Heritage tomatoes get a lot of attention for how they look, and the colours are genuinely striking. But the reason we stock them is not the appearance. It is that they were bred for flavour rather than shelf life, and once you understand that distinction, the price difference starts to make sense.
What 'heritage' actually means ¶
The term heritage (or heirloom) refers to open-pollinated varieties that have been grown and saved for at least 50 years, often much longer. They have not been selected for uniform size, thick skin, or the ability to travel well. They have been selected, over generations of seed saving, for taste. That is a fundamentally different breeding priority from the commercial varieties that dominate supermarket shelves.
Why they taste different ¶
Commercial tomato varieties are typically picked before they are fully ripe so they can survive transport and storage. Heritage varieties are picked ripe because they are sold locally and quickly. A ripe tomato has had time to develop its full sugar and acid balance, which is what gives it complexity. The Tigerella we stock from Stoneleigh Farm has a sharp, almost citrusy edge. The Black Krim is deeper and more savoury. You would not get that range from a standard round tomato.
The seed-saving piece ¶
Many heritage varieties are maintained by small growers who save seed from their best plants each year. The Stoneleigh family's yellow pear tomato is a good example: they have been selecting from the same line for about 15 years, choosing the plants with the best flavour and the most reliable yield. That kind of long-term selection produces something genuinely specific to that farm and that grower.
How to use them ¶
Because heritage tomatoes vary in texture and acidity, they suit different uses. The firmer, more acidic varieties like Tigerella are good raw in salads or on bread with olive oil. The softer, sweeter ones like Black Krim are better cooked: a slow roast or a sauce where the depth of flavour can come through. The yellow pear varieties are sweet enough to eat as a snack. It is worth tasting a slice before you decide what to do with them.
We only stock heritage tomatoes when Stoneleigh Farm has them, which is July through early September. They are worth planning a visit around.