Taste Testing Tomatoes: 5 Star Varieties including Amana Pink Heart, Tom's Yellow Wonder and Bull's Heart
The two "NOT" varieties turned out to be a disappointment in terms of flavor. However, the year was saved by the yellow/gold/orange/bi-color varieties that were planted in greater numbers than usual. The best flavors on a five star scale included Amana Pink Heart, Tom's Yellow Wonder, Bull's Heart, Orange Oxheart, Kellogg's Breakfast and Delicious.
Hillbilly was low production for the reviewer while Kellogg's Breakfast was average production. It seems like in the reviewer's garden, the varieties with very large tomatoes generally don't produce as much total poundage as the 10-12oz varieties which appear to be the sweet spot.
The reviewer had a very good year with plenty of tomatoes from late July until three days ago. Despite trying some new varieties that didn't have great flavor, they still ended up in the sauce pot where their taste issues disappeared.
The two "NOT" varieties turned out to be red and medium sized and small round red just bigger than salad sized respectively. This goes to show that it is important to trust your own seeds rather than someone else's plants when growing tomatoes.
The reviewer's favorite variety was Amana Pink Heart which had a great flavor and good production. The Tom's Yellow Wonder was also a standout with its unique flavor and good production. Bull's Heart was another favorite with its large size and sweet taste.
Orange Oxheart was a surprise as it had an excellent flavor, but the production was low. Kellogg's Breakfast was average in terms of production, but the flavor was very good. Delicious was a disappointment in terms of flavor, but it still made it into the sauce pot.
Overall, the reviewer had a great year for tomatoes despite trying some new varieties that didn't have great flavor. It seems like in the reviewer's garden, the varieties with very large tomatoes generally don't produce as much total poundage as the 10-12oz varieties which appear to be the sweet spot. The reviewer is looking forward to next year and trying some new varieties.
What happened in the 2022 tomato review?
The year had its ups and downs, mostly caused by fluctuating weather conditions. There were a couple of plants purchased from a local nursery that threw averages way off since they were NOT what the labels indicated. The year was saved by the yellow/gold/orange/bi-color varieties which had the best flavor.
What were the two "NOT" varieties?
The not CP was around red and medium sized. BW was small round red just bigger than salad sized. No idea what they actually were.
How did you judge the flavor of the tomatoes?
Flavor was judged by those who ate them, myself and my wife, on a five star scale. Best flavor on a five star scale included Amana Pink Heart, Tom's Yellow Wonder, Bull's Heart, Orange Oxheart, Kellogg's Breakfast, Delicious.
Why did you purchase plants from a local nursery?
It was a last minute decision because of a little space that became available. Two varieties did not germinate so when visiting a trusted nursery I saw some nice looking plants of two varieties we love and gave them a try.
Does size affect production?
In my garden, the varieties with very large tomatoes generally don't produce as much total poundage as the 10-12oz varieties, which seems to be the sweet spot. The smaller varieties, like cherry tomatoes, tend to produce more total poundage than the larger ones.
What were the best tasting tomatoes?
The best tasting tomatoes in my garden this year were Amana Pink Heart, Tom's Yellow Wonder, Bull's Heart, Orange Oxheart, Kellogg's Breakfast and Delicious. All of these varieties had a great balance of sweetness and acidity with a nice firm texture.
What is the difference between yellow/gold/orange/bi-color varieties?
Yellow/gold/orange/bi-color varieties are all different colors of tomatoes that have similar flavor profiles. The yellow and gold varieties tend to be sweeter while the orange and bi-color varieties tend to be more acidic. The bi-color varieties also have a unique flavor that can't be found in any other variety.