Ever bite into a tomato and think, “Why doesn’t every tomato taste like this?” That is the magic of heirloom produce—a wildly flavorful, often quirky-looking category of fruits and vegetables that are grown the old-fashioned way: for taste, not for looks.
At Misfits Market, we love our knobby carrots, speckled tomatoes, and wildly juicy stone fruit. But when it comes to heirloom fruits and vegetables? We’re obsessed. They’re a cornerstone of our assortment and a delicious way to support biodiversity and better farming.
Let’s dig into what makes heirloom produce so special—and why your next grocery haul should definitely include some.
Keep reading: Why We Sell Heirloom Produce at Misfits Market
What Is Heirloom Produce?
Heirloom produce refers to fruit and vegetable varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation, often for decades (if not centuries). These aren’t your average, mass-produced supermarket varieties—they’re the result of careful seed saving, natural cross-pollination, and a deep commitment to flavor.
While there’s no single definition, most heirloom varieties are:
- Open-pollinated (meaning they’re naturally pollinated by wind, insects, or birds)
- Non-GMO and not commercially bred for shelf life or uniformity
- Selected for their unique color, texture, and flavor profiles
Think: juicy red-orange heirloom cherry tomatoes with sweet, floral notes. Or blush-toned heirloom apricots with tangy depth and a fleeting season.
What Makes Heirloom Produce Different?
Heirloom produce marches to the beat of its own drum. While traditional grocery store fruits and veggies are often bred for things like size, shape, and shipping durability, heirloom fruits and vegetables are grown with other goals in mind—namely flavor and biodiversity.
Some key differences:
- Flavor-forward: Heirloom varieties tend to be richer, sweeter, or more complex in taste than their mass-market counterparts. However, while not always bred for sweetness, many heirloom varieties deliver bold, complex, and sometimes unexpected flavor profiles.
- Visually unique: One heirloom tomato might be deep purple with green stripes. Another might look like a sunset. And that’s kind of the point.
- Nutrient-dense: Some heirloom varieties may even offer more vitamins and antioxidants, since they haven’t been selectively bred to the point of blandness.
What Does Heirloom Produce Taste Like?
Flavor depends on the variety, but here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Heirloom tomatoes: Bold, sweet, and tangy—perfect for slicing and drizzling with olive oil.
- Heirloom stone fruit: Juicier and more fragrant, with deep, nuanced flavors that change with every bite.The short answer: oftentimes heirloom produce just tastes better. Most of these fruits and veggies were bred for flavor, and it shows.
- Heirloom citrus: Intensely juicy and aromatic, often with more complexity than conventional varieties
Is Heirloom Produce Better?
If “better” means more flavorful, less uniform, and grown in a way that supports seed diversity and small farms—then yes, heirloom produce is better in a lot of ways.
That said, heirloom produce isn’t better because it’s perfect. It’s better because it’s not. It’s gnarly. It’s seasonal. It’s fleeting. It reminds us that food doesn’t need to be flawless to be delicious.
Why Heirloom Produce Is Worth It
Whether you’re building a summer caprese with heirloom tomatoes or roasting up some deep-orange heirloom carrots with wild roots, these produce varieties deliver incredible flavor and a story worth telling.
- Often grown for taste, not looks
- Packed with flavor and nutrients
- Supports biodiversity and small farms
- Deliciously imperfect—and seasonally special
Where to Buy Heirloom Produce
Many grocery stores don’t carry heirloom produce—either because of its short shelf life, limited availability, or imperfect appearance. But at Misfits Market, we go out of our way to source it directly from growers who prioritize flavor over flash.
In fact, we’ve got a whole roundup of our favorite heirloom finds—from tomatoes and citrus to popcorn and pizza sauce. Check out our full list of heirloom foods sold at Misfits Market here. Then, try our heirloom produce in these tasty recipes: