What's Your Number One Favorite Tomato

Karma · October 24, 2016

Hi,

I am putting together my grow list for next year and wanted to get some input as to your favorite or top 5 (I know it's hard to pick just one). Let's take Sungold out of the equation since I know that is a top favorite for many. Also, if by chance the last few years if you tried some new varieties and what you thought.

I tried Dwarf Rosella purple again this year and Dwarf Emerald Green. I think they will get a spot every year. They waste no time getting tall and put their energy into fruit production. Both are delicious.

I tried Sunrise Bumblebee this year and thought it was excellent. Not as good as Sungold but it is very good and such a beauty to display.

Japanese Black Triffele I tried and everyone loved. Will grow again next year. Very productive too.

That's it folks.

Thanks!

kath · October 25, 2016

This season, Black Star.

kath

Gardeneer · October 25, 2016

Black From Tula was clear winner in my garden in 2016.
It was early, productive and very tasty.

b54red · October 25, 2016

Almost every year it is a different variety. This year the best tasting was Cowlick's Brandywine. The hands down most productive was Indian Stripe PL because we had a very dry hot summer and it just does better in those conditions for me than any other variety. During a very wet and rainy summer it is one of the worst. Might be a good one to try in that California climate.

Bill

zipcode · October 25, 2016

I have always said that there are many top tasting tomatoes. It's (much) more difficult reaching their potential.
This is why I believe people's list changes quite a bit every year. Weather will contribute partly but I think nutrition is key, and not at all easy to balance.
My favourite cherry tomato is Galina. Wish it wasn't so gosh darnoodley sensitive to basically everything.
As for bigger variety, still not quite set on one. Probably Crnkovic for being the most complete OP tomato that I have tried (a good blend of production, taste, shelf life, crack resistance, earliness). But BTDP is not too far behind (and probably a bit better tasting).

terrazoon · October 25, 2016

Black from Tula is hands down the best of the best of the best for me. I don't know why I bother with other varieties ...

Ricky Shaw · October 25, 2016

Crnkovic Yugoslavian: the king, #1, first prize, da bomb, top dog, primo

TC_Manhattan · October 25, 2016

My new-to-me favorite this year was Lucky Cross... awesome!
Another was Aunt Gertie's Gold, which along with Brandywine Sudduth and OTV were definitely my top four.

Surprisingly, Brandywine Sudduth was first to ripen in my garden, followed closely by Aunt Gertie's Gold, and both of these are late-season varieties that beat out all the shorter mid-season ones. Go figure.

My favorite GWR goes to Cherokee Lime (thanks Marsha!). It beat out Malachite Box, Esmeralda Golosina, Emerald Green Giant and Green Zebra Cherry for me.

Cherokee Lime is a winner for sure. I like it more than original Cherokee Green. Not sure why the taste difference, but there is to me.

Am dying to try Cherokee Lime Stripes if I can find seeds...

ginger2778 · October 25, 2016

Girl Girl's Weird Thing is my idea of a truly perfect tomato. So stunningly beautiful, a 9.8/10 for taste, crazy good production, and was the last plant still standing in my garden last season. BTW- nothing ever gets rated a perfect 10 by me for taste.

Cole_Robbie · October 25, 2016

If you like Lucky Cross and you grow dwarfs, Wherowkowhai is basically dwarf lucky cross. I think they taste identical, and I agree that taste is excellent.

For market growing, I have been trying to collect tomato varieties with appearances that are unusual, yet attractive, but still taste good enough that I want to eat them. Some of this year's winners in that continual contest were Sky Reacher, Lucinda, Zebra Rita, Black Vernissage, Yamali Yellow, and 100 Pudov

AlittleSalt · October 25, 2016

If I could only grow one tomato variety it would be Sungold. That is because everyone I share tomatoes with loves it. If I were to grow only for myself - it would be Porter.

barefootgardener · October 25, 2016

This is not a fair evaluation since we had a very hot summer, drought, competing weeds due to some neglect and most of all BIRDS!! The birds were horrible and were pecking on the tomatoes even when they were green! But, the best tasting for this year was Papa Kerns..

Ginny

Labradors2 · October 25, 2016

My all-time favourite is Little Lucky. I just wish that the DTM was a little earlier.

