Cherry Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 46.42
This item was last sold on : 02/24/25
Description/Taste
Cherry tomatoes are small, bite-sized fruits that come in over 100 varieties. They tend to be about 2.5 centimeters wide, though they can vary in size. Cherry tomatoes can be red, yellow, orange, green, or dark purple. Their skin tends to be firm, thin, and smooth. The flesh of Cherry tomatoes is juicy and succulent. Its seed pockets are filled with yellow seeds surrounding light-colored flesh. They have a sweet, fresh, and tangy scent with a slightly earthy aroma. Cherry tomatoes are sweeter and milder in flavor than larger-sized tomatoes. They have a mild tartness that varies depending on the type of Cherry tomato.
Seasons/Availability
Cherry tomatoes are available year-round with a peak season in the summer.
Current Facts
Cherry tomatoes are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme and are part of the Solanaceae family. They are categorized as either an heirloom or hybrid. Heirloom Cherry tomatoes have been reproduced for generations without crossbreeding, whereas hybrid Cherry tomatoes are the result of crossing two different varieties. They are called 'Cherry tomatoes' because many varieties are roughly the size of a cherry, though some can grow up to twice that size. Most Cherry tomatoes are bred to have a juicy texture that bursts when eaten, eliminating the need for peeling, deseeding, or chopping before consumption. Cherry tomatoes are often compared to Grape tomatoes because they are both bite-sized. The difference is that as their name indicates, Grape tomatoes have a more oblong, grape shape. They also tend to have thicker skin than Cherry tomatoes. Popular varieties of Cherry tomatoes include Isis Cherry, Indigo Rose, Black cherry, Rose tomato, Lemon Cherry, Sungold, Sweet Million, and Sunrise Bumble Bee.
Nutritional Value
Cherry tomatoes contain vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients can help with vision, skin, heart, and reproductive health, immune support, iron absorption, collagen production, and inflammation prevention. Cherry tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which may benefit bone health, limit UV damage to the skin, and potentially lower the risk of diseases like stroke, osteoporosis, and prostate cancer. Cherry tomatoes contain potassium, which can help with blood pressure regulation, fluid balance, muscle function, and bone health. Though the fruit of Cherry tomatoes is entirely edible, eating too many of them may cause acid reflux in some people due to their malic acid content.
Applications
Cherry tomatoes can be eaten fresh, steamed, sauteed, roasted, pickled, or sundried. In their raw form, Cherry tomatoes can be eaten by themselves, tossed into a salad, used in a bruschetta recipe, diced up for salsa, or served on a vegetable platter. Raw Cherry tomatoes go well with greens like spinach, iceberg lettuce, arugula, and kale and can be used in Greek, Caesar, and corn salads. They can be roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper or blanched, peeled, and flash-blistered on the grill to give them a smoky flavor. Cherry tomatoes can be used as a topping or in the sauce of a variety of pasta dishes, such as pomodoro, baked rigatoni, risotto, and ravioli. They can be used as toppings for hot dogs or pizza or in dishes like enchiladas, frittatas, shakshuka, dal soup, and focaccia bread. Cherry tomatoes pair well with seafood like mussels, tilapia, halibut, tuna, shrimp, and salmon. They pair well with ingredients like roasted chicken, skirt steak, chorizo, sausage, bell peppers, poblano peppers, zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, corn, potatoes, chickpeas, white beans, fennel, beets, shallots, ginger, cumin, thyme, basil, mint, mozzarella, feta cheese, kalamata olives, capers, pesto, okra, cucumber, and bacon. All varieties of Cherry tomatoes should be stored away from direct sunlight at room temperature for approximately two to three days or until ripe and ready to use. They should then be refrigerated to slow the process of decay and prevent them from ripening further.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The exact origins of the Cherry tomatoes are not known, though there are many different places where they are said to have originated. It’s thought that the first Cherry tomatoes were cultivated in South America and then brought to Europe. The Greek Island of Santorini also claims to be the first place to grow Cherry tomatoes. Israel is known for creating the first commercially viable Cherry tomatoes and perfecting many different varieties over the years. The global popularization of Cherry tomatoes occurred in the 1970s and 80s, largely due to a British grocery chain called Marks & Spencer. This company worked with Israeli breeders to develop Cherry tomatoes that were shelf-stable and distinctly sweet. Before they became popular as a standalone food, Cherry tomatoes were mainly used as a garnish.
Geography/History
Cherry tomatoes are descendants of the wild tomato, which is said to have originated in the Andes Mountains of South America. Tomatoes were then cultivated by the Incas and Aztecs around 700 A.D. which traces back millions of years to coastal South America. The first evidence of tomatoes grown as small as Cherry tomatoes dates back to the mid-early 1600s, though Cherry tomatoes were not commercialized until the late 20th century. Cherry tomatoes grow in hot and warm climates with plenty of sun exposure. They can handle humidity but do not tolerate cold weather. As a cultivated variety selectively bred to be small, Cherry tomatoes are not found in the wild but are grown commercially or in home gardens. Cherry tomatoes rose to popularity in the 1980s after being bred and marketed for their convenient small size and sweet taste. They are a popular food worldwide and can be found in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, specialty stores, and home gardens.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
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Recipe Ideas
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