Cherry, Pear, and Currant Tomatoes: What are the Differences?

Photo by Gavin Tyte on Unsplash

There’s nothing like a sweet, juicy tomato and when it comes to tomatoes, the smaller ones are the way to go. But with all of the small tomato varieties, what are the differences and can you use them interchangeably? Here are the differences between cherry, pear, and currant tomatoes.

Cherry Tomatoes

There are tons of varieties of cherry tomatoes that range in color from red and yellow to green and black and size. Cherry tomatoes are round and crisp and they can be sweet or acidic. Cherry tomatoes break down more when cooked, which results in a nice flavor in pasta and on skewers.

Pear Tomatoes

Pear tomatoes are really similar to cherry tomatoes, but they’re pear-shaped. They’re usually yellow, but they can come in reds or oranges. They’re more acidic and not as sweet as cherry tomatoes because they are picked earlier in the field.

Currant Tomatoes

These tomatoes are smaller than cherry and pear tomatoes, usually the size of a fingernail. They pack an intense flavor and they’re best in pasta, salads, or tomato jams. When cooking with currant tomatoes, try not to use too much heat, and instead use them as a topping on dishes.