These are the varieties that our grandparents and great grandparents grew many years ago that are full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and cancer preventing agents.

There is simply no comparison to the dry, flavorless things you find at the supermarket.
Heirloom tomatoes deliver the mouth-watering, old-time taste you remember, or may have never experienced... juicy, delicious, tangy, sweet, smooth, succulent, old-fashioned tomato taste.

The colors normally determine the amount of acidity

Darker colors are more acidic

Lighter colors are less acidic.

The more red a tomato has, generally follows with the amount of sweetness

The greener a tomato, determines tartness.

Yellow and orange varieties have a mild and sweet flavor

While purple and black varieties have a bold, rich, acidic flavor.

To get the famous heirloom flavor from your own garden just plant some tantalizing heirloom varieties this year.
They are not only easy to grow, but are as hearty and disease resistant as commercial hybrids.
These tomatoes generally fall into one of four categories:

The Commercial Heirloom. Open pollinated tomato varieties that were introduced by seed companies before 1940.

The Family Heirloom. Favorite tomato varieties whose seeds have been saved and passed down from generation to generation.

The Created Heirloom. A tomato that's been crossed deliberately using two heirlooms, or an heirloom and a hybrid, to have certain characteristics. Initially a hybrid, it becomes dehybridized through saving and replanting the seeds for about 5 seasons, until it grows consistently true to what the breeder has in mind.

and

The Mystery Heirloom. A tomato that arises accidentally from natural cross-pollination in the garden. This is the way most heirloom varieties originated.

Heirloom catalogs and other sites of interest..

Heirloom Seeds -The best source for heirloom vegetable, flower and herb seeds.
* Most orders ship next business day!
* All the varieties of seeds we sell are open pollinated (non-hybrid) and untreated.
* None of the seeds we sell are genetically engineered.
* Quality seeds at low prices. Low handling charge. Free shipping.
* Selection of gardening books for the beginner or experienced gardener.
* A variety of garden supplies and non-toxic products for insect control.
* Gift Certificates available.

Appalachian Seeds -We grow a wide variety of heirloom and open pollinated vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Our goal is to provide you with a RELIABLE source of Organic Seeds and plants grown and processed on our certified organic farm.

Tomato Fest -Starting the 2003 season with 400 varieties of (CCOF) certified organic, open-pollinated seeds. We've selected, grown and harvested our tomato seeds at Lone Willow Ranch and bring to you the world's best-tasting tomato varieties.

the Chef's Garden -The Chef's Garden is a plant nursery specializing in herb plants, heirloom tomatoes, and vegetable plants for growing your own gourmet kitchen garden. We help beginners get started and teach simple techniques for growing vegetables and herbs naturally that make gardening easy and fun. Our culinary herb plant varieties and heirloom tomatoes are chosen especially for adding the freshest flavor to your cooking.

Heirloom Tomatoes -An Heirloom Paradox by Bill Best.