'San Marzano' is regarded as one of the best paste tomatoes of all time.
'San Marzano' is considered one of the best, most flavorful paste tomatoes of all time. Whole tomatoes peel easily, and cook down to sauce quickly.
Various strains of 'San Marzano' exist; this particular strain came from the USDA gene bank, an institution established in 1958 to preserve genetic diversity and increase food security. The strain originates, however, from Parma, Italy, where it was developed for the 1950's canning industry.
Compared to other 'San Marzano' strains we've tested, the fruits borne on this strain have outstanding flavor and a very traditional 'San Marzano' shape, as well as a more vibrant red color.
(Indeterminate, 78 days.)
'Blue Beech' is a sausage-type heirloom paste tomato that fairly brims with flavor.
'Blue Beech' is an heirloom variety known as a "sausage-" or "pepper-type" paste tomato — producing large, elongated fruits that are easy to process into sauce. While it makes for an excellent canning tomato, it also has very good fresh eating quality.
This variety was originally brought from Italy during WWII; its name is said to derive from the Vermont farm where it was first introduced to the U.S.
'Blue Beech' is well-adapted to cooler, northern climates and resists disease and blossom end rot better than most heirloom sausage types we tested.
(Indeterminate, 82 days.)
'Wisconsin 55' is a resurrected strain of a classic, flavorful slicer.
'Wisconsin 55' is a popular OP variety developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison that has been a workhorse with farmers' market growers for over 60 years. A great slicer for fresh eating, but also well-suited to canning, especially stewed tomatoes.
Along with its classic tomato flavor, 'Wisconsin 55' offers some tolerance to early blight and Septoria leaf spot.
There are several strains available, many of which have drifted away from the original and changed over time. The strain we offer is a rare, older source that we acquired from the University of Wisconsin, Madison plant geneticist, Ted Bingham, who had frozen seed that was purchased in the 1960's. This strain produces healthier plants and more consistently sized fruits with fewer plant defects than other commercially available strains.
(Indeterminate, 80 days.)