What does roma mean?
A roma is an elongated tomato variety known for firm, meaty flesh and relatively low moisture. Because it holds its shape well during cooking and breaks down into a smooth consistency, it is frequently used for sauces, soups, stews, and tomato paste. It is also widely called an Italian plum tomato, although not every plum-shaped tomato is a roma. The word is common in North American English and is also recognized in British English, especially in recipes and food-industry terminology. Romas are generally more suitable for cooking than for eating fresh, though their concentrated flavor can also make them effective in salads and roasted dishes. Their name is connected with Rome and Italian cuisine, while the cultivar has become a familiar supermarket vegetable well beyond its regional origins.
nounA tomato variety with an elongated shape and relatively firm, meaty flesh, widely used in sauces and pastes. It is also called an Italian plum tomato.
- An elongated tomato variety with firm, meaty flesh, used especially in sauces, pastes, and other cooked preparations.
"She roasted Roma tomatoes with garlic and basil before blending them into the sauce."
"Roma tomatoes work well in long-cooked sauces because their flesh breaks down into a smooth consistency."
"The recipe calls for two cups of chopped roma and a small amount of olive oil."
Also commonly used in the unchanged plural “Roma tomatoes.”
"Several romas were left to ripen on the kitchen counter."
Its name points to Rome, but its defining culinary virtue is practicality: firm, meaty flesh that produces a smooth, richly flavored sauce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does roma come from?
The word comes from Italian Roma, meaning “Rome,” in the name of a tomato variety associated with Rome and Italian cooking. English borrowed the name for the cultivated tomato during the twentieth century. Its wider relatives, including Roman, Romani, and romanize, ultimately trace to Latin forms referring to Rome or Roman identity.
How roma is actually used
The common noun is generally written in lowercase, although commercial labels may capitalize “Roma.” It is often shortened from “Roma tomato” or used in the plural “Roma tomatoes.”
Easily confused with roma
Rome is the capital of Italy, whereas roma commonly names a tomato variety associated with Italian cuisine.
A plum tomato is a broader category of elongated tomato, while roma is a specific variety distinguished by its firm flesh and frequent use in sauces.