What tomatoes are good for tomato juice?
Tomato juice is a delicious and nutritious drink that can be made easily at home with ripe, juicy tomatoes. The key to great tasting tomato juice lies in using tomatoes that are flavorful, sweet, and low in acidity. Certain tomato varieties have characteristics that make them ideal for juicing. Let’s explore some of the best options when selecting tomatoes to make refreshing glasses of homemade tomato juice.
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Beefsteak tomatoes are a classic juicing variety. These large tomatoes have dense, meaty flesh that provides rich tomato flavor. They contain fewer seeds compared to other types of tomatoes. Their low acidity results in sweet, mild tasting tomato juice. Slicing beefsteak tomatoes in half before juicing helps extract more juice from the flesh. Some popular beefsteak tomato varieties for juicing include:
- Brandywine – An heirloom variety with a rich, complex flavor.
- Big Zac – A hybrid with bright tomato taste.
- Mortgage Lifter – A big, meaty heirloom type.
Paste Tomatoes
Paste tomatoes have a high solid content, few seeds, and are designed for cooking down into tomato products. These attributes also make them a smart choice when juicing tomatoes. They have a thicker consistency and more pulp compared to slicing tomatoes. Popular paste tomato varieties include:
- Roma – A widely available oblong paste tomato with few seeds.
- Opalka – An heirloom paste variety with exceptional flavor.
- Amish Paste – A meaty, juicy heirloom hybrid paste tomato.
Plum Tomatoes
Plum tomatoes are a type of paste tomato that tend to be more oval or egg shaped. Their firm flesh and sparse seed cavities make them ideal candidates for tomato juicing. They have a rich, concentrated tomato flavor that comes through nicely in homemade tomato juice. Look for these plum tomato varieties:
- San Marzano – A popular Italian paste variety used for sauce and juice.
- Speckled Roman – Heirloom type with sweet, robust flavor.
- Amish Paste – Juicy, meaty hybrid plum tomato.
Cherry Tomatoes
Although small, cherry tomatoes can still be used to make tomato juice. Their sweetness adds nice flavor complexity to the juice. Since cherry tomatoes contain more seeds and less flesh, supplement them with other tomato varieties when juicing. Some top cherry types for tomato juice include:
- Sun Gold – Very sweet, fruity hybrid tomato.
- Super Sweet 100 – Prolific, very sweet hybrid.
- Black Cherry – Gorgeous heirloom with rich flavor.
Other Tomato Tips
In addition to selecting juice-friendly tomato varieties, here are some other tips for making tasty homemade tomato juice:
- Use fully ripe tomatoes for best flavor and sweetness.
- Mix colors and varieties for complexity.
- Add vegetable juice for additional nutrients.
- Use salt, spices, or herbs to enhance the juice.
- Chill juice before serving for refreshing coldness.
Nutrition Info
Tomato juice packs in many vital nutrients. Here is the nutrition profile for one cup of raw tomato juice (made from two large tomatoes):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 41 |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Sodium | 9 mg |
| Potassium | 497 mg |
| Carbs | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Protein | 1.6 g |
| Vitamin C | 23% DV |
| Vitamin A | 20% DV |
Health Benefits
Drinking tomato juice offers many excellent health benefits, including:
- Heart health – Tomato juice contains lycopene, potassium, folate, and other nutrients that support heart health.
- Cancer prevention – Studies show the lycopene in tomato juice may help lower risk of prostate, lung, stomach, and colon cancers.
- Vision health – The vitamin A in tomato juice helps maintain healthy eyes and prevent vision issues.
- Immune booster – The vitamin C content helps support immune function and fights infection.
- Anti-inflammatory – Tomato juice provides anti-inflammatory benefits that may ease joint pain and arthritis symptoms.
Tomato juice is also very low in calories, fat, and sodium, making it a smart, nutritious beverage choice any time of day.
Conclusion
Creating fresh, homemade tomato juice is easy and fun with flavorful, juicy tomatoes. Look for beefsteak, paste, plum, and cherry tomatoes to get the best results. Mix and match varieties for added complexity. Tomatoes juice packs in many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that deliver major health benefits. Drink tomato juice as a nutritious start to your day or anytime you want a refreshing, tomato-powered boost.
