Yellow cherry tomatoes, L. esculentum cv Cerasiforme, is the general name used to identify dozens of tomato cultivars. Yellow cherry tomatoes carry a recessive mutant gene that is responsible for the fruit’s coloring. Unlike Red cherry tomatoes, yellow cherry tomatoes have reduced levels of chlorophyll and they are absent of detectable anthocyanins, the compound responsible for the red pigment in food plants. The yellow coloring is also a direct result of the fruits containing high levels of yellow carotenoids (carotene) and flavonoids in the skin. Not all yellow cherry tomatoes are created equal. Natural mutations other than color occur, hence yellow Pear and yellow Grape tomatoes. Newer and improved varieties are bred for disease resistance, yield performance and of course, flavor. The gene pool is rather small though, as domesticated tomatoes contain only 5% of the genetic variation of their wild counterparts.

Yellow cherry tomatoes possess an inherently lower level of acid in their flesh versus Red cherry tomatoes. Thus, if the tomato plant successfully converts enough sunlight into sugars, it will create naturally sweeter fruit. The quintessential yellow cherry tomato will be tender firm, thin-skinned with two seed cavities carrying miniscule edible seeds within its savory sweet liquid gel flesh.

Serving Ideas

Yellow cherry tomatoes can be used in any recipe calling for cherry tomatoes. They can also replace larger varieties in fresh and raw dishes. Be careful to note their level of sweetness before use. It is also more practical to use larger tomatoes for cooked dishes, as it will take far more cherry tomatoes than their large counterparts for recipes such as tomato sauce. Try to eat yellow cherry tomatoes in their natural season of ripeness and pair yellow cherry tomatoes with other ingredients that are in season. Choice pairings include avocados, corn, chiles, arugula, watermelon, new potatoes, zucchini and herbs such as basil, lemon verbena and mint.

Geography/History

Yellow cherry tomatoes are descendents of the wild tomato, whose origins can be traced to coastal South America over one million years ago. Archeological evidence suggests that the very first strains of cherry tomatoes were cultivated by Mesoamerican farmers at least a thousand miles away in northern Central America. There is no evidence that points to when the first yellow cherry tomato was discovered but it was a natural occurring mutation that was found on a Red cherry tomato plant. That single mutation is responsible for the evolution of yellow cherry tomato varieties.

Seasons/Availability

Yellow cherry tomatoes are available year round.