San Marzano
An Italian heirloom from the Campania region, known since the 18th century. Flavor: Sweet with low acidity, making it less tangy than other tomatoes. The gold standard for sauces, canning, and paste due to its meaty texture and easy-to-peel skin. Indeterminate (keeps growing and producing throughout the season). Matures in 80'90 days, and prefers well-drained soil.
Black Krim
From the Isle of Krim in the Black Sea, brought to the U.S. in the 1990s.
Dark reddish-purple to black with green shoulders. Flavor: Intense, smoky, and slightly salty with a rich sweetness. Excellent for fresh eating, sauces, or roasting to enhance its depth of flavor. Indeterminate, matures in 70'80 days, and thrives in hot weather.
Cherokee Purple
Traced to the Cherokee people in Tennessee, popularized in the 1990s.
Dusky purple-pink color and greenish shoulders when unripe. Flavor: Deep, smoky, and sweet with a hint of acidity'often considered one of the best-tasting heirlooms. Use for slicing, grilling, or in caprese salads. Indeterminate, matures in 75'85 days, and prefers warm climates.