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Rogue Tomato Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
The Rogue tomato is a relatively new cultivar gaining popularity for its super sweet flavour and noted health benefits. Often called the “candy tomato”, Rogue tomatoes offer exceptional taste and an impressive nutritional profile.
In this article, we’ll look deeper at what gives Rogue tomatoes their distinct candy-like sweetness, their nutrition facts, and the key ways they can enhance your health when added to your diet. Let’s explore why more gardeners and produce lovers turn to Rogue tomatoes!
What Gives Rogue Tomatoes Their Sweet Flavor?
Several inherent characteristics contribute to the ultra-sweet candy-like taste that Rogue tomatoes are coveted for:
- Higher sugar content – Rogue tomatoes have a higher sugar-to-acid ratio than conventional tomatoes, making them less tart.
- Low acidity – With a softer edge, the sweetness of the natural sugars can shine through more.
- Thin skin – The thinner skin allows you to taste more of the luscious interior flesh.
- Fewer pulp sacs – Having less watery pulp, Rogues offer a fuller, more condensed flavour.
- Delicate fruit – Their thinner skins and low acidity make for a sweeter, milder tomato taste.
- Heirloom genetics – As an heirloom, the flavour was selected over yield or shelf life.
- Optimal growing – Rogue producers perfect soil nutrition and sunlight to maximize sweetness.
Thanks to this winning combination, it’s easy to understand why Rogue tomatoes earned their candy-like reputation and make ordinary tomatoes pale in comparison!
An Overview of Rogue Tomato’s Nutrition Facts
In addition to their incredibly sweet flavour, Rogue tomatoes provide an exceptional amount of nutrition:
- Calories and macros – One Rogue tomato contains 32 calories, 7g carbs, and 1.5g protein. They are low in fat and cholesterol free.
- Vitamin A – One Rogue tomato provides 50% of the RDI for vitamin A from beta-carotene. This is crucial for eye health.
- Vitamin C – A single Rogue tomato contains 40% of the recommended daily Vitamin C, supporting your immune system.
- Vitamin K – Necessary for blood clotting, Vitamin K is abundant in Rogue tomatoes.
- Potassium – With 411mg potassium per tomato, Rogues help control blood pressure.
- Lycopene – A potent antioxidant, lycopene protects your cells from damage and lowers disease risk.
- Carotenoids – Rich in health-promoting carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
For their small size, Rogue tomatoes pack a serious punch regarding nutrition!
Top Health Benefits of Rogue Tomatoes
Let’s explore some of the biggest ways that feasting on Rogue tomatoes can boost your health:
1. Rogue Tomatoes Reduce Cancer Risk
Multiple studies link the lycopene in Rogue tomatoes to lower prostate, breast, lung, stomach and colon cancer risks. The lycopene fights free radical damage and stops the formation and spread of cancer cells.
2. Rogue Tomatoes Protect Your Vision
The lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene in Rogue tomatoes support eye health and prevent macular degeneration, a leading cause of age-related blindness.
3. Rogue Tomatoes Strengthen Your Bones
The abundant vitamin K in Rogue tomatoes facilitates calcium absorption for building healthy, strong bones. The potassium also counters excess calcium loss.
4. Rogue Tomatoes Improve Heart Health
Rogue tomatoes provide lycopene, potassium, vitamin C and other antioxidants that promote heart health by improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and artery function.
5. Rogue Tomatoes Boost Immunity
With plentiful vitamin C and carotenoids, Rogue tomatoes reinforce your immune response against infectious bacteria and viruses trying to make you sick.
6. Rogue Tomatoes Enhance Skin Health
Radiant, youthful skin depends on antioxidants to combat ageing free radicals. Rogue tomatoes provide compounds like lycopene to protect your skin cells.
7. Rogue Tomatoes Aid Blood Clotting
The vitamin K content in Rogue tomatoes enables proper blood clotting function, preventing excessive bleeding from injuries and wounds.
8. Rogue Tomatoes Support Digestion
The fibre and water in Rogue tomatoes keep digestion regular and prevent constipation. Lycopene may also defend against inflammatory bowel disease.
9. Rogue Tomatoes Improve Mental Health
Lycopene has been linked to improved mood, memory, and cognitive function. It protects the brain and nerves against damage.
Treat yourself to sweet Rogue tomatoes for whole-body nourishment!
How Do Rogue Tomatoes Compare to Other Tomato Varieties?
How do Rogue tomatoes stack up against other popular tomato varieties regarding flavour, texture, and nutritional benefits?
Let’s compare:
| Tomato Variety | Comparison with Rogue Tomatoes |
|---|---|
| Roma | Rogues are sweeter with a less bitter flavour. Romas have a meatier, drier texture. |
| Cherry Tomatoes | Both are sweet, but Rogues are larger with thinner skins and more tender flesh. |
| Slicers | Rogues have a more delicate and complex flavour than beefsteak and other slicing tomatoes. |
| Heirlooms | Rogues have more vitamin C than Brandywine. They have lower acidity than Black Krim or Cherokee Purple. |
| Grape Tomatoes | Rogues are larger than grape tomatoes, but both offer a condensed sweetness. |
| Green Zebra | Rogues contain 4x more beta-carotene than Green Zebras. |
While all tomatoes have merits, the extraordinary sweetness combined with abundant vitamins gives Rogues an advantage in flavour and nutrition.
Tips for Selecting and Enjoying Rogue Tomatoes
Follow these tips to select the tastiest Rogues and enjoy them at their flavorful best:
- Inspect carefully: Look for plump, blemish-free tomatoes with taut skin and no bruises or soft spots.
