Cherry tomatoes are tiny, round, and super sweet, often used in salads or as snacks. They pack a punch of flavor despite their small size. Heirloom tomatoes come in all sorts of shapes and colors, like green, purple, or striped, thanks to being passed down through generations without crossbreeding. Beefsteak tomatoes are the giants of the tomato world, perfect for slicing onto burgers because of their large size and juicy texture.

Roma tomatoes, also called plum tomatoes, are dense and meaty, making them the go-to for sauces and pastes in Italian cooking. Green tomatoes aren't just unripe reds—they can be their own varieties, tangy and firm, great for frying or pickling. Grape tomatoes look like little oblong cherries and have a thicker skin, making them ideal for roasting or salads.

Campari tomatoes are known for their sweetness and low acidity, often sold as “cocktail tomatoes” in stores. Pear tomatoes get their name from their shape and come in yellow, red, and even purple, adding fun color to any dish. San Marzano tomatoes, a type of plum tomato, are prized in Italy for making rich, flavorful sauces.

Yellow tomatoes tend to be milder and less acidic than red ones, offering a subtle, sweet flavor in salads or salsas. Some cherry tomatoes can grow in clusters, looking like tiny red grapes hanging from the vine, which makes harvesting easier. Black tomatoes, like the Black Krim variety, have a smoky, rich taste that stands out from the usual sweet tomato flavor.

Currant tomatoes are even smaller than cherries, almost like red beads, and are rare but fun to snack on. Heirloom tomatoes often have more complex flavors than hybrids, ranging from fruity to tangy, because of their diverse genetics. Tomatoes can be classified by growth habits too—determinate types stop growing after a certain height, while indeterminate ones keep growing and fruiting all season.

Yellow pear tomatoes are a favorite for adding bright color and a mild taste to salads or as garnishes. Campari tomatoes are slightly bigger than cherries and known for their juicy, well-balanced flavor, making them popular in gourmet dishes. The Roma tomato’s thick flesh means less juice, which helps create thicker, richer sauces without long cooking times.

Tomato colors go beyond red and yellow—there are purple, black, green, and even white tomatoes among the common types of tomatoes. Some tomatoes, like the Brandywine heirloom, are famous for their large size and incredible sweetness, often called the “king of tomatoes.” Grape tomatoes, thanks to their firm skin, hold up well when grilled or roasted without falling apart.

The term “common types of tomatoes” includes a vast range of varieties grown worldwide for fresh eating, cooking, or canning. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, along with potatoes, peppers, and eggplants, which sometimes surprises people. Despite their bright colors and sweet flavor, tomatoes are technically fruits, not vegetables—botanically speaking.

Heirloom tomatoes often require more care in the garden because they aren’t bred for disease resistance like hybrids. Cherry tomatoes can be one of the earliest types to ripen in the growing season, giving gardeners a quick harvest. Some common types of tomatoes are better suited to container gardening, such as patio or bush varieties.

Beefsteak tomatoes have thick, juicy flesh that can hold up well in sandwiches without making things soggy. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius, which many believe adds to their unique flavor. Tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous in Europe because they belong to the nightshade family, delaying their culinary use.

Grape tomatoes, although similar to cherry tomatoes, have a sweeter taste and firmer texture, making them a favorite snack. The color of tomatoes can indicate different antioxidants; for example, red tomatoes are rich in lycopene, while yellow ones have more beta-carotene. Some common types of tomatoes are bred specifically for long shelf life and transport, helping grocery stores keep them fresh.

Tomato plants can be trained to grow vertically using cages or stakes, which is especially helpful for indeterminate types that grow tall. Certain heirloom varieties produce stunningly colorful fruit, making them popular not just for eating but also for garden aesthetics. Roma tomatoes have fewer seeds compared to other varieties, which means less bitterness in sauces and soups.

The acidity level in tomatoes varies widely among the common types of tomatoes, affecting their flavor profile in recipes. Tomatoes were first cultivated by the Aztecs in Mexico, who called them “xitomatl,” a word that eventually evolved into the English “tomato.” Some varieties, like the Mortgage Lifter heirloom, are prized for their huge fruits and rich, balanced taste.

Green zebra tomatoes have bright green stripes and a tangy flavor, making them a popular choice for salads or salsas. Beefsteak tomatoes are often used for canning because their size and texture hold up well after processing. Cherry tomatoes can sometimes be grown indoors under grow lights, allowing fresh tomatoes year-round in some climates.

Sun Gold tomatoes are a bright orange cherry tomato known for their super sweet, fruity flavor, a favorite among gardeners. Some common types of tomatoes are developed to resist cracking, a common problem in wet climates that ruins the fruit. Heirloom tomatoes’ diversity comes from open pollination, allowing natural variation to thrive across generations.

Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight—at least six to eight hours a day—to develop their full flavor and color. Certain tomatoes, like the Big Boy variety, are hybrids bred for high yield and consistent fruit size. The tomato plant’s leaves have a distinct smell that some gardeners use to keep pests away naturally.

In Italy, San Marzano tomatoes are the official choice for authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce due to their sweet and rich taste. Tomato seeds can stay viable for years if stored properly, making it easy to grow common types of tomatoes year after year. Some tomatoes, like the Black Cherry variety, combine dark color and a sweet taste that surprises first-timers.

The skin thickness of tomatoes varies; grape and cherry types usually have thicker skin to protect the small fruit. Tomato vines can grow up to 10 feet tall or more if left unchecked, especially the indeterminate varieties. Tomatoes were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, eventually becoming a staple worldwide.

Tomato juice made from certain common types of tomatoes is a popular drink in many cultures and also a base for cocktails like Bloody Marys. Heirloom tomatoes are often featured in farmers markets because of their unique flavors and eye-catching colors. Tomatoes can be eaten raw, cooked, sun-dried, or canned, showing their incredible versatility in kitchens everywhere.

Common types of tomatoes vary not only in flavor and size but also in how they grow—some bush, some vine, some better for slicing, others perfect for sauces. Tomatoes remain one of the most popular home garden vegetables due to their rewarding harvest and delicious results. Learning about different types encourages trying new recipes and expanding culinary creativity with this classic fruit.