Great White Heirloom Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
The Great White tomato is typically considered the best and the biggest of the white tomato varieties, producing globe-shaped fruit that can weigh up to two pounds. When ripe, these cream-colored tomatoes generally have a yellowish hue on the blossom end, and pale yellow, meaty flesh inside. Test the ripeness of these tomatoes by pressing them gently, as the flesh should yield slightly under pressure when they are ripe. Great White tomatoes have very few seeds and are low in acid, and they are known for being one of the tastiest varieties because of their delightfully sweet melon-like flavor with notes of guava. The indeterminate plants of Great White tomatoes are extremely productive, and also extremely hardy as they have a great amount of foliage that protects against sunscald. Great White is an excellent tomato variety for growing in hot climates because it is both drought and crack resistant.
Seasons/Availability
Great White tomatoes are available in season from mid-summer into the fall.
Current Facts
The Great White is a type of Beefsteak tomato, characterized by large, heavy fruit and thick, meaty texture. They are botanically known as either Lycopersicon esculentum or Solanum lycopersicum 'Great white', as new DNA evidence has led some horticulturists to re-adopt the original classification. The popularity of heirloom tomatoes, such as the Great White, is based around their two main characteristics: the array of colors and the unique flavor profiles of each variety. Some people categorize tomatoes as heirloom based on age, although the most widely accepted definition of what constitutes an heirloom is that it is open-pollinated and was grown in an earlier era. Some heirlooms are hundreds of years old, while others, like the Great White, originated in the 20th century.
Nutritional Value
Tomatoes are well known for their exceptional antioxidant content, including their oftentimes-rich concentration of lycopene, which may reduce the chances of developing some types of cancer. Tomatoes contain a great dose of vitamins A and C, as well as vitamin B and potassium, which are effective in reducing cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure. Therefore, including tomatoes in a regular balanced diet may help to prevent heart attacks, strokes, or other heart related complications.
Applications
Unlike most other beefsteak type tomatoes, the Great White tomato has few grooves, making it ideal for slicing, and the low acid levels give it a sweet, fruity flavor. These tomatoes are a great addition to sandwiches, salads, or vegetable trays. Try using the Great White as a substitution for a unique and flavorful tomato sauce. These tomatoes are best eaten fresh, as they do not keep or preserve well. Store ripe Great White tomatoes at room temperature for four to seven days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Great White tomato has often been labeled as an American heirloom tomato variety, with rumors of a history tracing back to the American Civil War during the 1860s. However, this wonderful white tomato variety in fact had a more recent debut to the public in the early 1990s, and the origin of the Civil War heirloom rumor is unknown.
Geography/History
The Great White tomato was introduced to the public in the early 1990s. In 1987, a woman sent a collection of orange and yellow Oxheart tomato seeds from her home garden to Gleckler Seeds Company for trial purposes. Gleckler grew the seeds, and one plant unexpectedly came to produce a white beefsteak tomato, most likely the result of a genetic mutation. After a few years of cultivation, Gleckler Seeds offered this variety for sale under the name “Great White Beefsteak,” and it has become popular in the years since.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Great White Heirloom Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Cook Eat Paleo |
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Heirloom Tomato & Avocado Caprese Salad |
| Two Peas and Their Pod |
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Tomato, Peach, & Burrata Salad |
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