By Niveditha Kalyanaraman
November 16th, 2023
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All tomatoes are fruits of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, although they’re typically referred to and used as vegetables in cooking. Tomatoes have a fresh, mild taste and are usually red — though they come in other colors too, from yellow to orange to purple. They’re rich in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants including beta carotene and lycopene, which have many health benefits. Here are 7 types of tomatoes and their uses.
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Cherry tomatoes are round, bite-sized, and so juicy that they may pop when you bite into them. They’re the perfect size for salads or to eat alone as a snack. They’re also well suited for skewers and kebabs.
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Grape tomatoes are about half the size of cherry tomatoes. They don’t contain as much water and have an oblong shape. They are excellent in salads or eaten alone as a snack.
Roma tomatoes are larger than cherry and grape tomatoes but not large enough to be used for slicing. Romas are also known as plum tomatoes.They’re naturally sweet and juicy, making them a solid choice for canning or making sauces. They’re likewise popular in salads.
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Beefsteak tomatoes are large, sturdy, and firm enough to hold their shape when being thinly sliced. They’re perfect to slice up for sandwiches and hamburgers.
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Heirloom tomatoes vary significantly in size and color — ranging from pale yellow to bright green to deep purplish-red. They’re prized for their taste, so they’re perfect for canning, making sauces, and eating by themselves — lightly salted if that’s your preference.
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Tomatoes on the vine are sold still attached to the vine they grew on. This prolongs their shelf life.They’re typically large and firm enough to be sliced for sandwiches, but they can also be used in canning and sauces.
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Green tomatoes can be divided into two types: heirlooms that are green when fully ripe and unripened ones that have not yet turned red. They are firm, easy to slice, and low in calories. They’re also excellent for canning and making sauces. They’re tangy and slightly sour, so they impart a unique flavor and color to dishes.
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