Red teardrop tomatoes are a given name for varieties of tomatoes that were developed from a natural occurring mutation on a cherry tomato plant. At their natural botanical core, red teardrop tomato plants synthesise nutrients, pigments and secondary metabolites. These include the green pigment chlorophyll, the yellow pigment, beta carotene, the red pigment lycopene and the colourless, yet bitter glycoalkaloid, tomatine. Maturity of the fruit directly influences the level of these compounds within the fruit. Chlorophyl and tomatine are found in high concentrations during the first stages of maturity, mechanisms that tomato plants use to protect against predators prior to ripening. Mature fruit swing the pendulum toward high levels of carotene and lycopene, pigments that are responsible for color and flavor. The plant’s life cycle is an exercise in the art of survival. Now that the fruits are rich with sugars that have been converted from sunlight, its palatable flavors invite predators and act as a device to promote seed dispersal and the livelihood of future tomato plants.

Red teardrop tomatoes are distinguished by their petite bowling pin shape and their translucent sun-yellow flesh. A perfect red teardrop tomato will be in-season and mature upon harvesting as it requires a certain soil temperature and level of daylight sun to synthesize sugar and flavor components. The result will be a fruit with flavor profiles that reflect the plant’s nutrient content, an overwhelming mouthful of juices bursting with flavors sweet, rich, tart and complex.

Serving Ideas

Red teardrop 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 teardrop tomatoes are quintessential salad and salsa tomatoes. Pair red teardrop tomatoes with companion ingredients that also happen to be in season. Fresh corn, chiles, watermelon, shelling beans, fresh cheeses, scallops, prawns, eggplant, okra, cucumbers, fresh nuts, avocados, zucchini and herbs such as mint, arugula and basil, each a complimentary match.

Geography/History

All tomato cultivars can trace their historic heritage to coastal South America where 11 species of wild tomatoes have been growing for millions of years. Cherry tomatoes evolved from wild tomatoes to become the first domesticated species of tomatoes. It wasn't until the early 1900's though that breeders reported the segregation of a pear-shaped tomato fruit characterized by a constriction at the stem end 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.

Seasons/Availability

Red teardrop tomatoes are available year round.