Italian Heritage Roma’s
When it comes to health benefits, there is the consideration that there are some traditional or heritage varieties of tomatoes that have a higher, or potentially higher, amount of lycopene. This type of lycopene is different than that found in tangerine types. It has the same elements, but in a different formation. This form gets transformed when heated, to make it much more bioavailable.
The Roma’s
- San Marzano
- Grappoli d’ Inverno
- A Grappoli Corbarino
- Pomodoro Cuore Antico di Acqui Terme
In search of varieties that would have the highest values of lycopene, the San Marzano roma has been shown in laboratory tests to have this high value. From this point I was able to find Grappoli d’ Inverno and A Grappoli Corbarino through the Seed Savers Exchange. After this I searched in Europe to find the Pomodoro Cuore Antico Acqui Terme from eastern France that was a heritage variety originally from a commune in northern Italy.
San Marzano
Growth habit: Indeterminant, can grow more than 4′ – 5′ in height.
Fruit size: medium, bell-shaped
Flesh: medium density
Flavor: Good
Days to Harvest: 65 – 70
The quintessential paste tomato that is not only delicious in paste and sauces, but has been clinically shown to have a very high lycopene value. All other Roma tomato varieties originate from this seed line.
Tests conducted in a laboratory show that, of all red tomatoes tested, this is the variety with the highest lycopene value when made into paste.
Grappoli d’ Inverno
Growth habit: Semi-determinant
Fruit size: plum-shaped cherry sized
Flesh: Dense
Flavor: Sweet & fruity
Days to Harvest: 60 – 70
The name Grappoli D’ Inverno means bunches of winter grapes in Italian. It is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy, and was brought to the United States in the early 1900s.
This semi-determinant 4-foot plant can be grown in both containers and in traditional style gardens. The fruits can be dried or used to make preserves. It is an excellent keeper that was traditionally hung to dry for storage.
To dry traditionally, gently pull the plant up with its roots just before the first frost. Shake off any excess dirt, and then hang them in a cool place away from sunlight to ripen and dry. It’s not unusual to be eating tomatoes from this plant at Christmas if kept cool and dry.
A Grappoli Corbarino
Growth habit: Indeterminant, averaging around 5′ in height
Fruit size: grape-sized, shape is variable
Flesh: firm, thick flesh
Flavor: excellent
Days to Harvest: ~75
An Italian Heirloom, one of the first known varieties in Italy. Good for salads, snacking, and a roasted sauce. Generous production and good storage life.
There are two different tomatoes with this same name, with this seed purchased from a village in France very near the northern Italian border.
Pomodoro Cuore Antico di Acqui Terme
Growth habit: Indeterminant
Fruit size: Beefsteak
Flesh: Very dense with few seeds
Flavor: Perfectly balanced & sweet
Days to Harvest: 85
An uncommon Italian Heirloom Sauce Tomato. The name means heirloom heart shape tomato from the region of Acqui Terme. It is categorized as a sauce tomato, which is perfect for preservation and enhancing the health benefits for use throughout the winter and spring.
This massive sized paste tomato, growing up to 2 pounds in weight, makes a deep, crimson and very rich sauce. The seed of this variety was originally purchased from a seed company in northern France, very near the city and commune of Acqui Terme.