You’d better guess. The tomatillos are not baby tomatoes. Exactly. Tomatillos may be translated as “little tomatoes,” but they are something else entirely. So what are tomatillos? Let us explain.
Mexican cuisine is very popular with tomatillos. So let’s get started. Fruits like these (yep, they’re fruits, just like tomatoes and cucumbers) may be native to Mexico (and primarily grown there). However, American farmers adopted them because they are resistant to disease.
Tomatillos, commonly known as husk tomatoes, resemble green, unripe tomatoes that cover themselves with a leafy husk. Fruits are a beautiful bright green color, which fades somewhat as they are cooked.
In the fresh state, tomatillos are tart, bright, and almost citrusy in flavor. The most common way to prepare them is cooked, but they can also be eaten raw. The taste of tomatillos is often retained when they are boiled.
By roasting them, tomatillos become a little sweeter, reducing their tartness. We will discuss the two types of tomatillos in this article- purple and green.
Purple Tomatillo vs Green Tomatillo
| Purple Tomatillo | Green Tomatillo | |
| Versatility | Popular in Mexican dishes | Flavoring in green salsa |
| Antioxidants | Reliable source | Reduced quantity |
| Flavor | It’s like sweet-tart | Has a slightly sharp taste |
| Widely available? | Yes! | Not as popular |
Purple Tomatillo
Tomatillos in purple colors are unique and hard to find. At maturity, they have a diameter of about 1 or 2 inches and are rounded like a golf ball. Tomatillos have a papery husk that becomes brown as they mature.
The husk turns green, then brown, then splits open. As the fruit ripens, its pale green exterior turns into a dark purple hue, and its bright green interior is tinged with the same rich purple color.
The Purple Tomatillo is a unique variety of open-pollinated tomatillos that stands out in your garden. Once adequately exposed to sunlight, the unique heat-loving fruits have a deep violet skin and bright green flesh.
Purple tomatillos are sweeter and fruitier in flavor than green tomatillos, and they can be eaten straight from the vine or mixed with green tomatillos to make delicious salsa. To ensure that the plants produce the most significant possible fruits, the suckers can be pruned as they grow to remain vigorous and heavy-yielding.
Tomatillos with a purple color have a rich flavor that is tangy-sweet, much sweeter than their green counterparts. They have hints of citrus, plum, and pear that are mild in acidity. A semi-determinate plant with heavy branching, dark green leaves, and purple veins, this plant is a good yielder and can reach just over three feet.
It is easy to incorporate tomatillos into a heart-healthy diet since they are like many fruits and vegetables. Because tomatillos are naturally low in sodium and high in potassium, they may aid in regulating blood pressure. The antioxidant properties of vitamin A and C in tomatoes make them an effective antioxidant against free radicals.
While they have the same taste as their green cousins, purple tomatillos add a bit of excitement to your dishes because of their beautiful color. Despite their low-calorie content, Purple Tomatillos provide 21 calories per 1/2 cup serving of whole food.
Tomatillos have a high water content so that they can be consumed in large portions without weight. With virtually no added sugar, salsa made from tomatoes or tomatillos is an excellent condiment choice that’s healthy, flavorful, and almost sugar-free.
A good source of antioxidants and cancer-fighting compounds, anthocyanins are responsible for the purple color of Purple tomatillos.
As well as being good sources of beta-carotene, which is good for your eyes, and niacin, which improves energy levels throughout the day, tomatoes also contain decent amounts of antioxidants. The potassium-sodium ratio of tomatillos is also positive, reducing blood pressure.
Green Tomatillo
The most popular form of this shrub is green. The plant’s fruit can grow up to 4-5 cm in diameter, but at the end of the season, you can still collect anything smaller since they will still produce great savory dishes even though they will not be as sweet.
There is enough evidence to suggest that green tomatillos contain anticancer phytochemicals, almost similar to those found in purple ones.
Researchers have discovered that withanolides found in tomatillos, such as Ixocarpa Lactone-A, are not only antibacterial but also effective anti-cancer agents, reducing the risk of several types of cancers and leukemia.
