Red Grape Cherry Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 53.97
This item was last sold on : 03/25/25
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.
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