Red Grape Cherry Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 112.58
This item was last sold on : 12/26/24
Description/Taste
Red Grape tomatoes are small in size, averaging 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter and 2 to 5 centimeters in length, and have an elongated, oblong to oval shape. The tomatoes also grow in large bunches of approximately twenty fruits, and the skin is smooth, taut, firm, and glossy, showcasing bright red hues when ripe. Underneath the surface, the pale red-orange flesh is dense with a drier, meaty texture, encasing a central chamber filled with a pale green-red fluid suspending tiny, yellow seeds. Red Grape tomatoes are somewhat firm to the touch when ripe and have a crunchy, soft consistency with a high sugar content. The tomatoes contain a sweet, tangy, and subtly earthy flavor with rich, savory-sweet notes.
Seasons/Availability
Red Grape tomatoes are available year-round, with a peak season in the summer.
Current Facts
Red Grape tomatoes, botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum, are small hybrid varieties belonging to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The elongated tomatoes grow on full-sized vining plants that can reach two meters in height and earned their name from their similarity in shape to a grape. Red Grape tomatoes are just one of several types of Grape tomatoes, and the other cultivars can be found in shades of gold, green, purple, and red-brown. Red Grape tomatoes were created in the 20th century for their small size, productive nature, sweet taste, and thick skin. In the modern-day, the tomatoes are commercially grown worldwide for export as their protective skin can withstand transport, and the tomatoes are generally less fragile than the cherry tomato. Red Grape tomatoes are also highly productive and are grown year-round in some climates, creating a steady supply for commercial cultivation.
Nutritional Value
Red Grape tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning and are a good source of vitamin C to reduce inflammation, boost collagen production, and strengthen the immune system. The small tomatoes also contain lycopene, a natural compound that gives the flesh its red hue and has antioxidant-like properties to protect the body from disease. Beyond vitamins, Red Grape tomatoes are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and contain lower amounts of iron and calcium.
Applications
Red Grape tomatoes have a sweet, bright flavor and a bite-sized nature well suited for both fresh and cooked preparations. The oblong tomatoes can be served whole on appetizer platters with creamy dips, pierced for caprese skewers, or consumed whole as a sweet, tangy snack. In Asia, some bars serve bowls of fresh Grape tomatoes as a healthy alternative to the common salted peanut. Red Grape tomatoes can also be sliced in half and tossed into salads, chopped and mixed into grain bowls, used as a topping over pizza, or cut for salsa and pasta sauce. In addition to fresh preparations, Red Grape tomatoes can be incorporated into any recipe calling for cherry tomatoes or tomatoes in general and are popularly stewed, grilled, roasted, or sauteed. The tomatoes can also be chopped and stuffed into bell peppers, mixed into pasta, roasted in savory dishes, or blanched, pureed, and made into soups and sauces. Beyond using the tomatoes whole or sliced, Red Grape tomatoes can be processed into jams, ketchup, and compotes. Red Grape tomatoes pair well with herbs such as basil, fennel, oregano, and parsley, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, cheeses including goat, feta, mozzarella, and parmesan, and meats such as turkey, poultry, beef, pork, and fish. Whole, unwashed Red Grape tomatoes should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. The tomatoes can also be stored at room temperature for 2 to 5 days in a plastic clamshell or paper bag.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Grape tomatoes acquired their fruity moniker in the late 1990s in the United States. Florida farmer Andrew Chu was growing the Taiwanese Santa F1 tomatoes in his garden in 1997 in hopes of introducing the small tomatoes to American consumer markets. The tomatoes did not initially attract attention and were only purchased by a small number of local families in Chu’s hometown. Chu decided to send the tomatoes to East Coast leaders in the produce industry to sample and try, but before he shipped them, he renamed the tomatoes to Grape tomatoes. The name grape was given in honor of the tomato’s elongated, oblong shape, similar to actual grapes. Grape tomatoes were also named to distinguish the new variety from preexisting cherry tomato cultivars. In the early 2000s, Grape tomatoes widely increased in popularity over cherry tomatoes in the United States, and the grape moniker became established as the most recognized descriptor for the small tomatoes.
Geography/History
Grape tomatoes were developed in Southeast Asia in the late 20th century by the Known-You Seed Company in Taiwan. The small tomatoes were created from traditional cross-breeding techniques, and the first commercially successful hybrid cultivar was named Santa F1. Not long after the tomato’s release in Taiwan, Grape tomatoes were being grown in China, where they were favored for their small size, sweet flavor, and dense texture. In 1996, Grape tomato seeds were sent from Taiwan and were planted in the garden of farmer Andrew Chu in Florida. Chu recalled that his friend in Taiwan told him about the new tomatoes and that the small cultivar was quickly increasing in popularity across Asia. Grape tomatoes were not immediately successful in the United States and were initially purchased by a small number of consumers. In 1997, Chu began shipping the tomatoes up the East Coast to buyers and store managers, quickly attracting attention. By 2001, Grape tomatoes were outselling cherry tomatoes 10 to 1 in the United States and were being grown by several companies. Today Grape tomatoes are sold fresh through farmer’s markets, supermarkets, distributors, and specialty food stores. Seeds can also be purchased through online retailers for home garden cultivation.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| Nishiki Ramen - Mira Mesa | San Diego CA | 808-561-1090 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Sepulveda Meats & Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-501-1878 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Mamas Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-233-6262 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| Venissimo Cheese Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-847-9616 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Vista) | Vista CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Cork & Stem LLC | San Diego CA | 619-354-0308 |
| Turf Supper Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-6363 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Elks Lodge 2698 -Donation | Lakeside CA | 619-390-4949 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Sabor a Vida Café & Deli | Vista CA | 760-536-3331 |
| Jalisco Cantina | Carlsbad CA | 619-204-5945 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Pendry SD (Pool House) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
| Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Azucar | San Diego CA | 619-523-2020 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Happy Medium SD | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
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| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel (Black&Blue) | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
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| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
| Park 101 | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-2217 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Better Buzz Coffee (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 619-269-4022 |
| Casero Taqueria | Carlsbad CA | 760-533-4997 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
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| Nishiki Ramen (Hillcrest) | San Diego CA | 619-764-5416 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Grape Cherry Tomatoes. One
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