Tomato Taste Results: Citrine Shines Through

We had more than 300 people come to today's Washington Gardener Magazine 15th Annual Tomato Taste at the FreshFarm Silver Spring Market. Here are the results of the ballots submitted.

1. Citrine from The Farm at Our House
2. Sun Gold from Mock's Greenhouse   
3. Purple Cherry from Mock's Greenhouse   
4. Dixieland Gold (Dixie Golden Giant?) from Ben's Produce
5. Cherry Bomb from The Farm at Our House        
6. Cherokee Purple from Ben's Produce
7. Juliet from Quaker Valley Orchards  
8. Spiral Sweet Grape Tomato from Spiral Path Farm    
9. Sweet Treats from The Farm at Our House     

This year the top three tomatoes had the vast majority of votes -- those sweet cherry varieties are hard to beat! The winner 'Citrine' had 2/3 of the total vote -- it wasn't even close.  The rest of the pack were separated by just a few votes. This shows you that there were no real "losers" in this batch and that every tomato had its share of hard-core fans. Talking to folks, after they voted, they each insisted their chosen tomato was far superior to the others and I heard raves for each of the 9 choices.

Do take a minute to click on the photo link here to view the Facebook album of photos from the event. I think you will agree that the market tomatoes are absolutely gorgeous and very photogenic -- and so are the market patrons!

Big thanks to Chef Sara Hayden of Vita Cooking School who joined us this year and shared her Gazpacho recipe and to Dimitri Olive Oil for the Balsamic Viniagrette we used on additional tomato tasting samples (and they donated a couple more bottles for the prize package!).

In addition to the tastings, many people stopped by to create colorful tomato art and to pick up the free tomato seeds, growing tips, and recipes that we gave out.

We gave out a gift bag full of gardening goodies, tomatoes, and market money to one of the tomato taste voters. Congratulations to EJ!  Her parents told us she is a HIGE tomato fan and was thrilled to win.

Most of the taste attendees were local, though we also had many who came quite a distance. About two-thirds live in Silver Spring. Another third live close by in Washington, DC or the neighboring towns of Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, Hyattsville, etc. A few are from far outside of the area, we even had votes from Illinois, South Carolina, and New Hamshire!

Thank you to all who came and participated. Thanks to the farmers for growing great tomatoes and to FreshFarm Markets staff for hosting us. Special thanks also to our interns (Colin Davan, Ian Ferris, and Miguel Zarate) and volunteers (MD Smith and Alexandra Jentz) for helping with all the tomato sample cutting, vote tallying, and helping greet all the tasters in the short, but jam-packed two-hour event!