Invasion of The Yellow Tomato

By DB
@dgobucks226 (34375)
August 29, 2017 9:39am CST
As Summer draws to a close my garden is sprouting strange looking colored tomatoes different from the usual red ones it produces. You see, I bought some tomato plants this year called "Lemon Boy" from the local nursey to try out. To my surprise I am reaping the benefits of my experimentation, as these tomatoes are ripening in great numbers. I tried my first one yesterday and the yellow tomato has such a sweet mild flavor, delicious! Looks like I will be eating a lot of BLT's, tomato sandwiches and sliced tomato salads well into September. I am up to the challenge! Here is a little history behind the yellow tomato for my curious readers. For the very health conscious you can't beat the red tomatoes. They contain three times as much lycopene, a cancer preventer. They also have less sodium than the yellow ones. One plus for the yellow tomato is the acidity level. They are much lower than the traditional color tomato which if beneficial to people suffering when eating acid foods, or have "GERD" related digestive symptoms. I also found this information about the origins of the yellow tomato from "specialitysource.com" that might be of interest. In 1544, the Italian herbalist Mattioli was the first to describe the Yellow tomato fruits in Europe, referring to them in Latin as “mala aurea”, translated as “the golden apple”. The Italians also called the fruit “pomodoro”, Italian for “golden apple”, which is why it is believed that the first tomatoes known to Europeans were actually yellow and not red. It wasn't until later on in 1554 that Mattioli mentioned a red variety in his work. In closing, it can be fun and sometimes beneficial to try out new things. I like the fact that the yellow tomato has less acid, because I am sensitive to these type foods. The red tomatoes are still a big part of my garden, but it is nice to have the variety that the yellow ones provide. To my fellow gardeners, what type of tomatoes do you grow? Have you ever tried growing different types of tomatoes? Which kind is your favorite to eat? Sources- NY Times, Prevention, Wise Geek & specialtiysource.com Amateur Photo is mine
16 people like this
16 responses
• United States
29 Aug 17
I've never had a yellow tomato but it's interesting to know the health differences between the red and yellow
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Oh thanks Marilyn, I thought that info was interesting myself. It is good to know some of the benefits!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Aug 17
I planted Lemon Boy last year and was impressed with it's yield, and the big sunshine yellow tomatoes -- very pretty! This year I stuck with Romas mostly they are nice to work with for canning.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Good to know about the Romas for canning Faye. I also planted beefsteaks which are coming in nicely. I just picked one the size of a softball. I can't bring myself to eat it
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 Beefsteak is a good one! Wow, softball size! That's a nice tomato.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
@FayeHazel I picked that one before the squirrels or other critters noticed it! Those beefsteaks make a nice slicing tomato
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
29 Aug 17
your so right on the information on this.We do at times.But not this year.Just the red.We were a bit lazy this year.LOL
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Thanks for the response Alfredo. Yes, it does require some extra effort.
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@amadeo (111948)
• United States
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 It is worth it.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
@amadeo Yes, I take great pride when they come in and I'm eating home grown tomatoes
@just4him (306386)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Aug 17
This is the first time I've heard of the yellow tomato. Very interesting.
2 people like this
@just4him (306386)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 I haven't seen any in the store, but I'll look for them in the future. I probably need to go to a different store for them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
@just4him I think they are more common in specialty stores like Whole Foods, our Shop Rite in NJ sells them. We also have a lot of farm markets where I live that will carry them. Definitely, not an easy find unless you buy the plants and grow them yourself.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Thanks, I've seen the yellows before but had not planted them until this year.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
29 Aug 17
I have never seen or tasted yellow tomatoes, but I would be happy to try them.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
They are very good, mild taste and easy on the stomach.
@JeeyanDee (2692)
29 Aug 17
Does it taste different compared to the red ones?
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
To my taste, it is sweeter with a milder flavor perhaps. Great for slicing and putting on sandwiches and salads. But I also have red ones which taste great too.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
@JeeyanDee I did see something on line on Amazon for canned yellow tomatoes. Boy they will sell anything You can use any for canning but the paste type tomato has fewer seeds and is best Here are some of the more popular canned tomatoes: Roma, Jersey Giant, Sam Marzano and Amish paste.
