Last year I grew a new variety of tomato for me: the Voyager Tomato.  Also known as Reisetomate or Traveler tomatoes, they are a unique and unusual heirloom variety known for their cluster-like shape. These tomatoes are essentially a collection of small, grape-sized fruit segments fused together into a single, larger tomato. A key feature is that these segments can be easily separated and pulled apart, usually without damaging the other segments, making them convenient for snacking on the go! (…while ‘traveling’ on a ‘voyage’)

They are like a little cluster of cherry tomatoes that you pull apart. I like to think of them as the string cheese of the tomato world.

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Tomatoes have long captured the imagination of breeders and gardeners alike, but few varieties generate quite as much curiosity as the Voyager tomato. With its whimsical, sometimes alien-like shapes and unpredictable forms, the Voyager stands apart—not just for its appearance but for the compelling biology behind it. Let’s take a closer look at how this cultivar came to be, what makes it tick genetically, and why it’s gaining prominence among growers like me who appreciate the unusual.

Table of Contents

• Origins and Development of Voyager Tomatoes
• Understanding Locules in a Tomato
• The Genetic Quirk: Fasciation in Tomatoes
• Voyager Tomatoes vs. Ruffled / Pleated Tomatoes: What’s the Difference?
• Flavor and Kitchen Uses: How Do Voyager Tomatoes Taste?
• Growing the Voyager: What to Expect
• Recipe: Roasted Voyager Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese & Herbs
• Why Grow Voyager Tomatoes?
• Final Thoughts

Origins and Development of Voyager Tomatoes

The Voyager tomato isn’t an accident of nature— but it is not genetically modified either. It’s the result of intentional selection by breeders who wanted to capture the odd charm of fascinated tomatoes while maintaining good flavor, productivity, and disease resistance. “Fasciation”—a natural mutation that affects the way plant tissue grows—has long fascinated plant scientists and tomato enthusiasts. Instead of breeding it out, the creators of Voyager embraced this trait, isolating and stabilizing a line that expresses it consistently in fruit shape, locule arrangement, and overall growth habit.

While many fasciated tomatoes can be unreliable or low-yielding, Voyager has been carefully developed to strike a balance: enough uniformity to grow reliably, but just enough chaos to keep each fruit a delightful surprise.

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Understanding Locules in a Tomato

To appreciate what makes the Voyager tomato unique, it helps to understand a basic part of tomato anatomy: the locule.

A locule is the internal cavity within the fruit where seeds are housed, surrounded by the tomato’s gel-like substance. In most standard slicing tomatoes, you’ll find two to six locules, arranged symmetrically around a central core. This structure gives tomatoes their familiar round or slightly flattened shape and a smooth, uniform surface.

In fasciated or highly mutated varieties like Voyager, the locule structure becomes more complex and unpredictable. Instead of being clean and symmetrical, locules may be:

• Fused or split
• Excessively numerous
• Asymmetrical or spiraling
• Stacked, leading to large bulges, folds, or protrusions on the fruit’s skin

These distortions are part of what gives the Voyager its signature look: knobby, sometimes horned, deeply lobed tomatoes that often appear to be multiple fruits fused into one.

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The Genetic Quirk: Fasciation in Voyager Tomatoes

Fasciation is a genetic mutation that alters how cells divide at the growing point (the meristem). In tomatoes, this can lead to:

• Unusual flower structures
• Flattened stems
• Irregular fruit development

Voyager carries a stable expression of fasciation, likely tied to a mutation in one or more developmental regulator genes, such as fas (which affects locule number) or lc (locule control). These mutations were once seen as defects, but in Voyager, they are part of the charm.

What’s especially intriguing is that fasciation doesn’t just change appearance—it can also affect flavor and texture. Voyager’s dense, meaty flesh and high seed-to-pulp ratio make it excellent for slicing, roasting, or stuffing. And despite its oddball looks, the taste is reliably well-balanced.

Voyager Tomatoes vs. Ruffled / Pleated Tomatoes: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, it’s easy to confuse the Voyager tomato with ruffled or pleated heirloom types. Varieties like Beauty Lottringa, Zapotec Pleated, Coeur de Boeuf and Costoluto fiorentino also have striking, deeply lobed shapes and a dramatic appearance. But while these tomatoes share visual similarities, there are important differences in genetics, fruit development, and structure that set them apart from Voyager.

Genetic Source of Shape

• Ruffled/Pleated Tomatoes: These varieties typically develop lobes and pleats as a result of traditional genetic expression tied to locule number and fruit expansion patterns. Their shape is relatively predictable, and each variety maintains a signature ruffled form across growing conditions.
• Voyager Tomato: Voyager’s shape is driven by fasciation, a genetic mutation affecting meristem growth. This results in irregular, sometimes fused or multi-lobed fruit with less predictability in shape. No two Voyager tomatoes look exactly alike, and fruits may show extreme ridging, horns, or stacked segments.

Internal Structure and Texture

• Ruffled Varieties: Typically have larger internal cavities, sometimes with hollow chambers and thinner walls. They are often prized for stuffing or baking due to their shape and lighter texture.
• Voyager: Features a more compact, dense interior, with tightly packed flesh and minimal gel. Its locules are often fused or misaligned, giving it a meaty texture well suited for slicing or roasting.

Growth and Consistency

• Pleated heirlooms like Zapotec tend to grow more uniformly in shape, and plants often produce fruits that look similar from harvest to harvest.
• Voyager is intentionally bred for variation and novelty—it leans into the unexpected, producing fruits that may be horned, spiraled, or fused depending on flower formation and environmental factors.

While all of these tomatoes are excellent in the right context, Voyager stands apart for those who value the surprise and artistic quality of fascinated fruit. It’s a modern twist on an old-world fascination with the strange and beautiful forms tomatoes can take.

Trait	Voyager Tomatoes	Ruffled/Pleated Heirlooms
Exterior shape	Wild, fused, unpredictable	Regular, symmetrical pleats
Internal structure	Dense, meaty, fused locules	Airier, hollow chambers
Fruit consistency	Highly variable	Consistently ruffled/pleated
Genetic trait	Fasciation mutation	Locule variation
Best uses	Slicing, roasting, visual appeal	Stuffing, baking, fresh use
Cultivars to compare	N/A (unique line)	Beauty Lottringa, Zapotec Pleated, Coeur de Boeuf and Costoluto fiorentino

Flavor and Kitchen Uses: How Do Voyager Tomatoes Taste?

While the Voyager tomato might catch your eye first with its whimsical appearance, its flavor is just as impressive. The flesh is dense, meaty, and low in water content, making it a practical tomato for both fresh and cooked applications.

Voyager tomatoes typically have:

• A rich, balanced flavor—not too acidic, not overly sweet
• Firm texture with small, concentrated seed cavities
• Less juice than high-moisture salad tomatoes

Because of these qualities, the Voyager shines in two key culinary roles:

Best for Fresh Eating & Slicing

The firm, sculptural slices make Voyager a standout on a plate. It’s excellent in:

• Caprese salads (especially when you want to showcase dramatic tomato slices)
• Sandwiches or toasts that benefit from a tomato that won’t make the bread soggy
• Stuffed tomato dishes, where structure matters
• Just pulling apart the sections and eating like cherry tomatoes. Pair with string cheese for a totally fun, kid approved & travel-safe finger food.

Good for Roasting & Thick Sauces

Voyager’s meaty texture holds up well to high heat, making it perfect for:

• Slow-roasted tomatoes with herbs and olive oil
• Oven-dried tomato recipes
• Rustic tomato sauces with a dense, velvety body

While it’s not the most efficient tomato for juicing or making thin, smooth sauces, it excels in any recipe that benefits from flavor and a firmer texture.

Growing Voyager Tomatoes: What to Expect

If you decide to grow Voyager, prepare for a plant that might be a little different from your standard tomato:

• Indeterminate growth habit, meaning it will continue growing and producing throughout the season
• Needs good caging or trellising to support the sometimes awkward-shaped fruit
• Pollination irregularities may occur due to the altered flower structure, so hand-pollination or cage shaking can improve yield. Give your plants a little shake to get the pollen moving.
• Best grown in full sun with well-drained soil and consistent watering

Fruit will vary slightly in size and shape, with some producing compact, multi-lobed or “accordion” forms and others developing long horns, folds, or wings—making every harvest feel like an adventure.

Recipe: Roasted Voyager Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese & Herbs

This rustic tart is an ideal way to highlight the sculptural beauty and savory depth of Voyager tomatoes. The tomatoes roast down into sweet, concentrated slices, paired with creamy goat cheese and a flaky crust for a dish that’s equally at home on a brunch table or as a light dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
• 2–3 Voyager tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
• 4 oz goat cheese (or feta for a saltier bite)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water)
• Optional garnish: chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. You can leave it as a rectangle or trim it into a circle or freeform rustic shape. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
3. Prepare the goat cheese mixture: In a small bowl, mix goat cheese, garlic, half the thyme, a pinch of salt, and a few cracks of black pepper.
4. Spread the cheese evenly across the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
5. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer over the cheese. Overlapping is fine, but try to showcase the ridges and shapes of the Voyager tomatoes.
6. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the remaining thyme, plus additional salt and pepper to taste.
7. Fold the edges of the pastry up slightly around the tomatoes. Brush the crust with egg wash for a golden finish (optional).
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the tomatoes are slightly caramelized and tender.
9. Cool slightly, then garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm or at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions:

• Pair with a fresh arugula salad and a crisp white wine.
• Serve in slices as an appetizer or a vegetarian main course.
• Try topping it with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for extra depth.

Why Grow Voyager Tomatoes?

Voyager is the kind of tomato that sparks conversation. It’s a living example of natural variation—a little wild, a little weird, and entirely captivating. Whether you’re interested in plant genetics, love experimental gardening, or just want a tomato that looks like it came from another planet, Voyager is a standout.

Plus, it’s not all looks: its dense, savory flesh and rich tomato flavor make it ideal for bruschetta, tomato tartlets, and any dish where visual appeal and texture matter.

Final Thoughts

The Voyager tomato is a novelty. But it is also a window into the fascinating world of plant development and the beauty of genetic diversity. From its unusual locule structures to the unpredictable fruit forms it produces, Voyager challenges the idea that tomatoes need to be round and red to be desirable. It reminds us that gardening is not just about yield—it’s about exploration, discovery, and sometimes, surprise.

So when you’re planning your seed list, consider adding a little curiosity to your plot. Voyager might not look like your average tomato—but that’s exactly the point.