Beefsteak vs. Beefmaster

Ed of Somis · November 22, 2015

Last week I bought both varieties of seed. Does anybody have feedback on these two? I am trying to figure out which one is the better cultivar.

Cole_Robbie · November 22, 2015

I believe "Beefsteak" when used as a variety is Crimson Cushion. I don't like it at all. Other people might. If you want a ribbed red tomato, I like Marmande much better.

Ed of Somis · November 22, 2015

hi cole....I do not understand your comment about "beefsteak used as a variety". If I am not mistaken..."Beefsteak" is a distinct variety and "Crimson Cushion" is an heirloom variety that is completely separate..

Gardeneer · November 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed of Somis

hi cole....I do not understand your comment about "beefsteak used as a variety". If I am not mistaken..."Beefsteak" is a distinct variety and "Crimson Cushion" is an heirloom variety that is completely separate..

It is confusing at the best.
Conventionally "Beefsteak" refer to a class of tomatoes. But I have heard that actually there is a variety called "beefsteak".
But this is not going to help you, Ed.

Personally, I wont try a variety unless it is well reviewed. That is why I am going to grow BIG BEEF and BETTER BOY. again , this is not going to help you, Ed.

Gardeneer

AlittleSalt · November 22, 2015

Ed, I've been curious about Beefsteak over the years. I've read that beefsteak is a descriptive word of a certain size = large and firm. Basically any 12-16 oz. firm tomato.?.

I found a pack of seeds at Walmart. The variety name is Beefsteak. It says 8-12 oz.

Gardeneer · November 22, 2015

Salt, does it say Hybrid or OP?Heirloom ?

I would not trust that brand of seeds to be true. Though I like the price. I have bought various seeds at Walmat years ago, bu not any tomato seeds.
The tomatoes in that picture looks like Big Boy, to me.

Gardenee

Cole_Robbie · November 22, 2015

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....09&postcount=4

I got nothing off the plant I grew this past summer. A friend of mine had one, too, and he got nothing as well. Maybe it's great for someone else, but I have only seen it do poorly, next to other plants that did well.

AlittleSalt · November 22, 2015

Gardeneer, they don't have any info. I was told that the seeds come from other places sold in bulk, and then sold cheap under that name on the pack.

Cole, to me, it is confusing too. I won't have room for them in next spring's garden. I was waiting on my wife who was in a mandatory meeting of employees at Walmart - Beefsteak variety took up time, so it has already produced for me. I'll most likely offer them in trade or give them away.

Ed, I've seen BeefMaster in the stores around here for years. I've never tried it. Hybrids are very popular here in this part of Texas - or at least were popular. I've noticed this year, stores offering transplants have more OP varieties than hybrids. That could be because the gourmet world is wanting flavor instead of supermarket tomatoes.

Ed of Somis · November 22, 2015

Well, I appreciate all the input...and maybe we all can learn something. People do refer to "beefsteak type" tomatoes. They are generally the largest in size. There is also a "Beefsteak" variety. That is really what I was referring to. I believe it is an OP variety. I grow many heirloom tomatoes...but I am not an heirloom snob...haha. I have found some folks who do like Beefmaster. Basically, I am like Gardeneer...I prefer not to blindly waste my time/efforts on totally unknowns. That is why you all are so important. Mutually, we represent hundreds of varieties...and with it, some experiences. If I do not get some positive feedback for "Beefsteak"...I will stick to "Beefmaster" and the others I have already grown before or at least know about.

zipcode · November 23, 2015

Isn't the generic name of beefsteak (tomato) coming from the variety Beefsteak? Or am I remembering wrong?

sdambr · November 23, 2015

here is the link from Tatiana's
http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Beefsteak

variety beefsteak also known as ponderosa red, crimson cushion, and scarlet beefsteak

ContainerTed · November 23, 2015

And check out some of the vendors at flea markets. They sell a large 10-12 oz oblong, slightly oblate tomato that they purchase by the box or flat from the local supply houses. When you ask what the name is, they all say "Beefsteak". The beefsteak seeds sold by the American Seed label is not the same. They are more round and markedly smaller.