I agree with Cole Robbie that Wherokowhai is very similar (slightly better) tasting in fact. However, I LOVE saladettes.

Indian Stripe and Rose are also fantastic for flavour.

Linda

maxjohnson · October 25, 2016

I don't know, give me a few more years maybe.

I don't think you choose your favorite tomato, it chooses you. The ones that I want to grow based on reputation grew poorly (Paul Robeson), and the ones that I didn't expect anything from grew too well (Garden Peach).

For now, Black Cherry is the most vigorous and least diseased variety i grew.

seaeagle · October 25, 2016

In a difficult season for growing tomatoes like this one, Eva Purple Ball is the favorite.

http://www.southernexposure.com/eva-...-g-p-1107.html

78 days. (Indeterminate) [Late 1800s heirloom from the Black Forest region of Germany from Joe Bratka’s grandfather. Seed courtesy of Carolyn Male and Craig LeHoullier. Introduced 1994 by SESE.] Outstanding performer in hot, humid areas. Excellent resistance to diseases, including some resistance to late blight. One of the most blemish-free tomatoes we have grown, with a soft tender texture. Smooth, round, attractive pink-purple fruits weigh 5-7 oz. Fruits are easy to harvest, some dropping from the vine at peak ripeness, and easy to peel. A wonderful all-purpose tomato with excellent flavor.

In a good year for growing tomatoes like last year, Cherokee Purple is the favorite.

http://www.southernexposure.com/cher...6-g-p-669.html

85 days. (Indeterminate) [Pre-1890 TN heirloom, reportedly of Cherokee Indian origin. Introduced 1993 by SESE. Seed courtesy Craig LeHoullier.] Large, smooth fruits (10-12 oz) with slightly ridged shoulders. Ripens to a unique dark, dusky pink/purple. Sometimes called a black tomato, the color carries through to the flesh, especially at the stem end. Good resistance to Septoria leaf spot. A shorter indeterminate, plants average 5 ft. tall. ‘Cherokee Purple’ has spread widely since its introduction, with variations developing over time, but our strain is still the original, shorter shape

October 25, 2016	#3
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	Black From Tula was clear winner in my garden in 2016. It was early, productive and very tasty. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

October 25, 2016	#14
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	I don't know, give me a few more years maybe. I don't think you choose your favorite tomato, it chooses you. The ones that I want to grow based on reputation grew poorly (Paul Robeson), and the ones that I didn't expect anything from grew too well (Garden Peach). For now, Black Cherry is the most vigorous and least diseased variety i grew. Last edited by maxjohnson; October 25, 2016 at 07:50 PM.

October 24, 2016	#1
Karma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 64	What's Your Number One Favorite Tomato Hi, I am putting together my grow list for next year and wanted to get some input as to your favorite or top 5 (I know it's hard to pick just one). Let's take Sungold out of the equation since I know that is a top favorite for many. Also, if by chance the last few years if you tried some new varieties and what you thought. I tried Dwarf Rosella purple again this year and Dwarf Emerald Green. I think they will get a spot every year. They waste no time getting tall and put their energy into fruit production. Both are delicious. I tried Sunrise Bumblebee this year and thought it was excellent. Not as good as Sungold but it is very good and such a beauty to display. Japanese Black Triffele I tried and everyone loved. Will grow again next year. Very productive too. That's it folks. Thanks!

October 25, 2016	#2
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	This season, Black Star. kath

October 25, 2016	#4
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Almost every year it is a different variety. This year the best tasting was Cowlick's Brandywine. The hands down most productive was Indian Stripe PL because we had a very dry hot summer and it just does better in those conditions for me than any other variety. During a very wet and rainy summer it is one of the worst. Might be a good one to try in that California climate. Bill

October 25, 2016	#5
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	I have always said that there are many top tasting tomatoes. It's (much) more difficult reaching their potential. This is why I believe people's list changes quite a bit every year. Weather will contribute partly but I think nutrition is key, and not at all easy to balance. My favourite cherry tomato is Galina. Wish it wasn't so gosh darnoodley sensitive to basically everything. As for bigger variety, still not quite set on one. Probably Crnkovic for being the most complete OP tomato that I have tried (a good blend of production, taste, shelf life, crack resistance, earliness). But BTDP is not too far behind (and probably a bit better tasting).

