Red grape tomatoes distinguish themselves from other cherry tomato varieties by their oval shape, which is actually a natural occurring mutation that was first discovered in the early 1900's. Tomato breeders reported the segregation of a oval tomato fruit characterized by a constriction at the ends of the fruit. It was discovered that this was due to a gene known as the ovate gene. However, the origin of this spontaneous mutation is unknown. It is these naturally occurring mutations, though, that are essential to the transformative evolution of small, inconspicuous berries of wild tomatoes into the 6,000 known modern tomato varieties. In fact, there are now dozens of grape tomato varieties, both heirloom and hybrid with names such as Five Star, Jolly Elf, Scarlet Fizz and the heritage variety, Riesentraube, known as the original grape tomato variety from Pennsylvania circa 1856.

Red grape tomato varieties share several common characteristics. They are petit, glossy and thin-skinned with a juicy flesh bearing two seed cavities. Red grape tomatoes are known for being small but big on flavor. The tomato plants produce dense, healthy foliage which converts more sunlight into sugars and other flavorful components, providing for a memorably rich, complex and sweet mouthful.

Serving Ideas

Red grape tomatoes can be used in any given recipe, fresh, hot or cold, calling for cherry tomatoes or simply, tomatoes. More importantly though, their first and foremost use is for fresh eating. Raw red cherry tomatoes are quintessential salad and salsa tomatoes. Mature fruits can be processed and cooked to make ketchup, compotes and jams. They can also be blanched, pureed and made into soups, sauces and sorbets. Pair red grape tomatoes with companion ingredients that also happen to be in season.

Geography/History

Although oval shaped tomatoes had been a garden variety tomato for over a century, the first “grape tomatoes were grown in 1994 by Andrew Chu in Florida, USA. Chu received “Santa F1” tomato seeds from Known-You Seed Company in Taiwan. Chu turned the seeds into a commercially significant tomato crop that he dubbed “grape tomatoes” – a term that Chu invented to distinguish the variety from cherry tomatoes. He also recognized the significant value in exclusivity and protecting innovation so he filed for a trademark on his new invention: grape tomatoes. He received a U.S. trademark in March 2000 for grape tomatoes. Even though Chu owned the trademark, Procacci Brothers Sales Corp. challenged Chu’s trademark rights in federal court, arguing that the registration should be cancelled because “grape tomatoes” was merely a descriptive term. Chu walked away from the fight with an abandoned trademark and the rest of the world free to use the term grape tomatoes.

Seasons/Availability

Red grape tomatoes are available year round with a peak season during late summer.