The Difference Between Plum Tomatoes And Roma Tomatoes, Revealed!
We all know that you can’t beat a great tomato, whether it’s sweet cherry or heirloom.
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But there are two kinds of tomatoes that deserve special mention: The plum and the Roma.
Similar in shape and size but with subtle differences that make them perfect for different dishes, they’re both essential to any good cook’s pantry.
What’s special about plum?
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The plum tomato is smaller, rounder, and sweeter than the roma tomato.
It’s also more delicate to handle.
All these qualities make it a good choice for making sauces and other dishes where you want to have a lot of flavor without adding too much texture or bulk to your recipe.
For example, if you wanted to make a fresh salsa, you could use plum tomatoes because they’re very juicy and will produce more liquid than roma tomatoes.
The extra liquid would help keep your salsa from getting too thick when stored in the refrigerator for later use.”
What’s special about Roma tomato?
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If you’re a tomato aficionado, this difference may not be apparent to you.
But if you’re in the market for Roma tomatoes—or just curious about them—you should know what sets them apart from their purple and green cousins.
Roma tomatoes are smaller than plum tomatoes.
They average about 2 ounces each and are generally rounder than plums, with fewer lobes and creases.
Romas are usually more acidic than plum varieties; they also have more juice and fewer seeds because of their dense texture (which is why they’re often used to make sauces).
This makes them popular among cooks who want to cut down on the acidity of their dishes by adding vinegar or lemon juice; it also makes them ideal candidates for canning and freezing whole or diced into sauces, soups, salsas, pastes, ketchups etc…
Are Roma and plum tomatoes the same?
The Roma and plum tomato are very similar in terms of appearance, taste, and use.
They are both heirloom varieties that have been cultivated for over 100 years.
Both can be found at farmers markets or grocery stores during the summertime months.
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They come in a range of colors as well: red, yellow and orange to name a few!
Due to their similarities they can be used interchangeably in most recipes—especially when making sauces or sandwiches because they are both medium-sized tomatoes with thick skin that makes them ideal for those dishes.
However if you’re looking for something smaller let us help you decide which one is right for your needs!
Plum vs Roma tomato: What’re the similarities?
Both the plum and Roma tomato varieties are plum tomatoes, meaning that they’re very thick-skinned and have an elongated shape.
They’re both good for cooking and salads, but in terms of taste and texture, there’s one big difference:
The Roma tomato has a thinner skin than the plum variety—and it doesn’t have as many seeds inside.
Because of this, Romas are more likely to be eaten raw.
Plum tomatoes aren’t always used raw in salads because they can make things too watery if you don’t seed them first (which is why they’re usually cooked).
Plum vs Roma tomato: What’re the differences?
Let’s look at the main differences between plum and Roma tomatoes, from their size to their flavor.
- Plums are smaller than Romas—they weigh about 15 to 20 grams more than a Roma tomato, with only slightly shorter lengths.
- Because of this size difference, you’ll notice that plums have a more pronounced stem on them than Romas do—in some cases, it sticks out quite far from the fruit itself!
- This may seem like an obvious difference at first glance but it’s actually important because a large gap between the top of your tomato and where its stem attaches can affect how well they hold up when they’re being prepared or stored in your fridge (which we’ll talk about later).
- Another thing worth mentioning is that plum tomatoes have smoother skin than Romas do; not only does this mean fewer seeds but also that there’s less risk for bruising or tearing during transport or prep work.
Can I substitute Roma tomatoes for plum tomatoes?
The short answer is yes, you can substitute Roma tomatoes for plum tomatoes.
Romas have a more acidic flavor and more flesh than plums, so they’re often used for recipes that require a sweeter and firmer texture.
They’re great for salads, sauces and salsas because of that firmness; they hold up well in any dish where you want to use the tomato as part of the recipe—not just as an ingredient.
Romas are also excellent when canned because they don’t lose their shape as easily as plums do under pressure during processing.
Therefore, this variety is ideal if you’re looking to make homemade spaghetti sauce or salsa verde at home!
Which one is better: Plum or Roma tomato?
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Both of these varieties are good choices.
Plum tomatoes are more acidic and roma tomatoes have more meaty texture, so they’re better for cooking.
But if you want to eat them raw, plum tomatoes are better because they have a sweeter flavor.
Roma tomatoes are also more popular than plum tomatoes and tend to be cheaper, but if you can find them at a decent price, plums make for a nice alternative if you don’t want to pay extra for roma’s versatility or popularity.
Conclusion
Now that you know the differences between these tomatoes, it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your needs.
You can use plum tomatoes in dishes where a sweeter flavor will be more welcome or where firmness isn’t an issue; if you want something roasted or stewed, then plums are going to work better than Romas.
If your recipe calls for thicker slices of tomato with some thickness, then Romas are the way to go.
The choice is yours!
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