October 25, 2016	#6
terrazoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: California Posts: 9	Black from Tula is hands down the best of the best of the best for me. I don't know why I bother with other varieties ...

October 25, 2016	#7
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	Crnkovic Yugoslavian: the king, #1, first prize, da bomb, top dog, primo

October 25, 2016	#8
TC_Manhattan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 457	My new-to-me favorite this year was Lucky Cross... awesome! Another was Aunt Gertie's Gold, which along with Brandywine Sudduth and OTV were definitely my top four. Surprisingly, Brandywine Sudduth was first to ripen in my garden, followed closely by Aunt Gertie's Gold, and both of these are late-season varieties that beat out all the shorter mid-season ones. Go figure. My favorite GWR goes to Cherokee Lime (thanks Marsha!). It beat out Malachite Box, Esmeralda Golosina, Emerald Green Giant and Green Zebra Cherry for me. Cherokee Lime is a winner for sure. I like it more than original Cherokee Green. Not sure why the taste difference, but there is to me. Am dying to try Cherokee Lime Stripes if I can find seeds...

October 25, 2016	#9
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Girl Girl's Weird Thing is my idea of a truly perfect tomato. So stunningly beautiful, a 9.8/10 for taste, crazy good production, and was the last plant still standing in my garden last season. BTW- nothing ever gets rated a perfect 10 by me for taste.

October 25, 2016	#10
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	If you like Lucky Cross and you grow dwarfs, Wherowkowhai is basically dwarf lucky cross. I think they taste identical, and I agree that taste is excellent. For market growing, I have been trying to collect tomato varieties with appearances that are unusual, yet attractive, but still taste good enough that I want to eat them. Some of this year's winners in that continual contest were Sky Reacher, Lucinda, Zebra Rita, Black Vernissage, Yamali Yellow, and 100 Pudov

October 25, 2016	#11
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	If I could only grow one tomato variety it would be Sungold. That is because everyone I share tomatoes with loves it. If I were to grow only for myself - it would be Porter.

October 25, 2016	#12
barefootgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Zone 4b Posts: 1,291	This is not a fair evaluation since we had a very hot summer, drought, competing weeds due to some neglect and most of all BIRDS!! The birds were horrible and were pecking on the tomatoes even when they were green! But, the best tasting for this year was Papa Kerns.. Ginny

October 25, 2016	#13
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,897	My all-time favourite is Little Lucky. I just wish that the DTM was a little earlier. I agree with Cole Robbie that Wherokowhai is very similar (slightly better) tasting in fact. However, I LOVE saladettes. Indian Stripe and Rose are also fantastic for flavour. Linda

October 25, 2016	#15
seaeagle Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: virginia Posts: 743	In a difficult season for growing tomatoes like this one, Eva Purple Ball is the favorite. http://www.southernexposure.com/eva-...-g-p-1107.html 78 days. (Indeterminate) [Late 1800s heirloom from the Black Forest region of Germany from Joe Bratka’s grandfather. Seed courtesy of Carolyn Male and Craig LeHoullier. Introduced 1994 by SESE.] Outstanding performer in hot, humid areas. Excellent resistance to diseases, including some resistance to late blight. One of the most blemish-free tomatoes we have grown, with a soft tender texture. Smooth, round, attractive pink-purple fruits weigh 5-7 oz. Fruits are easy to harvest, some dropping from the vine at peak ripeness, and easy to peel. A wonderful all-purpose tomato with excellent flavor. In a good year for growing tomatoes like last year, Cherokee Purple is the favorite. http://www.southernexposure.com/cher...6-g-p-669.html 85 days. (Indeterminate) [Pre-1890 TN heirloom, reportedly of Cherokee Indian origin. Introduced 1993 by SESE. Seed courtesy Craig LeHoullier.] Large, smooth fruits (10-12 oz) with slightly ridged shoulders. Ripens to a unique dark, dusky pink/purple. Sometimes called a black tomato, the color carries through to the flesh, especially at the stem end. Good resistance to Septoria leaf spot. A shorter indeterminate, plants average 5 ft. tall. ‘Cherokee Purple’ has spread widely since its introduction, with variations developing over time, but our strain is still the original, shorter shape