Description

Cherry tomatoes are the bite-sized explosion of sweetness your kitchen needs. Known for their thin skins and high sugar content, these “garden candies” come in vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. They are the ultimate snackable fruit, perfect for popping whole into your mouth, tossing into a fresh pasta, or roasting until they burst into a rich, savory glaze.

While the larger tomato originated in the Andes, the wild ancestor of all tomatoes was likely a small, cherry-sized fruit from South America. However, the modern cherry tomato we love today was popularized in the late 20th century. A major breakthrough in their commercial success happened in the 1970s and 80s through collaborations between British retailers and Israeli scientists, who bred them to be sweeter, firmer, and more resistant to travel.

Cherry tomatoes are a highlight of the Summer garden. They love heat and plenty of sunshine, with peak harvest running from July through September. Because they ripen faster than larger beefsteak varieties, they are often the first tomatoes to appear at the market in early summer.