1 person likes this
@JeeyanDee (2692)
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 Hmmm. Could it be that yellow ones are better for sandwiches, while the red ones for cooking?
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
30 Aug 17
Those look good. I like your story on them too. I like the red ones but would gladly try a yellow one. Now I heard they have blue tomatoes out.
2 people like this
@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 I hadn't either until this year. I really didn't see the blue in them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
It is amazing what colors and kinds they come up with. Never seen a blue one before.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
30 Aug 17
Nice to learn about this yellow or yellow orange tomatoes. I'm used to seeing tomatoes as red. I see yellow green tomatoes because they are not yet ripe
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Thanks for your comment! It is a bit strange. They all start as green and to see them change is interesting.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Aug 17
I had never had a yellow tomato but have seen them. I have had the green and red only. I bet they are wonderful DB. Good you got some to eat now.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Yes, OT. I am getting quite a few. They are coming in faster than I can eat them. I will give some to my neighbor for sure.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
I guess I should look into buying the yellow tomatoes as I have lots of trouble with GERD
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
It's worth a try. I tolerate the yellows very well
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
29 Aug 17
As you know we did not have tomatoes in Italy before Columbus discovered the America in 1492. It is true that the first tomatoes were yellow. The Europeans considered the tomatoes poisonous until the beginning of the year 1700. We still call the tomato "pomodoro" no matter which color it is. I grow tomatoes of different colors in my garden, from yellow to purple.
2 people like this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
30 Aug 17
There are purple tomatoes?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
30 Aug 17
@averygirl72 Yes there are purple tomatoes and there are also black tomatoes.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Thank you for this additional information Anna
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
1 Sep 17
I have honestly never eaten a yellow tomato, and if our stores sell them then I have not noticed. But, it is great you now have a variety for sandwiches and salads, DB.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Sep 17
@dgobucks226 , Lol, I hope you figure something out, can't be walking about a yellowish-red
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
4 Sep 17
@bluesa I know red was bad enough! And I've got enough tomatoes for the month of September
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
1 Sep 17
Yes, I like tomatoes. Now I just have to get my skin to stop turning a yellowish-red color, ha
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57923)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Aug 17
Its that time of year for sure. Cherry tomatoes with lunch and supper, too. Sweet like fruit not rocky like store 'maters. I grew yellow ones last year. There is also a yellow pear shaped tomato.
2 people like this
@sallypup (57923)
• Centralia, Washington
30 Aug 17
@dgobucks226 I planted roma tomatoes last year and don't plan to do so ever again. They tasted and had the texture of store tomatoes! I generally only plant cherry tomatoes now. Like you said, sweet and perfect for snacking and salads.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
Yes, I've seen the pear shaped ones. I planted some cherry tomatoes. They are sweet and go great in my salads I enjoy trying different varieties.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
@sallypup From what I've read about Roma's they are very good for canning/sauce. Appreciate the feedback!
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Aug 17
I like yellow tomatoes. It feels a little weird eating them,but I like them.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
My first one I had, I was thinking ok, what is this going to taste like? But they are tasty!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Aug 17
All my life I have never liked tomatoes. Shocking isn't it! My father used to grow them.
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@dgobucks226 (34375)
30 Aug 17
I never liked them until I got older, John. It must of been an acquired taste for me. I enjoy them best on sandwiches. But yes, that is shocking news! Your salads could of used some company
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
3 Sep 17
I don't grow any at this time because I live in an apartment but I used to grow the yellow and red tomatoes. Yellows are much sweeter of the two but I like the acidic bite of the red.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
5 Sep 17
@dgobucks226 It's a beautiful beefsteak. I would hate to cut it too but they don't last long. They go bad quickly.
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@dgobucks226 (34375)
5 Sep 17
@RubyHawk Yes, it needed to be eaten. I made short work of it!!
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@dgobucks226 (34375)
4 Sep 17
Very true about the tomatoes taste Ruby. I enjoy the different varieties! Here is a photo of my giant beefsteak I ate with friends over the weekend. I hated to slice it but it was ripe and ready to be eaten!
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