Heirloom Tomatoes – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are heirloom tomatoes?

Cherokee Purple, Mexico Midget, Brandywine, Yellow Oxheart—if any of these names sound familiar to you, consider yourself a true aficionado of heirloom tomatoes. Heirloom tomatoes are fresh produce that has been around for 50 years or more. Instead of antique shops, these vegetables tend to frequent grocery stores and farmers’ markets when they are in season.

What sets heirloom tomatoes apart from the conventional ones has to be their rainbow colors and quirky shapes. Yes, some varieties resemble the regular ‘maters, but there are countless others that are mini versions of pumpkins, cucumbers, and watermelons. Aside from their different colors, shapes, and sizes, these cultivars also have distinct flavor profiles, from sweet, fruity yellows to tart greens.

Unlike mass-produced ‘maters, which may or may not be genetically modified, heirloom tomatoes are organically grown. As such, you can think of the latter as genetically unique, top-quality fresh produce that reign supreme in taste, if not appearance.

Where did heirloom tomatoes originate from?

What’s truly stunning about heirloom tomatoes is their rich history that has withstood the sands of time. Their seeds are curated from the best cultivars produced during each season before being passed down from generation to generation. As a result, many of these gems are still carefully preserved to this day.

The origins of heirloom tomatoes are as diverse as their varieties. For example, the Cherokee Native Americans take credit for growing the Cherokee Purples. Meanwhile, as you may have predicted, the Mexico Midget (a cherry heirloom tomato) hails from Mexico. Shop cherry heirloom tomatoes.

What is the nutritional value of heirloom tomatoes?

Heirloom tomatoes aren’t just famous for their heritage; they are also chock full of essential nutrients. In fact, these cultivars are a good source of:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Iron

Plus, being part of the tomato family, they are naturally rich in antioxidative carotenoids.

How are heirloom tomatoes grown?

Heirloom tomatoes grow best when they are well-watered and receive direct sunlight. They prefer warm days and cool nights, but steer clear of frost. When directly planted in the ground, heirloom tomatoes usually need 3–4 months to produce fruits.

These tomatoes are naturally open-pollinated by insects, birds, and wind. Doing so allows their offspring to retain all the parent plant characteristics, making heirloom varieties true breeds that transcend many generations.

When are heirloom tomatoes in season?

Tomato season typically starts from July and August before running through late summer to fall. To get fresh heirloom tomatoes, keep an eye out during this window of time. You’d also be delighted to hear that most of them continually produce fruit throughout the season. As such, you’d likely have good odds getting some of these cultivars at your local grocery store. Open Instacart and start browsing for fresh produce near you.

How do you pick heirloom tomatoes at the grocery store?

As diverse as heirloom tomatoes appear to be, there are 2 standard rules to follow if you’re looking for the juiciest ones at the grocery store:

• Check out the skin: a ripe tomato should have smooth, shiny skin without splits, bruises, and mushy spots
• Get a whiff: heirloom tomatoes pack a punch in flavor, and the ripe ones usually give off an earthy, yet mildly fruity scent

Do note that tomatoes are delicate fresh produce that bruises easily. Avoid handling them too roughly or squeezing too hard.

Want to take a bite out of these juicy ‘maters? You can easily shop for heirloom tomatoes via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to share with your Instacart shopper specific preferences or directions on choosing ripened tomatoes. .

How to store heirloom tomatoes

To get the most flavor out of heirloom tomatoes, we have 2 golden tips for you:

• Keep them cool but not too cool: instead of storing the tomatoes in the fridge—which, by the way, can inhibit enzyme activity and prevent full ripening—it’s best to place them in a cool pantry or root cellar away from direct sunlight
• Store them upside down: this nifty trick protects the tomatoes’ delicate bottoms, which minimizes bruising and rot, extending their longevity

How to tell if heirloom tomatoes are bad

When heirloom tomatoes go bad, you will notice they become overly soft or split in certain spots, causing the juice to leak out. Other key warning signs include discoloration, mold, and rot, indicating that it’s time to throw the vegetables away.

If you’re looking for fresh heirloom tomatoes near you, Instacart offers a wide selection of fresh produce from local grocery stores.

What can I substitute for heirloom tomatoes?

As heirloom tomatoes aren’t available throughout the year, there may be times when you have to make do without them. If your dish still calls for the fruity, sweet, and sometimes tart flavors of heirloom tomatoes, you can substitute them with other tomato varieties.

For example, if you’re craving heirloom cherry tomatoes, consider the conventional versions, which usually have a similar flavor profile, albeit less fragrant. Alternatively, canned tomatoes may be more flavorful than the regular fresh ones simply because fully ripened tomatoes are picked for canning.

An oldie but a goldie

Given that most heirloom tomatoes have been around for at least a few decades, they have attained a well-earned status in the tomato family. Thanks to their long history and varied origins, these flavorful cultivars make for a refreshing addition to your salads and sandwiches.

If you’d like to take advantage of heirloom tomatoes’ seasonality right now, Instacart offers same-day delivery for organic fresh produce near you. Shop for organic heirloom tomatoes.

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