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What is the difference between a plum and a cherry tomato?

Plum and cherry tomatoes are cute, bite-sized fruits that cooks the world over use more like vegetables. Apart from size, there are several significant variations between them.

In this article, we’ll discuss the main differences between plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes so you’ll be able to distinguish between the two easily. We will also look at the greatest places to produce these two popular fruits, their characteristics, origins, and the best ways to utilize each of them.

Plum Tomatoes Cherry Tomatoes
Shape Oval Round
Features Color varies from orange yellow, red, and yellow
They have high moisture content
Have a sweet taste
They have thick walls
They are soft inside
Have fewer seeds than cherry tomatoes
They are most often red, although they may also be pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, or black.
They are juicy
They have a sour taste
They are firm
Origin Originated from South East Asia They originated from Peruvian and Ecuadorian vines
Where Grown Grow on upright plants Grow on vines
Storage They may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for many hours. Stored at ambient temperature but will not last long in the fridge
Size They reach 2-4 inches tall Grows to 2-3 inches tall
Uses Perfect for making pastes and sauces Best for making salads and appetizers

Let’s go further into the fundamental distinctions between plum and cherry tomatoes.

Plum Tomatoes vs. Cherry Tomatoes: Uses

Plum (Roma variety) tomatoes on vine changing from green to red Plum tomatoes grow on vines that must be anchored to stay upright.

Also known as paste tomatoes or processing tomatoes, plum tomatoes are perfect for making sauces. The decreased water content of plum tomatoes makes them ideal for creating tomato sauce. Plum tomatoes have a lower moisture content than cherry tomatoes. The sweet acid flavor and the soft texture of plum tomatoes will guarantee you have a the perfect tomato sauce.

In addition, plum tomatoes contain less seeds than cherry tomatoes. This makes them a better option for sauce makers. Plum tomatoes may also be used to create juice and tomato paste. When fresh, you can use plum tomatoes in salads, salsa, and sandwiches.

Cherry tomatoes, on the other hand, are smaller and more juicy than plum tomatoes. In cooked or uncooked salads, combine cherry tomatoes with a variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Because of their tiny size and solid texture, cherry tomatoes are also an ideal option for appetizers.

Plum Tomatoes vs. Cherry Tomatoes: Origin and Where to Grow

Cherry tomato plant with in pot against white background
Cherry tomatoes grow on upright plants.

It is obvious that plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes originated in various parts of the world. This explains why they’re similar but not identical. Plum tomatoes are native to Southeast Asia. They are available in a wide variety of types, including small plum tomatoes, Italian plum tomatoes, San Marzano plum tomatoes, and Roma VF plum tomatoes. Fresh from the garden, these tomatoes taste finest.

Cherry tomatoes, on the other hand, are said to have originated in Peru and Ecuador. They eventually spread to other regions of the globe. Cherry tomatoes come in a wide variety of colors, including pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, or black.

Cherry tomatoes grow quickly and are grown in pots in a cage. For the cherry tomatoes to thrive well, they need to receive a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

Plum Tomatoes vs. Cherry Tomatoes: Description

Plum tomatoes in a variety of colors against a white background The oval form of plum tomatoes makes them easier to recognize.

Solanum lycopersicum is the scientific name for all tomatoes, including plum and cherry tomatoes.

Because of their form and size, plum tomatoes are simple to recognize. The plum tomatoes have an oval shape and may reach up to 4 inches long. Despite their thick exterior, plum tomatoes are quite tender on the inside. This makes them simple to prepare.

These are the tomatoes of choice for many chefs. This is because they are easy to handle thanks to their solid content and fewer seeds. Plum tomatoes should be your first choice for making tomato pastes and pasta sauces. These tomatoes are not only best for cooking, you can also eat them while fresh.

Cherry tomatoes are not the perfect choice for pastes and sauces, but their sweet juice and higher water content makes them better for grilled or baked dishes. They are also ideal for appetizers and salads.

You can easily identify cherry tomatoes because they are smaller than plum tomatoes and they’re round instead of oval and they are available in a variety of attractive colors. Cherry tomatoes may reach a width of 1-2 inches. Since these tomatoes are tiny, you may easily bite them and taste the juice.

Plum Tomatoes vs. Cherry Tomatoes: Storage

Cherry tomatoes in a white bowl against a white background Cherry tomatoes are round.

Plum and cherry tomatoes should both be kept at room temperature. Cherry tomatoes in particular should never be kept in the fridge because they’ll lose their freshness.

Plum tomatoes, on the other hand, may be kept in the refrigerator for many hours without turning bad. The chilly refrigerator temperature delays the ripening of these tomatoes. This helps to extend their lifespan while also keeping them fresh.

Plum Tomatoes vs. Cherry Tomatoes: Nutrition Comparison

The two tomatoes provide several health advantages to the human body.

  • Plum and cherry tomatoes both contain the same amount of protein.
  • Plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes have minimal levels of saturated fat.
  • Plum and cherry tomatoes both have the same amount of Vitamin E.
  • The calcium content of plum and cherry tomatoes is the same.
  • Cherry and plum tomatoes have the same amount of iron.

The nutritional composition of these tomatoes, however, varies in several ways. According to 2020 USDA and NIH data, 100 grams of plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes has the following nutrients:

Plum Tomatoes Cherry Tomatoes
46 calories 16 calories
Contain 72% less carbs than plum tomatoes.
Have 1.4g of dietary fiber Have 0.9g of dietary fiber
Have more sugar than cherry tomatoes
Are higher in vitamin C than plum tomatoes.
Vitamin A content is 341 percent more than that of plum tomatoes.
Contain more Vitamin K than cherry tomatoes
Contain 35% more potassium than plum tomatoes

Related Questions

  • What’s the difference between tomatoes and plum tomatoes?

    Plum tomatoes have fewer seed compartments and a more concentrated flavor, so they’re great for sauces – which makes them very popular for processing. Roma tomatoes are grown by the farmers who provide Red Gold.

  • Can I use plum tomatoes instead of cherry?

    Substitute For Cherry Tomatoes
    Plum tomatoes may be used in lieu of cherry tomatoes, although they are drier. If you’re using the tomatoes in a casserole or other baked dish you could substitute sun-dried tomatoes which have a more intense flavor.

  • Are plum tomatoes sweeter?

    In contrast to bigger beefsteak tomatoes, cherry and plum kinds are generally the sweetest.

  • How many cherry tomatoes are in a plum tomato?

    Tomato Conversions

    1 small tomato = 3 – 4 ounces
    8 plum tomatoes = 1 pound
    15 – 20 cherry tomatoes = 1 pound
    25 to 30 cherry tomatoes yield 2 cups chopped
    1 pound fresh tomatoes yield 1½ cups chopped

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