Throughout centuries of agriculture, many of our crops have been hybridized in order to isolate their more marketable qualities. Generations of crossbreeding the various types of tomato, the tomato gene pool has been heavily homogenized. As the species loses its diversity, we are not only losing an exciting array of culinary options, but we are also leaving our remaining tomatoes vulnerable to pests and disease. This is why it is so important to protect our heirloom tomatoes.
Heirloom tomatoes are not, by themselves, a tomato species. Rather, the term can be applied to any type of tomato gene pool that has been preserved and passed down for an extended period of time. In commercial agriculture, an heirloom tomato can be any open-pollinated tomato variety that has been in circulation for at least fifty years.
Unfortunately, many surviving heirloom tomatoes are disappearing as small family farms shut down. The good news is that an increased demand for such tomatoes is better assuring the survival of remaining varieties. At Amaro Bistro, we are doing our part by making use of heirloom tomatoes in many of our dishes. Visit our Bothell Italian restaurant for an heirloom tomato formaggi today!