You Think You’ve Seen Tomatoes. You Haven’t.

You think you’ve seen tomatoes. You haven’t.
Not until you’re standing in a Grand Frais in May with 17 varieties staring you down, each with its own sign—origin, use case, and personality—like it’s running for office.

France has over 400 heirloom tomato varieties, with dozens showing up at markets and specialty grocers like Grand Frais during peak season.

The season starts as early as April in the south, but really hits its stride from June through September. That’s when varieties like Noire de Crimée, Ananas, Green Zebra, and Coeur de Bœuf take over and quietly shame whatever you grew up calling a tomato.

Tomato pride here is serious business.
Even the cherry tomato has six subtypes—round, oblong, yellow, black, on the vine, and solo stars—because of course it does.

Labels describe flavor like wine: acidulé, fruité, très parfumé.
You’re not shopping. You’re being educated.

And yes—you will absolutely be judged for using the wrong tomato in a salad versus a sauce.

Not loudly.
Not directly.

Just… internally. And forever.