Gardeners near Decorah have three more tomato varieties to investigate after visitors at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm sampled and voted on 22 entries during a free tasting on Aug. 22, 2026.
The event did not identify one tomato as the overall winner. Instead, attendees selected a favorite for each of three common uses: slicing, cooking and eating fresh from the garden. The category-based results give local gardeners a focused starting point, but they do not establish a single best variety for every garden, recipe or growing season.
Which tomatoes led each category?
- Bookie: Visitors favored this variety as a slicing tomato. The tasting report said it appealed to people looking for tomatoes to eat fresh, including in sandwiches and salads.
- Rizzi Softball Plum: This variety led the cooking category. Participants selected it for sauces and other cooked dishes, making it a possible option for gardeners who plan to prepare or preserve tomatoes.
- Chocolate Cherry: This was the favorite among visitors who preferred eating tomatoes directly from the garden. Seeds were available for purchase through Seed Savers Exchange after the tasting.
What the results mean for Decorah-area gardeners
The votes may help gardeners narrow their choices for next season. Someone focused on sandwiches or salads may want to research Bookie. Gardeners planning sauces or other cooked dishes can compare Rizzi Softball Plum with other cooking varieties, while Chocolate Cherry may suit people who enjoy eating tomatoes immediately after picking them.
Still, the tasting results should be treated as visitor preferences rather than a definitive growing guide. Flavor and performance can vary with growing conditions and personal taste. The three varieties were selected based on what attendees liked during one tasting, not on a season-long comparison of every garden in the Decorah area.
Sampling 22 entries also exposed visitors to varieties they might not otherwise have considered. Organizing the outcome around three familiar kitchen uses gave gardeners a practical list to research without declaring one tomato superior for every purpose.
Seed information and event support
Seed Savers Exchange provided follow-up information for people interested in the selected varieties. Attendees were directed to research Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry seeds could be purchased 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.