• Heirloom tomatoes come in many varieties.tomatoes with basil on plate image by Elke Dennis from Fotolia.com
  
  Heirloom tomatoes got their name from the fact of being passed down from generation to generation. Commercial versions of these tomatoes have become increasingly popular in recent years, as growing companies have learned to cultivate them through a process of open pollination. These flavorful tomatoes come in many different varieties and offer that sweet fresh taste that people look forward to each summer.
  
  

Chocolate Striped Heirlooms

• These tomatoes got their name from the telltale brown stripes running down their sides. They are sweet and have a taste all their own. Many gardeners enjoy the fact that this delicious fruit can be grown into the fall months, when other tomatoes have died out.
  
  

Italian Heirloom

• Just as their name suggests, these tomatoes originated in Italy. They are smaller than the average heirloom and provide a sweet, acidic flavor. This tomato is good for cooking and works great for salads as well.
  
  

Andrew Rahart's Jumbo Red

• This tomato is an heirloom in its truest form. The plant has been passed down for several generations and is now offered to the public. It's a hearty beefsteak good for sandwiches. They grow really large and are very juicy.
  
  

Dagma's Perfection

• This tomato stands out due to its yellow coloring. It is not as large as most of the tomatoes, but tastes similar to fruit from the tropics. This tomato makes an excellent dessert or cold salad.
  
  

San Marzano Redorta

• The San Marzano is another Italian tomato that is usually used for cooking. Most tomato-based sauces, such as marinara, are made with this type of tomato. It is small and pear shaped with a juicy, sweet tasting flesh.
  
  

Sunset's Red Horizon

• This unusual tomato is relatively new to most people and first came to the United States when it was brought over from Russia by immigrants. They not only produce fruit far into the autumn months but are also immune to those early frosts that kill most plants.
  
  

Paul Robeson

• Another immigrant from Russia, this heirloom is what is known as a black tomato. The flattened fruit is very acidic and earthy tasting and has won many awards for its appearance. This tomato is good for growing in cooler climates, as it originated in a colder region of the world.
  
  

Homer Fike's Yellow Oxheart

• This sweet tasting heirloom got its name from the way it grows into the shape of a heart. The fruit has been known to reach up to 3 pounds and has plenty of flesh with very few seeds.
  
  

Giant Belgium

• This tomato got its name from its massive size. The skin is slightly pink and it can grow to nearly 5 pounds in size. This heirloom is best used for canning or cooking.
  
  

Amana Orange

• This one is named aptly for its orange appearance. The beefsteak grows relatively large and produces fruit for several months. The taste is unique and it gives off a hint of fruit flavor. This tomato is a good choice for anyone who likes a bit of variety in their garden.