Heirloom tomatoes, many of which originated in Germany, come in all shapes and sizes.
For many consumers, a tomato is a tomato, no matter how you slice it. However, serious tomato growers and chefs know that there are hundreds of tomato varieties, each with its own unique flavor, texture, growing patterns and appearance. Many of these "heirloom" tomatoes originated in Germany, where they were harvested by small communities or individual families for decades. Many of these German varieties are now popular in North America and can be found in farmers markets around the country. Does this Spark an idea?
German Giant
The German giant is a family heirloom variety that produces large, deep-pink tomatoes that can weigh more than 2 lbs. and are "brimming with luscious flavor," according to the University of Missouri. German giants feature potato leaf foliage similar to the brandywine, but its fruits mature earlier (within 77 days) and are typically larger.
German Red Strawberry
The fruits of the German red strawberry tomato do in fact look like large red strawberries and are quite sweet for tomatoes. These meaty, heart-shaped tomatoes are typically 3 to 5 inches in diameter and grow on 4 1/2-foot-long vines. On average, these late-season tomatoes weigh around 10 oz. German red strawberry tomatoes tend to have lots of seeds and little juice.
German Angora
The German angora tomato variety has, like other angora-type tomatoes, "densely white-pubescent leaves," according to the University of New Mexico. This variety features fuzzy, ovate fruits that are typically 2 1/2 inches long and have "good flavor."
German Pink
This heirloom tomato of German origin produces fruits weighing 12 oz. on average, according to Rutgers University. These sweet, beefsteak-type tomatoes have pink flesh and skin and can be eaten fresh or made into a paste. The German pink tomato plant grows to roughly 6 feet tall and has potatolike foliage.
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