A tomato is not just a tomato! And once you start growing more varieties, it's easy to come to appreciate the differences between varieties. There are three basic types of tomatoes: slicers, paste tomatoes, and cherry-type tomatoes.Here's what you need to know about each. tomato is not just a tomato! And once you start growing more varieties, it's easy to come to appreciate the differences between varieties. There are three basic types of tomatoes: slicers, paste tomatoes, and cherry-type tomatoes.