FREE UK P&P ON ORDERS £25+
DEFRA LICENSED - 100% HEIRLOOM, OPEN-POLLINATED, SMALL BATCH, HIGH QUALITY SEEDS
Top Five Old & Rare Tomato Seeds With Outstanding Flavour
Discover five old and rare tomato seed varieties prized for exceptional flavour, from heritage favourites to unusual varieties worth growing.
HEIRLOOM TOMATO INFORMATION
7/30/20264 min read
For gardeners and food lovers alike, flavour is everything, and that’s where old and rare heirloom tomato seeds truly shine. These heritage varieties have been preserved for generations, prized not for uniformity or shelf life, but for their exceptional taste, colour and character.
Growing them at home allows you to experience tomatoes as they were meant to be: rich, diverse and bursting with flavour.
Why Choose Rare Heirloom Tomato Seeds?
Rare heirloom tomatoes offer a depth of flavour often missing from modern hybrids. Being open-pollinated, they can be saved and grown year after year, making them both sustainable and rewarding to cultivate.
Many varieties also display unique colours, shapes and textures, adding visual interest to your garden and your plate. Their natural diversity can also bring resilience and adaptability, making them an interesting choice for varied UK growing conditions.
‘Mortgage Lifter’ Tomato
‘Mortgage Lifter’ is a legendary heirloom tomato seed with a great story and impressive yields of huge, flavourful tomatoes. Its reliability, size and balanced taste make it a must-grow for gardeners wanting both productivity and classic tomato flavour.
Growing Information
Tomato seed type:
Indeterminate (cordon), large beefsteak variety
Growing requirements:
Thrives in a greenhouse or warm, sunny outdoor position. Requires rich, fertile soil and regular feeding for the best results.
Growth habits:
Vigorous, tall-growing plants producing large, heavy fruits over a long season.
Maintenance requirements:
Needs strong staking or support due to the size of its fruits, along with regular side-shoot removal and consistent watering to help prevent splitting.
Flavour profile:
Mild, sweet and meaty with low acidity, making it excellent for slicing and sandwiches.
History
Developed in the 1930s by M.C. Byles, known as “Radiator Charlie”, in West Virginia, USA, this variety was famously sold to help pay off his mortgage, hence the name. By carefully crossbreeding large-fruited tomatoes, Byles created a vigorous, high-yielding plant that quickly gained popularity for both its impressive size and dependable performance.
‘Paul Robeson’ Tomato
‘Paul Robeson’ is celebrated for its exceptional depth of flavour and striking dark colouring. A favourite among tomato enthusiasts, it delivers gourmet-quality fruits and adds real character to any grower’s collection.
Growing Information
Tomato seed type:
Indeterminate (cordon), medium-sized slicing variety
Growing requirements:
Best grown in a greenhouse or a warm, sunny, sheltered outdoor spot. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil and consistent feeding.
Growth habits:
Tall, productive plants that produce clusters of slightly flattened, dark mahogany fruits.
Maintenance requirements:
Requires staking or cordon support, regular side-shoot removal and even watering to maintain fruit quality.
Flavour profile:
Rich, smoky and complex, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
History
Named in honour of the American singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson, this variety is believed to have been developed in the Soviet Union before later being introduced to Western growers. It quickly gained a reputation for its unique flavour and remains a prized heirloom among tomato collectors worldwide.
‘Big Rainbow’ Tomato
‘Big Rainbow’ is a true showstopper, combining impressive size with beautiful bi-colour marbling. Its sweet, gentle flavour makes it perfect for fresh slicing and summer salads.
Growing Information
Tomato seed type:
Indeterminate (cordon), large beefsteak variety
Growing requirements:
Best grown in a greenhouse or a warm, sunny, sheltered outdoor position. Requires fertile, well-drained soil and regular feeding to support large fruit production.
Growth habits:
Vigorous plants producing very large, slightly flattened fruits with golden-yellow skin streaked with red.
Maintenance requirements:
Needs strong staking or support, regular side-shoot removal and consistent watering to help prevent cracking and ensure even growth.
Flavour profile:
Mild, sweet and fruity with low acidity and a smooth, juicy texture.
History
‘Big Rainbow’ is an American heirloom variety believed to have originated in Minnesota. It has been grown for decades by home gardeners and seed savers, valued for its large, colourful fruits and reliable performance. Its striking appearance and mild flavour have made it a favourite among heirloom tomato enthusiasts.
‘Ananas Noire’ Tomato
‘Ananas Noire’ is prized for its extraordinary colouring and outstanding flavour. Its beautiful, marbled flesh and tropical sweetness make it a standout choice for both gardeners and food lovers.
Growing Information
Tomato seed type:
Indeterminate (cordon), large beefsteak variety
Growing requirements:
Best grown in a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered outdoor position. Requires fertile, well-drained soil and regular feeding to support its large fruits.
Growth habits:
Vigorous plants producing large, slightly ribbed fruits with striking marbled skin in shades of green, red, yellow and brown.
Maintenance requirements:
Requires strong staking or support, regular side-shoot removal and consistent watering to help prevent splitting.
Flavour profile:
Sweet, rich and complex, with fruity notes and low acidity.
History
‘Ananas Noire’, meaning “Black Pineapple”, is a relatively modern Belgian heirloom bred by Pascal Moreau. Despite its more recent origins, it has quickly become a favourite among heirloom enthusiasts thanks to its unique appearance and exceptional taste, earning a place alongside more traditional heritage varieties.
DEFRA LICENSED
Join the Seed Envy Community and receive exclusive offers and the latest news on new heirloom seed varieties straight from us.
Subscribe to our newsletter
