From brick-red to intense maroon, the tomatoes in this test varied greatly, with the most flavourful ones often also being the richest in tone. I measured the sugar content using a Brix refractometer, and the tomatoes’ sweetness also varied hugely, from a sometimes bland and watery Brix score of four (each point represents 1% sucrose in the juice by mass) to a satisfyingly sweet seven.
I also scored the tomatoes on overall flavour. The sweetness of the best examples is well balanced, with a refreshing acidity, a fresh and potent tomato leaf aroma, and a complex umami profile that provides an explosion of flavour in the mouth. I also awarded points for value for money, provenance, transparency and growing methods – though, disappointingly, an organic certification did not necessarily equal the flavour I’ve come to expect.
Because tomatoes are a seasonal crop, flavour and availability will change over the summer. Depending on when you buy them, you may find different varieties in shops from those tested here.
Even ripe-looking tomatoes will benefit from being left on the countertop for a few days, so they ripen further and improve in flavour. Never keep them in the fridge, because that adversely affects their texture and taste.
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The best supermarket vine tomatoes
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Best overall:
Morrisons the Best Viola Cocktail tomatoes
£2.15 for 300g at Morrisons (72p/100g)
★★★★☆
A medium-size, wonderfully deep maroon-coloured variety called Viola Cocktail, grown by Isle of Wight Tomatoes. Proof that delicious tomatoes can be grown in the UK. Quite sweet (Brix score of seven) with a low acidity and incredible, rounded umami flavour.
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Best bargain:
Ocado organic tomatoes on the vine
£2.25 for 400g at Ocado (56p/100g)
★★★★☆
A large, round, deep scarlet-red Ronvine tomato grown in Essex with Soil Association organic certification. A strong green-tomato vine aroma and noticeably fresh stalks. A firm, fleshy classic sandwich tomato with a subtle sweetness (four on the Brix scale) and a little acidity. Freshness, organic status and price make this my best bargain.
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And the rest …
M&S organic Rosa vine tomatoes
£2.50 for 375g at Ocado (67p/100g)★★★★☆
A medium-large round tomato with an intense orange-red skin, and grown in the UK. Medium sweet – Brix score of five – with a low acidity and rich umami flavour. One of the better-value entries.
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Tesco sweet vine-ripened tomatoes
£1.15 for 255g at Tesco (45p/100g)★★★☆☆
Medium-sized, orange-red Saint Anna tomatoes grown in the Netherlands. Medium sweet, these have a Brix score of five, with a simple flavour and a wonderfully lush, tomato leaf aroma.
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Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Majestic vine tomatoes
£2.05 for 300g at Sainsbury’s (68p/100g)★★★☆☆
A small- to medium-size juicy, brick-red tomato called Annico Cove, grown at Thanet Earth in Kent, the UK’s largest greenhouse. A mild flavour, but relatively sweet, with a Brix score of six.
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Asda Exceptional vine-ripened tomatoes
£2.06 for about 445g at Asda (about 46p/100g)★★☆☆☆
A large, round variety called Roterno, grown in Scotland. A mild sweetness, with a Brix score of four and a flat, one-dimensional flavour. A very standard sandwich tomato.
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Co-op Irresistible Pick of the Crop vine-ripened tomatoes
£2.65 for 420g at Co-op (63p/100g)★★☆☆☆
A medium-size, round Sweeterno tomato grown in Hertfordshire. A traditional sandwich tomato with a subtly mild sweetness and Brix score of five, and very firm flesh and skin.
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Waitrose No 1 red choice vine tomatoes
£2.70 for 300g at Waitrose (90p/100g)★★☆☆☆
A medium-size, glossy, round, scarlet-red tomato called P1, grown in the Netherlands. Firm flesh but without much substance; watery and mild-flavoured, too, with some sweetness – Brix score of five.
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Wholegood organic round tomatoes on the vine
£3.25 for 450g at Ocado (72p/100g)★☆☆☆☆
A medium-size, round organic Spanish tomato with gold-flecked skin. Firm but flavourless, with a low Brix score of four. Packaged in a tray with compostable film.
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Natoora Sicilian vine-ripened tomatoes
£3 for 350g at Ocado (86p/100g)★☆☆☆☆
A large, round, orangey-red tomato of unknown variety grown in Sicily. Disappointing, watery and mild in flavour, with a subtle but balanced sweetness, and a Brix score of five. Packed in a cardboard box in compostable film.
For more, read the best supermarket halloumi, tasted and rated
