All Tomatoes are Created Equal!

We couldn't resist the beautiful array of mixed medley heirloom tomatoes this week at The Pike Place Market. A striking medley of many different heirloom varieties are all roughly the size of a quarter, but in different shapes and colors. Flavor can range from highly acidic to candy sweet. Those varieties on the acidic side have a more concentrated tomato flavor, while the varieties on the sweet side are just that-sweet.

During the course of the season, over two dozen varieties are grown, each with its own particular flavor. Our customers can expect eight to ten varieties per serving, representing the best available at the moment. Varieties may include: Cappuccino, Black Aztec, Snow White, Green Pear, Red Pear, Chocolate Pear, Black Zebra, Principe, Gold Nugget, Sweet 100 and more.

An heirloom tomato is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) heirloom cultivar of tomato. They can be classified into four categories: family heirlooms, commercial heirlooms, mystery heirlooms, and created heirlooms.

Heirloom tomato cultivars can be found in a wide variety of colors, shapes, flavors and sizes. Some heirloom cultivars can be prone to cracking. As with most garden plants, cultivars can be acclimated over several gardening seasons to thrive in a geographical location through careful selection and seed saving. Heirloom seeds can be easily collected and usually almost all seeds will continue to show the traits of the original seed because this family of tomatoes almost always self-pollinates.

So enjoy your Heirloom Tomato Medley this week along with these other tasty fruits:

- Yellow Nectarines - Organic Red Grapes - Delicious Blackberries - Washington Extra Fancy Premium Pink Lady Apples - Rainforest Alliance-Certified Bananas