Around here, there's a cultural thing. Folks don't want to have to remember a lot of names. They just call them whatever comes to mind in the middle of a conversation. My brother knows only that there are "Cherry", "Little'uns", and "Ponderosa" type tomatoes. We talk all the time about his red, pink, and yellow "ponderosas".

Nawwww. He too old to change now.

He does love the Sungold F1's I give him each year. He calls them "sweet oranges".

In today's marketing frenzy to get our dollars, the suppliers will name things whatever they think will sell it to us quickest. It's not about being historically accurate. They know that most consumers just don't care as long as the taste is "passable".

Deborah · November 23, 2015

Ted, when I was a kid (California) all sodas were called cokes even if they weren't Coke or cola. So I know what you mean about tomato names. I've always thought that beefsteak meant the "real" tomato flavor-not sweet, not sour.

ContainerTed · November 23, 2015

Yeah, Deborah. For us, all sodas were "Pop". I had all kinds of communication problems when I joined the U.S. Air Force and left home.

AlittleSalt · November 23, 2015

One of my earliest memories was going to a feed and seed with my grandfather to pick up some garden seed. There was a drink machine there and the drink cost 5 cents. If you had an empty bottle for deposit - the cokes were free. We called them all cokes too no matter what flavor.

November 22, 2015	#1
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Beefsteak vs. Beefmaster Last week I bought both varieties of seed. Does anybody have feedback on these two? I am trying to figure out which one is the better cultivar.

November 22, 2015	#8
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Gardeneer, they don't have any info. I was told that the seeds come from other places sold in bulk, and then sold cheap under that name on the pack. Cole, to me, it is confusing too. I won't have room for them in next spring's garden. I was waiting on my wife who was in a mandatory meeting of employees at Walmart - Beefsteak variety took up time, so it has already produced for me. I'll most likely offer them in trade or give them away. Ed, I've seen BeefMaster in the stores around here for years. I've never tried it. Hybrids are very popular here in this part of Texas - or at least were popular. I've noticed this year, stores offering transplants have more OP varieties than hybrids. That could be because the gourmet world is wanting flavor instead of supermarket tomatoes. Last edited by AlittleSalt; November 22, 2015 at 10:02 PM.

November 23, 2015	#11
sdambr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 421	here is the link from Tatiana's http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Beefsteak variety beefsteak also known as ponderosa red, crimson cushion, and scarlet beefsteak __________________ Sue "There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein

November 23, 2015	#12
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	And check out some of the vendors at flea markets. They sell a large 10-12 oz oblong, slightly oblate tomato that they purchase by the box or flat from the local supply houses. When you ask what the name is, they all say "Beefsteak". The beefsteak seeds sold by the American Seed label is not the same. They are more round and markedly smaller. Around here, there's a cultural thing. Folks don't want to have to remember a lot of names. They just call them whatever comes to mind in the middle of a conversation. My brother knows only that there are "Cherry", "Little'uns", and "Ponderosa" type tomatoes. We talk all the time about his red, pink, and yellow "ponderosas". Nawwww. He too old to change now. He does love the Sungold F1's I give him each year. He calls them "sweet oranges". In today's marketing frenzy to get our dollars, the suppliers will name things whatever they think will sell it to us quickest. It's not about being historically accurate. They know that most consumers just don't care as long as the taste is "passable". __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

November 23, 2015	#13
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	Ted, when I was a kid (California) all sodas were called cokes even if they weren't Coke or cola. So I know what you mean about tomato names. I've always thought that beefsteak meant the "real" tomato flavor-not sweet, not sour. __________________ "The righteous one cares for the needs of his animal". Proverbs 12:10

November 22, 2015	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I believe "Beefsteak" when used as a variety is Crimson Cushion. I don't like it at all. Other people might. If you want a ribbed red tomato, I like Marmande much better.

November 22, 2015	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Salt, does it say Hybrid or OP?Heirloom ? I would not trust that brand of seeds to be true. Though I like the price. I have bought various seeds at Walmat years ago, bu not any tomato seeds. The tomatoes in that picture looks like Big Boy, to me. Gardenee

November 23, 2015	#10
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Isn't the generic name of beefsteak (tomato) coming from the variety Beefsteak? Or am I remembering wrong?