- Seek vine-ripened: Opt for Rogues ripened fully on the vine for developed complexity over commercially picked ones.
- Shop in season: Time your purchase during peak tomato season (July – September) for ultimate flavour.
- Store at room temperature: Never refrigerate raw tomatoes, which damages texture and taste.
- Use quickly: Plan to eat fresh Rogue tomatoes for the best quality within 2-3 days of purchasing.
- Slice just before eating: Wait to cut into Rogues until ready to eat to preserve moisture and flavour.
- Use as a finishing touch: Add raw Rogue slices, wedges, or halves as a garnish or topping to highlight their taste.
- Enjoy: The sweetness needs little adornment. Enjoy Rogue slices salted or drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.
- Don’t overcook: Gentle cooking enhances natural sugars; high heat diminishes Rogue’s delicate essence.
Follow these guidelines to appreciate Rogue tomatoes at their ultimate sweetness!
Simple Serving Ideas For Rogue Tomatoes
Here are just a few appetizing ways to enjoy Rogue tomatoes:
| Recipe | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Caprese Salad | Alternate fresh mozzarella, Rogue slices, basil leaves, EVOO, and balsamic on toothpicks. |
| Pasta Topping | Dice and mix Rogue tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, herbs, and parmesan over hot pasta. |
| Bruschetta | Roughly chop Rogue tomatoes, combine with olive oil, salt, and basil. Spoon on toasted baguette slices. |
| Gazpacho | Blend chopped Rogue tomatoes with cucumber, bell pepper, onion, garlic and spices for a chilled soup. |
| Panzanella Salad | Toss cubed Rogue tomatoes with cucumbers, stale bread, onion, basil, EVOO, and vinegar. |
| Grilled Skewers | Thread Rogue chunks with other veggies and shrimp on skewers and grill. |
| Flatbreads | Top pizza dough or naan with sliced Rogues, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto and fresh basil. |
| Quesadillas | Fill a tortilla with Rogue slices, shredded Mexican cheese, black beans and cilantro. |
| Breakfast | Add sliced Rogues to an omelette or breakfast sandwich for a nutrition boost. |
With their stellar flavour, it’s easy to highlight Rogue tomatoes in creative recipes.
How to Grow Your Rogue Tomato Plants
Want fresh-from-the-vine Rogue tomatoes? Consider growing some in your vegetable garden! Here are some tips:
- Purchase Rogue seeds or seedlings from reputable sources either locally or online. Look for heirloom varieties.
- Plant after any danger of frost has passed in early summer. Rogues need warm weather.
- Amend soil with compost or fertilizer to provide nutrients for the best growth.
- Allow at least 3 feet between plants so they have room to spread.
- Stake or cage Rogue plants to keep them supported and prevent contact with soil.
- Water at soil level consistently to maintain even moisture. Avoid overhead watering.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
- Pinch off suckers and trim wayward growth so the plant’s energy goes to the tomatoes.
With ideal growing conditions, you can enjoy homegrown Rogue tomatoes for months!
Storing and Preserving Rogue Tomatoes
Rogue tomatoes don’t keep long fresh, but their sweet flavour can be extended through these preservation methods:
- Canning – Cook down Rogue tomatoes into sauce, puree or stewed tomatoes in jars using a standard water bath canning technique for shelf-stable pantry storage.
- Freezing – Place halved, crushed, or diced Rogues in freezer bags or containers, leaving headspace. They’ll keep 6-8 months.
- Drying – Use a dehydrator or oven to dry Rogue tomato slices into tasty, healthy, dried tomatoes. Store in airtight containers.
- Juicing – Run ripe Rogue tomatoes through a juicer, then freeze or can the sweet tomato juice concentrate to enjoy out-of-season.
- Roasting – Oven-roast halved Rogues seasoned with olive oil and herbs. Freeze, can, or store in oil to preserve.
With minimal time and effort, you can stock up on Rogues to relish year-round!
Potential Concerns and Considerations
While extremely healthy for most people, here are some things to keep in mind regarding Rogue tomatoes:
- Due to their thin skins, Rogues are more susceptible to splitting or bruising if not handled gingerly.
- Those with acid reflux or GERD may find raw Rogues irritating despite their lower acidity. Cooked preparations are better tolerated.
- Because Rogues are an heirloom variety, their yield tends to be lower than commercial hybrid tomatoes optimized for prolific growth.
- Always thoroughly wash Rogues to remove any lingering pesticides, dirt or debris before eating.
- Some people have oral allergy syndrome triggered by raw tomatoes. Cooking neutralizes allergens.
- Consult your doctor before consuming large amounts of Rogues if you have kidney disease or are on blood thinners.
As with any fruit or vegetable, moderation and sensitivity to personal tolerances is wise. Rogue tomatoes are a safe, healthy addition to anyone’s diet when enjoyed in reasonable amounts.
The Bottom Line on Rogue Tomato Nutrition and Benefits
With their tantalizing sweetness, delicate texture, and impressive nutrient content, Rogue tomatoes offer flavour and health advantages over conventional tomato varieties.
Their standout candy-like taste comes from a perfect sugar balance, acidity, thin skin, and heirloom genetics.
Packing beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and protective plant compounds, Rogue tomatoes support heart health, cancer prevention, immunity, skin health, digestion, vision, and much more.
It’s easy to enjoy their sweetness in raw preparations and cooked dishes. Once discovered, these candy-like tomatoes become a favourite seasonal treat that supports whole-body health.
So next time you spot plump, juicy Rogue tomatoes at the market, grab a few to add sweetness and nutrition to your diet! Just one taste, and you’ll be hooked.