The best tasting Okra Variety is Sherwood Red.
Sherwood Red Okra, is praised in seed catalogs as an exceptional, top tier tasting Okra variety, which remains tender even when the pods grow larger.
I love the Sherwood Red Okra myself and find it to be superior to most other Okra varieties.
Other best tasting Okra Varieties are Burmese, Emerald (or Emerald Green Velvet), Choppee and Cow Horn.
Cow Horn Okra is an old time heirloom varieties of Okra that stays crunchy, sweet, and spineless even at larger lengths.
Choppee Okra, is a slender, heirloom South Carolina Okra Variety that is celebrated for it's sweet, delicate flavor and high yield.
Emerald (Emerald Green Velvet) Okra features smooth, velvety green pods with a rich, classic flavor and less fibrous woodiness that is found in standard types.
And Burmese Okra is famous for producing long, ribbed pods, which remain remarkably tender and sweet even if you miss a few days of harvesting.
Clemson Spineless Okra is also an iconic, high yielding heirloom Okra that is known for it's tender, velvety pods and easy and pain free harvesting.
The Top Okra Varieties by use case include:
Best Classic / Most Popular Okra: Clemson Spineless grows up to 4 feet tall and matures in about 56–60 days.
It produces straight, rich-flavored emerald pods, but you must harvest them frequently (at 3–5 inches) so they don't become woody.
Best for Staying Tender Longer: Burmese and Emerald are favorite alternatives that tolerate growing larger without turning tough or woody as quickly as standard varieties, making them ideal for slicing and frying.
Emerald also offers a narrow, round shape perfect for sautéing whole or pickling.
Best Red Okra Option: Red Burgundy features striking dark red-purple pods and stems with lovely hibiscus-like flowers.
While slightly lower-yielding than green hybrids, it retains its gorgeous color when lightly cooked.
Best Compact / Container Choice Okra: Jambalaya or Baby Bubba are shorter, bushier dwarf varieties that fit well in small gardens or raised containers.