Decorah-area gardeners looking for tomatoes for sandwiches, sauces or fresh snacking have three varieties to investigate after visitors at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm near Decorah chose category favorites during a free Aug. 22, 2026, tasting.

The tasting did not name one overall winner. Instead, participants sampled, compared and voted on 22 tomato varieties, selecting a leading tomato for each of three common kitchen uses. The results offer a practical starting point for gardeners deciding which varieties to research for next season, while leaving room for differences in growing conditions, recipes and personal taste.

Which tomatoes led each category?

  • Bookie: Visitors gave Bookie the most support as a slicing tomato. It was selected for fresh eating, including slices for sandwiches, salads and similar meals.
  • Rizzi Softball Plum: This variety led the cooking category. Participants chose it for sauces and other cooked dishes, making it a possible option for gardeners planning to prepare or preserve tomatoes.
  • Chocolate Cherry: Chocolate Cherry was the favorite among visitors who preferred eating tomatoes directly from the garden.

For people growing tomatoes around Decorah, the category-based results can help narrow a long list of possibilities. Gardeners focused on sandwiches or salads may want to investigate Bookie. Those planning sauces or other cooked dishes can compare Rizzi Softball Plum with additional cooking varieties, while Chocolate Cherry may appeal to people who enjoy eating tomatoes immediately after picking them.

A starting point—not a growing guarantee

The tasting results do not establish that any of the three selected varieties will outperform every other tomato in every Decorah-area garden. A variety’s performance and flavor can change with local growing conditions and individual preferences. The voting reflected what visitors liked at the tasting, not a universal ranking for every garden or recipe.

Because participants sampled 22 entries, the event also exposed them to tomatoes they might not otherwise have considered. Reducing the results to three varieties tied to familiar kitchen uses created a focused list for further research rather than declaring one tomato the best choice for every purpose.

Seeds and preservation work at Heritage Farm

Seed Savers Exchange provided follow-up information for attendees interested in the selected varieties. Participants were directed to research Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while seeds for Chocolate Cherry were available for purchase through the organization.

The tasting was part of Seed Savers Exchange’s broader seed-preservation work at Heritage Farm near Decorah. Visitors sampled, compared and voted while learning more about the organization’s work with seeds and plant varieties.

Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks supported the tasting. Seed Savers Exchange also thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and voted.