Beefsteak, cherry, slicer and saucer varieties of tomatoes will all be available at the second annual Tomato Fest.Later this month, Ooltewah Nursery and Landscape Co. will celebrate the king of Southern summers: the tomato.
"Everyone always waits for them; it's a herald that summer is here, whether you're looking to grow or just eat them," said Ooltewah Nursery Marketing Director Angel Miller.
Beefsteaks, saucers, slicers and cherry varietals will all be available at the nursery-hosted farmers market during its second annual Tomato Tasting Thursday, July 27 from 3-6 p.m.
The idea for the tasting is to allow the public to sample some of the lesser-known varieties of tomatoes that exist, Miller said. Often, the business has 60-70 varieties of the fruit from which to choose, making it easy to simply flock to the most recognized types.
"There's so many choices, and it can be hard to know what to choose," Miller said. "But when you have the opportunity to try them it can help you find your favorites. It's a boon for the farmers but also helps people be more satisfied with their purchases."
Each attendee will receive a ballot in addition to the tomato samples to rank them according to personal preference. After the event, organizers will tally the tomato count and announce a winner in each category: beefsteak, saucer, slicer and cherry.
For more information, visit ooltewahnursery.com/events/tomato-tasting. The Ooltewah Farmers Market, held at the nursery, runs year-round each Thursday from 3-6 p.m. in the summer and 3-5 p.m. in the winter. The nursery is at 5829 Main St. in Ooltewah.