The Vitamin C content of green tomatoes is very high–they provide 20% of the daily requirement. Tomatillos contain Vitamin C. It is important for enhancing your immunity and regulating white blood cells’ maturation process.
Typically, green tomatillo plants produce about four ounces of green fruit (welcome to the world of tomatillos) and are covered by a papery husk resembling a Chinese lantern flower.
It is usually less than the purple tomatillos. Salsa verde is mainly made of tomatillos, whose interiors are white and have a tangy/sweet taste.
Unlike purple tomatillos, green tomatillo plants produce fruit while still green, and the fruit gets its name from this green color. The foliage of the plants looks very much like a tomato.
Comparing Green Tomatillo And Purple Tomatillo
Most people prefer to eat purple tomatillos over green ones because of their unique and robust taste. Aside from its citrus and acidic flavors, purple tomatillos have a sweet taste. On the other hand, green tomatillos do not have any sweetness.
Purple tomatillos are widely used as food, and they can make more dishes. Green tomatillos tend to be used for making green salsa. Tomatillos with green leaves contain more tart compounds than those with purple leaves. It is healthier to eat a purple tomatillo instead of a green tomatillo.
Purple tomatillos taste more like ground cherries with a nutty sweetness. The green tomatillos, on the other hand, have a citrus flavor. Purple tomatillos can be eaten raw since they are sweet enough. On the other hand, the green tomatillos cannot be eaten raw since they have a citric flavor that is unpleasant or unpalatable when they are natural.
Common Uses Of Both Types Of Tomatillos
Even though it may seem unfamiliar to some, fans of Mexican food enjoy the tomatillo regularly. It is called miltomate by many Mexican and Guatemalan people. Salsa verde is a combination of green fruit and peppers, and it is traditionally used as a base ingredient in both cultures.
Green tomatoes will not yield the same results as tomatillos, despite their name meaning “little tomato.” Despite the name tomatillo meaning “little tomato,” green tomatoes will not produce the same flavor as tomatillos. Tomatillos are the only way to get the authentic flavor of these dishes.
Health Benefits Of Green Tomatillos
Promote Digestion
Like most vegetables, the fiber in green tomatillos makes it a healthy food for digestion. Food and stool become bulkier after being digested with fiber in them. In this manner, it facilitates food’s passage through the digestive tract, preventing conditions such as bloating, constipation, cramps, and excess gas.
Can Help Treat Strep Throat
A common bacterial infection in children and adults alike, streptococcal throat causes inflammation and pain in the throat. The Streptococcus bacteria are responsible for driving this condition, which can be easily spread among people.
Green Tomatillos kill the Streptococcus bacteria and reduce inflammation in the throat due to their antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties.
Health Benefits Of Purple Tomatillos
Contains Fiber
2.6 grams of fiber are found in one cup of Purple tomatillos, or about 10% of daily fiber needs for women and 7% of daily fiber needs for men. Dietary fiber is an essential nutrient for maintaining regular waste elimination and providing bulk in stool.
Additionally, it enhances the digestion of carbohydrates by slowing their absorption into the small intestine and bloodstream, reducing the risk of spikes in blood sugar levels associated with diabetes.
Rich In Niacin Content
Adding Purple tomatillos to your diet also contributes to your daily niacin intake. Each cup of chopped tomatillo provides approximately 15 percent of the daily niacin requirements for men and 17 percent for women.
The chemical reactions that convert food into energy require niacin for the cells to function correctly. It also promotes cellular communication, which is essential for tissue function.
The Bottom Line
The above guide contains everything you need to know about both green and purple tomatillos. Both varieties have their own benefits and uses. They both offer a unique flavor. Some people prefer the taste of green tomatillos instead of purple ones or vice versa.
But with clear facts, purple tomatillos are a better choice than green tomatillos as they offer more strong taste and are sweet. Try both types of tomatillos, and you’ll know which one is best for you.