With all due respect to Carolyn, (She is the greatest) of course taste will vary. I live in NE Colorado, what we call "dry land" farming. 12 inches rain fall. Sweet corn is about 6 inch ears and so much sweeter. Some years watermelons make it and are so much better than irrigated. I think lack of water makes for more sugar. I think lots of things could effect taste. Last year my cherokee purple was a spitter. It Could have been a bit sick though.

I don't recall Carolyn ever saying that the only influence on flavor is the cultivar.

In fact, among the many things I've learned from Carolyn & the other more experienced tomato growers on this forum is that there are many influences on flavor... temps, humidity, rain, soil, fertilizer, on & on.

As growing conditions change, so does the taste of the fruit.

I don't recall Carolyn ever saying that the only influence on flavor is the cultivar.
In fact, among the many things I've learned from Carolyn & the other more experienced tomato growers on this forum is that there are many influences on flavor... temps, humidity, rain, soil, fertilizer, on & on.

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No, I've never said that the only influence of taste is the variety. What I have said many times, which is true, is that the PRIMARY determinant of taste are the genes in the DNA of a variety but of course all the other variables mentioned above can influence taste in terms of gene expression, which can vary within a season and from season to season for a specific variety.

Carolyn

I believe that the soil has a lot to do with it to. My soil is really high in potassium and phosphorus, like off the scale high. My pH is also high, so I add sulfur.

Well I was reading and there is some research being done about flavor and soil. Two positives were potassium and sulfur. They were suppose to add lots of flavor. I guess that is why my tomatoes taste so good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil Fertility and Flavor

No, I don't think you are imagining things! Your observations
are consistent with mine. Fruit flavor does certainly vary with weather conditions through the season--in particular too much rain seems often to dull down the flavor.

A similar thing happens with hot peppers (hungarian hot wax, for example). Dry season--very hot. Wet season--kinda wimpy.

Carolyn, I apologize for misquoting you. You did actually say it was the PRIMARY influence and not the only one.

I tip my hat to you, as will anyone here. Your knowledge is unsurpassed.

Anyway, the flavor hasn't really lived up to the tomatoes I grew last summer. Let's hope the weather cooperates so we can get tasty ones!

jrslick,

Very interesting article about the effect of salts on tomato taste. I was under the impression that salts are bad for a garden, but I guess it makes sense that a little salts (just like a little of everything) is good in a garden, just as it is good in making quality compost.

I decided to go organic instead of using MG this year. Last year I used MG fertilizer. Maybe the absence of salts from the MG is one reason the fruits don't taste as good this year as they did last year.

Darn, well...back to the drawing board.