Kitchen Tips – Storing Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great fruit that I enjoy year ’round. They go great in salads, work excellently in sauces and have a lot of potential ranging from butter to cheese. And don’t get me started on the health benefits.

Plum Tomato

A lot of people are surprised to hear that you should never store your tomatoes in the refrigerator (gasp!). That’s right. Tomatoes are from warm climate areas and should always be stored at room temperature. Chill temperatures cause damage to their membranes, resulting in a loss of flavor. A green tomato is especially susceptible and also run the risk of discoloration and a mealy texture (these two factors are less prevalent in fully ripened reds).

Tomatoes also produce ethylene gas as they ripen, something the banana is famous for. So be sure to store your tomato in an open area.

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One Response to “Kitchen Tips – Storing Tomatoes”

  1. Anonymous says:

    I like my tomatoes a little chilled when I eat them. So, store them outside the fridge – and just prior to their use on a sandwich or salad – pop in the fridge for a few minutes to cool them a bit.