Grape and cherry tomatoes may look similar, but they aren’t actually the same product. While they can often be used in place of the other, you may find that you prefer one for one type of dish and the other for a different dish.
6 Differences Between Grape and Cherry Tomatoes
1. Size and Shape
Cherry tomatoes are a bit larger and rounder in shape than grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are more oval or oblong and are the size of large grapes.
2. Water Content
Cherry tomatoes contain more water than grape tomatoes. Because of their high water content, they often squirt when they are bitten into or cut.
3. Color Options
Cherry tomatoes come in all colors, from yellow and orange to brown to the deep red they are known for. Grape tomatoes are typically only available in red varieties.
4. Fragility
Cherry tomatoes have a thicker skin, making them easier for recipes that call for stuffing. Grape tomatoes have a thinner skin, making them more difficult to hollow out.
5. How Long They Last
Grape tomatoes last longer than cherry tomatoes and typically don’t need to be refrigerated at all, while it is recommended to keep cherry tomatoes refrigerated to keep them fresh.
6. Taste
Cherry tomatoes, because of their higher water content, are sweeter than grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes taste more like a typical tomato and have a higher acid content.
Can Grape and Cherry Tomatoes Be Used Interchangeably?
For the most part, you can use either type of tomato in whatever recipe you want. However, cherry tomatoes are better for any recipe that requires the tomatoes to be stuffed.
Additionally, grape tomatoes are better for recipes where you want to leave the tomatoes small but whole, while cherry tomatoes work well in recipes where you want to cut your tomatoes into halves or quarters.
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