Tomatoes vary widely in fruit size. There are varieties with very large fruit weighing 2 or even 3 pounds or more, as well as tiny tomatoes the size of a pea. The following classification characterizes tomatoes in terms of the size of the fruit.
Tiny, currant, or spoon tomatoes are the smallest tomatoes in the world. They grow up to about 10mm in diameter and have a mostly round shape. However, recently-created new varieties can also be more elongated, like little grapes, and have pointy ends. Tiny tomatoes are great for garnish.
Cherry tomatoes are very small, 1-1.5 inches in diameter or 15-40g in weight fruits. Cherry tomatoes come in almost every shape these days – round, slightly flattened or elongated, pear-shaped, or with pointy ends. They can also be of any tomato color, both inside and outside. They often surprise with their delicious, sweet taste and are most often eaten fresh, as a snack, or added to colorful summer salads.
Saladette-type tomatoes weigh from about 2-3 oz. (40-80g). They are perfect for salads, but also great as a snack. Most saladette-type tomatoes are round in shape, but there are also varieties with elongated or slightly flattened fruits.
Small tomatoes weigh from about 3-5 oz. (80-120g). This type of tomato fruit is great for salads or salsa. Small tomatoes can have different shapes and colors. Meaty, elongated small tomatoes are perfect for canning in whole and are great for all types of tomato dishes through the winter.
Medium-fruited tomatoes are a very popular and popular group of varieties. This group includes varieties whose fruit weighs from 5 to 8 oz. (120-250 g). They work great as slicers. This group includes many commercial varieties, as this size of fruit is most sought after by customers.
Large tomatoes are varieties with fruits that range in weight from about 9 to 16 ounces. It is the most popular and favorite size of fruit by gardeners. This type of fruit is perfect both to be eaten fresh, especially on sandwiches and in salads, but also for cooking and making sauces or juices.
Extra Large tomatoes are varieties that can bear fruits that reach a weight of more than a pound to even 3 pounds. These are the most common beefsteak or sometimes ox-heart type varieties. Most often they have an irregular shape and wavy shoulders. These varieties often have also moderate yields. Plants set fewer fruits, which are however very large.
