Favoured tomatoes

[Flummery]

I'm beginning to think that the flavour of tomatoes is a really movable feast! The same thing tastes different each year and also depends on whether you grow in or outdoors. No 2 people (even in the same house, reckoning to like the same sort of tomato) will choose the same one (out of 2!). Yesterday Himself and I sampled 2 large beefsteak type toms. We both reckon we like a sharp, acidic, fruity tomato. He chose one and I chose the other! You can't choose a tomato for another person any more than you can choose abook for them, I suspect.

[RobintheBobin]

This is a really interesting post as the hunt for the most delicious tom is also a goodun...especially with the lacklustre selection from supermarkets. So far my Gartenperles have been more pink than red and a bit "Hmmmm, is that it?" Everything is refusing to turn red or yellow at the moment.

[Flummery]

My son in law is growing gartenpearl. He's really pleased as he grew them from seed himself. He's disappointed in the flavour though. Maybe my expectations are too high?

[Kristen]

"Maybe my expectations are too high?"

I reckon some sunshine to sweeten them up would help!

[Comfreyfan]

Some sunshine would certainly help.
This year I'm growing:
Harbinger
Red and Black Cherry
San Marzano - look like lemons at the moment
Tigerella
Golden Sunrise
Garden Pearl
Sub Arctic
Marmande

Too soon to decide what I'll grow next year, I think it'll depend on what seed I have left! I wasn't impressed with Harbinger last year, but I still had some seeds so planted them anyway (I don't know why, but if I find seeds, just got to plant them) - this year Harbinger has ripened early and is nice and tastey - same compost, same greenhouse.

[hawthorns]

ive grown gartenperle and they were heavy cropper and sweet. tumbling tom were nice not as prolific

[Flummery]

Isn't it odd how two people will find the same tomato tastes different? You know how they say you shouldn't ever buy perfume by sniffing the bottle but should put a bit on your skin and smell it there because the pH of your skin can alter the smell? I wonder if the chemistry of our saliva affects the way we perceive the taste of the tomato.

Maybe I'm just rambling. (Again!)

[Paul79]

Isn't it odd how two people will find the same tomato tastes different? You know how they say you shouldn't ever buy perfume by sniffing the bottle but should put a bit on your skin and smell it there because the pH of your skin can alter the smell? I wonder if the chemistry of our saliva affects the way we perceive the taste of the tomato.

Maybe I'm just rambling. (Again!)

This is true, the chemistry of the saliva can alter perception of taste. For example: I remember from school, that there is a saliva bourne enzyme called Amylase which breaks down starchy carbohydrates into sugar in the mouth. Tobacco smoke inhibits the production of amylase, so if you take a less sweet variety of tomato, a non-smoker would get some extra sweetness by being able to convert starch into sugar in the mouth, whereas a smoker would not be able to get this.
Also, the sensitivity of ones sense of smell could be a factor, as smell is a contributory factor to taste (hence everything tastes of nothing when you have a cold!). The aromatic qualities of a tomato could be the making of it to someone with a heightened sense of smell, but could be completely lost on someone with a less keen sense.

[Flummery]

So I'm not rambling on me own then?

[shushkin!]

Hi
I'm growing Marmande, Tigerella, a tumbling cherry tomato and the T&M tomaszing which has impressed me. I bought these from QVC after much humming and harring to myself but I have to say they are very tasty and prolific!
My personal theory on a flavoursome tom is the water content. Too much water and
less flavour.

[realfood]

The one to beat for taste for me is Sungold. And it is early as well. Shirley and Tigrella are good as well.
I had high hopes for Sungella as the parents are Sungold and Tigrella, but it proved to have poor flavour and low resistance to Blight.

[raine]

I like marmande, and san marzano for sauces. This year i was given all my plants by my very kind lottie neighbour. On the label he'd written tigli - has anyone grown these ?

[Flummery]

(I think!) I have crossed sungold and Tiger Tom (heritage stripey one, like tigerella.) We'll see what hapens. To be honest, when you cross something that's already an F1 - the genetic mix is enormous. The poor qualities of Sungella must be down to the selection. You have dozens to pick from out of each ripe crossed tomato. Pity they didn't pick a good'un!

[Jimmy]

Sungold (orange cherry) for me, always sweet and I find them thin skined.
They seem to grow better outside. Tried some early in Greenhouse and they weren't as good.
Also suspect differing seed sellers are different !
JimL