Have you ever wondered why store-bought tomatoes tend to be bland and unremarkable in taste? It’s because commercial farmers have been breeding tomatoes that look great on supermarket shelves, but fail when it comes to delivering taste and nutrition. But don’t worry, there’s a solution: heirloom tomatoes.
###Commercially Grown Tomatoes: A Dull Champion of the Shelves
A study in Science explored how tomatoes have lost their taste over the decades. Commercial farming practices focus on producing fruits that look attractive to shoppers, resulting in uniform, bright red tomatoes that aren’t doing their taste buds any favors.
The study pointed out that these farming practices prioritize picking tomatoes while they’re still uniformly light green, allowing them to ripen and achieve their bright red perfection during transport to supermarkets. This, combined with cross-breeding, has led to the unfortunate decline of tomato taste.
###Wild Varieties and Heirloom Tomatoes: Upping the Flavor Factor
Heirloom tomatoes and wild tomato varieties don’t conform to the supermarket standard of bright red and uniform. They can be uneven in color and often have dark green shoulders, which can make it more challenging for farmers to determine the ideal time to harvest them.
However, the upside is that these non-commercially bred tomatoes often contain more carotenoids and deliver much better taste than their store-bought counterparts.
###The Science Behind Tasteless Tomatoes
Researchers have pinpointed the reason behind supermarket tomatoes’ lackluster taste. According to their findings, bright red tomatoes taste less appealing because they have been bred to contain less natural sugar due to inactivity in a chloroplast-producing gene sequence called SIGLK2.
By reintroducing that gene to the tomatoes, the study showed that the amount of glucose and fructose (natural sugars) in ripe fruits increased by up to 40% and improved the taste.
Of course, not being biologists ourselves, we can’t re-introduce genes to tomatoes. However, there’s another solution for better-tasting tomatoes that doesn’t involve becoming a biochemist.
###Growing Your Own Flavorful Tomatoes
The researchers behind the study suggested that allowing tomatoes to ripen on the vine rather than during shipping would result in more flavorful fruits. By growing your own tomatoes and letting them hang until they’re perfectly red and ripe, you’ll experience the true taste and health benefits that tomatoes have to offer.
Growing your own tomatoes doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. With some proper care and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to harvesting delicious heirloom tomatoes in no time.
Not green-fingered? Here are a few tips to grow your own heirloom tomatoes:
- Choose the right variety: There are many types of heirloom tomatoes available, so select the ones that are best suited to your climate and growing conditions.
- Start from seed: Heirloom tomato seeds can be easily obtained online or at your local garden center. Plant them indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.
- Plant deeply: When transplanting your tomato seedlings outdoors, plant them deep into the soil, covering two-thirds of the stem. This will encourage better root development, leading to stronger, healthier plants.
- Support your plants: Heirloom tomatoes can become quite heavy as they mature, so be sure to provide sturdy supports such as cages or stakes for your plants.
- Fertilize and water wisely: Tomatoes need a well-balanced fertilizer and consistent watering to prevent issues like blossom end rot. Make sure to water at the base of the plant rather than from overhead, as this helps avoid potential diseases such as blight.
- Keep an eye out for pests and diseases: Regularly check your plants for any signs of damage from pests or diseases, and take action immediately to keep your tomatoes healthy.
By following these tips, you’re one step closer to enjoying flavorful and nutrient-packed heirloom tomatoes. Not only will these tomatoes add depth to your meals, but they’ll also provide your body with the necessary nutrients to support your overall health. So, go ahead and choose heirloom tomatoes for a more delicious and nutritious tomato experience.
