San Marzano vs Roma Tomato: Which One is the Superior Choice?
What To Know
- The size of a Roma tomato is larger than a grape cherry tomato but smaller than a regular round tomato.
- This type of tomato also has a balanced taste thanks to its low acidity, so if you don't like the sour taste of most common tomatoes on the market, the Roma variety will be a good option.
Which is the best tomato for sauce, San Marzano or Roma?
This has been a topic of debate for years, but which one is actually better?
Continue reading to find out for yourself!
What is special about San Marzano tomatoes?
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San Marzano tomatoes are a variety of tomatoes that is prized for their flavor.
These tomatoes are grown in the San Marzano region of Italy, hence the name.
They are reputed for having a sweet, rich flavor that makes them perfect for sauces and dishes like pizza and spaghetti.
A special feature of this variety of plum tomatoes is their shape.
San Marzano tomatoes have a long and thin shape (similar to chili peppers) instead of being round like other common types of tomatoes.
San Marzano tomatoes are typically used in Italian cuisine and are considered to be one of the best types of tomatoes for making tomato sauces.
You can buy fresh San Marzano tomatoes to make your own sauce.
Otherwise, there are plenty of brands for canned San Marzano tomatoes or San Marzano tomato sauce sold on the market for you to choose from.
What is special about Roma tomatoes?
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Roma tomatoes are a type of medium-sized plum tomatoes.
They are also known as Italian tomatoes or Italian plum tomatoes.
The size of a Roma tomato is larger than a grape cherry tomato but smaller than a regular round tomato.
It also tends to have a pointed bottom.
Roma tomatoes have a firmer flesh than other types of tomatoes and have less water content, making them ideal for making sauces or for using in dishes like stews or salsa.
This type of tomato also has a balanced taste thanks to its low acidity, so if you don’t like the sour taste of most common tomatoes on the market, the Roma variety will be a good option.
What are the differences between San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes?
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are two different types of tomatoes with some key distinctions mentioned below:
| San Marzano tomatoes | Roma tomatoes | |
| Origin | San Marzano region in Italy | Common grown in Mexico, Australia, and the United States |
| Appearance | Long and cylindrical (resemble large chili peppers) | Round with pointed bottom |
| Size | Larger (about 3 oz) | Smaller (about 2 oz) |
What are the similarities between San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes?
Despite some differences in the origins, appearances, and sizes of San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes, these two types of tomatoes also share many things in common:
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes both have a firmer texture and less water
The first similarity between San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes is their textures.
Both are not as juicy as cherry or other regular tomatoes.
They have a firm texture, thick skin, and contain less water.
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes have a balanced taste with the tangy and sweet flavors
Another thing in common between San Marzano and Roma tomatoes is their taste.
Both are likely to be sweeter than regular tomatoes.
They are known as low-acidic tomatoes, so you can feel the balance between the tanginess and sweetness of these tomatoes.
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are rich sources of nutrients
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are both rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, E, and many other minerals as well as antioxidants which help boost your immune system and general health.
Therefore, having them in your diet is a great way to enjoy delicious dishes without sacrificing flavor.
San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are typically used to make sauces
Due to the firm texture, in fact, San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are ideal options to make sauces.
While other juicy tomatoes can be enjoyed as a yummy and healthy snack, they turn mushy easily when heated.
When it comes to San Marzano and Roma tomatoes which contain less water, you can easily use them for making different kinds of sauces, or cooking soups and stews.
Which one is better?
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In general, San Marzanos and Roma tomatoes are both great for all kinds of sauces due to their sweetness and less juicy texture.
Juicy and watery tomatoes will be better for eating raw or cooking up in some dishes like sauteing, while firm tomatoes like San Marzanos and Roma varieties are both excellent options for making sauces.
So feel free to shop for either San Marzanos tomatoes or Roma to have the best tomato sauce to enjoy with your food.