Cherry Tomato is a small round tomato and it is believed that its a genetic mixture of domestic garden tomatoes and wild currant-type tomatoes. The size of these tomatoes ranges from a thumb tip to a golfball.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. Lycopersicum
Trinomial name: Solanum Lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme
Cherry Tomato Trivia
Aztec writings comprised the very first recipe of salsa and it contained cherry tomatoes in it
Margrit Selke was the namesake of the Selke Biodynamic cherry tomato. He was a specialist in biodynamic agriculture.
Cherry Tomato Buying Guide
When looking to buy cherry tomatoes, always look for the ones with clear skin without any bruises or blemishes.
If you’re buying cherry tomatoes that are still attached to the vines, always look to pick those that are firmly attached.
Cherry Tomato Production & Farming in Texas
First, you need to buy seed or a seedling, anything is good but seedlings grow quicker.
Afterward, you need to get tomato cages or wooden stakes. You are also going to require a potting mix, tomato plant food, and five-gallon buckets.
For cherry tomatoes, you should always look to plant tomatoes somewhere where you can get at least eight hours of sunlight each day. You should water them every two to three days. Also, as the plant grows, the branches will start reaching out of their cage so you should put them back in.
Pesticides
Small mammals love to eat cherry tomatoes. The felons could be mice, rats, squirrels, moles, voles, or rabbits. Protect cherry tomatoes by spraying them with repellents so you keep these small mammals away.
Geography
The first direct reference that we get from cherry tomatoes was back in 1623. Caspar Bauhin, who was a Swiss botanist was working on “Pinax theatri botanici” The botanist wrote about a species “Solanum racemosum cerasorum forma”, which roughly translates to a “Solanum, full of clusters, and cherry shaped”.
This form of tomato is believed to be first domesticated in Puebla-Veracruz in Mexico.
Cherry tomatoes started off in the U.S since at least 1919.
Cherry tomatoes are not difficult to grow in Texas as the area can provide at least eight hours of sunlight a day which is necessary.
Packaging
Cherry tomatoes are usually packaged in small plastic containers that are transparent. Recent Finnish study shows that there is a better way to pack cherry tomatoes. Paperboard that is recyclable, aesthetically more pleasing, the only downside is that you can’t see the product itself.
Enjoying Cherry Tomatoes
One of the best and most common ways to use cherry tomatoes is within a salad but don’t be fooled, this is not the only way to make them taste good. You can use them in a tart, salsa, gratin, you can roast them, burst them and use them in many other ways.
Usually, you want to put the whole tomato in your mouth when eating because the juice can burst out easily otherwise.
Storage
Perfectly mature tomatoes should be kept ideally at room temperature away from sunlight. You should make sure they’re in a single layer and not touching each other. Consume the tomatoes within a few days.
If your tomatoes are green or immature, you should best place it in a cardboard box or a paper bag, your best bet is to place them in a cool area until their color turns red.
If your tomatoes are soft and overmature, you should place them in the fridge. Before consuming them, let them warm up a bit to room temperature so they gain some of its flavors back.
Cooking
One of the best ways to prepare cherry tomatoes like a true chef is Tomato-Coconut Curry with Cod.
You are going to need around fifty minutes to prepare four servings of the meal.
You should preheat the oven to 300 degrees and warm up the oil in the pan. Add half a tablespoon of salt to the pan. After that add curry paste and ginger and stir while doing so. When the paste begins to stick to the pan, you should add cherry tomatoes and coconut cream. Take it off when the curry starts sticking to the pan and the tomatoes begin to burst out. Season the fish fillets and place them in the pan. After that, you should place it in the oven for 18-22 minutes and it is done.
Nutrition:
Cherry tomatoes are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and they are low in sodium. They are also an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, and K, and also comprise of potassium.
When Are Cherry Tomatoes in Season in Texas?
To find out when Cherry Tomatoes are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
