keeping up with varieties...

[kurtamundo]

5 years ago if someone asked, "What are your top ten varieties?", 70 percent of the list would be the usual suspects, eg. Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, stupice etc.. then the other 30 percent would be varieties like black from tula, and lilians gold for example. I know, I know, there was Mortgage Lifter, Kelloggs, stump of the world etc.

My point is that there was a general consensus and most varieties were well known. Currently it seems as if there has been an explosion of new varieties and I at least no longer recognize most peoples favorites. Is it fair to say it's becoming hard to keep up?

Anyway, I'm definitely growing:

Brandywine
Cherokee Purple
Cherokee Green
Neves Azorean Red


I plan on growing about 6 more varieties. What are the new "must try" tomatoes?

Cheers,

Kurt

[feldon30]

Well every year, varieties go into vogue. A couple years back it was the aforementioned Neves Azorean Red, then Earl's Faux. More recently Tom's Yellow Wonder. This year, it's JD's Special C-Tex (purple/black).

Green-when-ripe varieties have gotten more and more popular as well. Aunt Ruby's German Green (which is so popular, seedlings have been spotted nationwide as distributed by Chef Jeff), has been joined by Cherokee Green (which you are growing of course), Green Giant, Grub's Mystery Green, and others.

Then there are Brad's varieties (operating as Wild Boar Farms). He has made a science out of promoting striped and other unusual tomato varieties. Tom Wagner's Green Zebra has been joined by Berkeley Tie Dye, Large Barred Boar, and dozens of other variations. These can have a particularly zesty flavor in some gardens. One of my favorites last year was a variation on Berkeley Tie Dye Heart (which was not actually heart-shaped) grown in Suze's garden. It had so many different flavors working for it -- the smoothness, richness, and sweetness of pinks and purples, with the zestiness and tartness (ok, no more -ness promise!) of some reds.

Honestly, I could be perfectly happy on Brandywine and Cherokee Purple alone, but variety is the spice of life, right?

[nctomatoman]

Definitely a flavor of the day thing, just as with anything else/other hobbies! I am just astounded at the number of new tomato varieties that appear each year (and of course, we in the dwarf project are setting out to create even more). Pretty cool.....and nearly impossible to keep up with it all!

[Thomas]

Speaking of varieties, which Brandywine are you growing?

If you like Brandywine...try Earl's Faux.

Black Cherry has a great flavor for a cherry.

Grub's Mystery Green has a superior flavor

Others that get honors are
Marianna's Peace
Aunt Gerties Gold
Paul Robeson
Olive Hill
Grandfather Ashlock
Heshpole
Soldacki

Of course I could go on and on..but those are ones that I have found to be quite tasty.

[tomatoguy]

I recommend Brandywine Sudduth's in case you have a hot summer. It is very productive in the heat compared to the other Brandywines. I concur that Earl's Faux is a must have. I also recommend Early Large Red, New Big Dwarf, Neves Azorean Red and Black Krim.

mater