Amish Gold vs. Blush

[Karma]

Hi Friends,

I have not grown either of these varieties but wondered for those who have, which variety do you like better?

Thanks in advance!

Karma

[Salsacharley]

I'm growing both, and have for 3 years. Amish Gold is smaller, deep orange and deliciously sweet. I like to mix them in a basket with Black Plum and they look like jewels.

Blush is now a classic for me for mild sweetness and superb nuances in differing stages of ripeness. Blush fruits are about twice as big Amish Gold.

Both varieties are prolific and the plants are pretty hardy.

[AlittleSalt]

The year we grew both was a record rainfall year. Amish Gold was really good. Blush is the only spitter that I've grown. (It rained over 73 inches that year) I will try growing Blush again in a year without so much rain.

[Fred Hempel]

I think you might be waiting too late to harvest.

The whole name "Blush" is a part of the problem. It implies that you need the red blush to appear before ripeness.

This is not the case, particularly when it is wet. We find that when conditions are wet, peak Blush flavor typically occurs when the plants are yellow with a bit of green on their shoulders. At this point, the fruit is already starting to soften.

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

The year we grew both was a record rainfall year. Amish Gold was really good. Blush is the only spitter that I've grown. (It rained over 73 inches that year) I will try growing Blush again in a year without so much rain.

[clara]

For me (and many of the visitors of my garden) Blush is one of the best tasting tomatoes ever. I have a (very short) list of absolute favorites - Blush is on it! And when some day, I'm no more able to grow as many tomatoes as in the past years, but have to limit myself, Blush will be re-grown year after year...

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

I think you might be waiting too late to harvest.

The whole name "Blush" is a part of the problem. It implies that you need the red blush to appear before ripeness.

This is not the case, particularly when it is wet. We find that when conditions are wet, peak Blush flavor typically occurs when the plants are yellow with a bit of green on their shoulders. At this point, the fruit is already starting to soften.

You are right Fred, I did try to wait to pick them until the reddish blush appeared. 2015 was the wettest year on record that more than doubled the annual rate of rainfall here. 2015 also set another record for the most consecutive days without precipitation - It happened during late July and August when tomato production stops here in the DFW area of Texas.

Karma, everything I've read about Blush has been positive. That's why I want to try growing it again. My review might be the only negative one you'll read.

[NewWestGardener]

I've grown Blush before and was not impressed by the plant's vigor, barely any harvest. However, this year is different, it's almost like an entire different variety that's super productive and great tasting. I wonder if the difference is in the seed source or just different growing conditions. Fruits are pretty firm, no splitting at all after heavy rain.

The moral of the story: try again

[Raiquee]

Taste for blush was good, minimal cracking which I always value highly in a cherry. However the skin was rather thick to me. Might have helped with no cracking, but I figure also that these were aimed for market growers, so the transport aspect of these are very good as well.

Not bad enough where I won't eat them, but they sure do have a chew to them. Very nice shape in a cherry mixed basket though.

[jmsieglaff]

I can't speak to Amish Gold, but we grew Blush this year and really enjoy it. I'd highly recommend it. We will grow it again next year. For comparison we also grew Sunrise Bumblebee and liked Blush a little better in the flavor department. Blush withstood leaf spot and grey mold better than Sunrise Bumblebee. Blush is 1 of 4 tomato plants I've got churning out fruit here on Oct 8 in southern WI.