Tomatoes are proven to be healthy, especially on our skin. It’s also a versatile food that you can use to level up a dish. What’s even great about this fruit is its juiciness and sweet flavor that seems to complement just about any recipe.
But do you know that you can also can tomatoes? You might have encountered canning tomatoes commercially. But if you have plans of canning tomatoes on your own or for business, we want you to know that it’s possible! But before you learn about canning tomatoes, you need to know the best tomatoes for canning.
This article will share what varieties are perfect for canning and more about tomatoes!
Before learning about the best tomatoes for canning, what is this fruit?
Tomatoes are considered to be a fruit and not a vegetable. It belongs to the nightshade family and is prepared more like a vegetable.
Tomatoes contain the following nutrients and vitamins.
- Calories
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Fiber
- Sugar
- Lutein
- Lycopene
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Folate
- Vitamin K1
- Beta carotene
- Chlorogenic acid
- Naringenin
All these contribute to a healthy heart and skin and cancer prevention. So, if you want to feel good and look good, tomatoes should be on your meal plan.
Why are tomatoes canned?
Home-canning tomatoes isn’t a new concept anymore. People choose to can their tomatoes to preserve them.
This is especially helpful if you’ve grown tomatoes in your garden and want to save something for the next weeks or months. That’s where canning tomatoes come in. You can eat tomatoes and enjoy them long after your harvest!
Likewise, did you know that canned tomatoes can give you more benefits than fresh tomatoes? This is because the more you cook tomatoes, the more it releases their nutrients! But what are the best tomatoes for canning?
What are the best tomatoes for canning?
When canning tomatoes, you want to use those that can produce more sauce as possible. And by that, we mean picking particular varieties of tomatoes. Not all varieties are ideal. That’s why we’ve made a list of the best tomatoes for canning for your reference.
1. Roma variety
First, we recommend Roma tomatoes because their seed cavities are considerably smaller than any other varieties. Plus, it can produce a higher yield of sauce, which is one important factor in canning.
Roma tomatoes come in different varieties, such as the following.
San Marzano
This Italian variety has sweet meat, smaller seed cavities, and low acid.
Big Mama
This hybrid tomato can reach up to 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. It’s easy to peel, has low moisture, small seed cavities, and a generous sauce yield.
Anish Paste
This thin-walled variety is from Wisconsin. It’s also low in moisture but can be hard to find.
Plum Dandy
If you want an early maturing variety, Plum Dandy is for you. Its flesh is firm and sweet. It’s one of the high-quality tomato pastes and is ideal for home gardeners and market growers.
Viva Italia
This is another hybrid tomato with red plum meat. It’s larger than other types and disease resistant.
Golden Mama
The last Roma variety is Golden Mama, another hybrid tomato with yellow flesh. It has a milder taste than other types and produces a unique yellow sauce.
2. Beefsteak and slice tomato variety
Another best tomato for canning is beefsteak and slicing tomatoes. It’s the ideal variety because of its affordable price, unique sauce color, and distinctive flavors.
Here are some beefsteak and sliced tomatoes you can use for canning.
Black Krim
This blackish-purple tomato is a unique Russian variety. It’s large, and support is needed if you plan to grow them.
Ace 55
This variety has thick skin and is sized like a tennis ball. One distinctive quality of this is that it stays firm even when it’s cooked, the reason why it’s perfect for canning. It’s low in acid, and lemon juice is recommended when canning it.
Rutgers Original Tomato
This medium-sized variety has a rich flavor that is perfect for canning. It’s actually bred from the Marglobe variety.
Marglobe
This disease-resistant variety is ideal for bulk canning. One reason is that it can produce a high yield. It’s one of the most flavorful tomato juice in a can.
3. Cherry tomato variety
The cherry tomato variety is the last on our list. It can be an odd choice, but you can still use it due to its distinctive flavor.
Here is some cherry tomatoes ideal for canning.
- Sungold cherry tomato
- Yellow pear cherry tomato
- Superweet 100
- Juliet
Things to take note of when canning tomatoes
When canning tomatoes, it’s important to follow a few simple rules. Here are our top tips.
- Use the proper canning equipment. You’ll need a canning rack, jars, lids, and rings.
- Use canning lids that fit tightly onto each jar, as this will help keep any air out of the jars while they are stored away from light and heat sources which could cause them to spoil more quickly than normal
- Make sure your tomatoes are ripe and ripe enough that they’re softening inside of the skin but not so soft that they’re falling apart.
- If you’re planning on canning whole tomatoes, you’ll need to blanch them first. This will ensure that their insides are clean and ready for cooking.
- It’s best to use fresh tomatoes for canning.
- Pickle or juice your tomatoes before you put them in the water bath. You can add lemon juice, vinegar, or even sugar to the water bath if you’d like!
- After you’ve canned your tomatoes, store them in an airtight jar for up to one year.
The right type of tomatoes matter!
We hope this guide has helped you choose the best tomatoes for canning and that you’re ready to start your own canning adventures!
The key to preserving great tomatoes is knowing what kinds of tomatoes are best for canning. We’ve looked at various tomatoes, including early, mid-season, and late-season varieties. If you want to preserve some tomato sauce or salsa, it’s worth paying attention to the height of the tomato and its ripeness.
The riper it is, the better it will taste when cooked down for long periods of time.