Newbie - Don't Want Candy-Sweet Tomatoes

[Karen C.]

I'm a tomato novice. I planted Rutgers indeterminates in the '70s, and I really liked them for canning. Tried planting a couple of Rutgers indeterminates the past couple years, and they don't taste like they used to, so I gave up on them.

I'm looking for a great-tasting slicer that is also a good canning tomato. I got Beefsteak, Boxcar Willy, and Brandywine Red from Sustainable Seeds this year. Now I'm wondering if I will be disappointed. I *do not* want a sweet tomato. I've bought some cherry tomatoes at the store lately, and they were almost sweet as candy. I definitely don't want a super-sweet tomato.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

[Gardeneer]

Do you want to can whole, or makes sauce with ?
For sauce I would use any tomatoes that I have extra. I have never canned whole.
I have heard Juliet makes a good candidate for canning whole. Also a lot of Roma/ San Marzano types are good for canning whole. I am growing a Rio Grande for the first time. I have read a lot of good review on it. It is a Roma type.

[creister]

Karen,

I have grown Box Car Willie and Brandywine Red. Neither of them are candy sweet. Both taste very good. Another one you may want to try is Break O Day. Highly productive old fashion tomato taste.

[Karen C.]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

Do you want to can whole, or makes sauce with ?
For sauce I would use any tomatoes that I have extra. I have never canned whole.
I have heard Juliet makes a good candidate for canning whole. Also a lot of Roma/ San Marzano types are good for canning whole. I am growing a Rio Grande for the first time. I have read a lot of good review on it. It is a Roma type.

Well, I *thought* I wanted to can whole; but now that you ask, I think it really doesn't matter, since I wind up just about pulverizing my tomatoes for my tomato sauce and chili, anyway.

It's a bit late for me to start new seeds for this year, but I think I will give the San Marzano a go for 2016.

I have to admit my main objective for tomatoes is for slicers, though. Tomatoes are my "drug of choice." I think I could eat a ton of them.

Thanks for your feedback!

[Karen C.]

Originally Posted by creister

Karen,

I have grown Box Car Willie and Brandywine Red. Neither of them are candy sweet. Both taste very good. Another one you may want to try is Break O Day. Highly productive old fashion tomato taste.

I'm so glad to hear they're not candy sweet! I've never heard of Break O Day. I'll check it out. Thanks, so much!