If you ’ve been storing your Lycopersicon esculentum in the fridge , you ’re about to flip over this ward-heeler . 🍅
Carson Downing
The world of garden truck storage can get confusing . It ’s like a plot of tug of war between all the “ brawl ” and “ don’ts . ”Don’t stock these item in the Deepfreeze . Do keep thesefruit and veggie foesapart — unless you want them to botch up quicker . Do n’t refrigerate a smattering of green groceries picking , but do be sure tochill the majority .
Credit:Carson Downing
So we totally understand why readers add up to us often with motion about how to salt away tomatoes . We ’ve already coveredhow to can tomatoesandhow to stop dead tomatoes , but in full term of saucy , to refrigerate or not to refrigerate ? That is the query , and our Test Kitchen has the result .
How to Store Tomatoes to Keep Them Fresh for as Long as Possible
The most important thing to keep in mind when considering how to store tomatoes : what state they ’re in . Your undecomposed bet will variegate base on whether the tomato are whole or cut .
How to Store Whole Tomatoes
storage tomatoes at room temperature until ripe , Blanchard advises . Although whole tomatoes might appear to be fresher longer when you stack away them in the refrigerator , await can be betray .
“ Refrigeration stop the ripen process , ” Brekke say . “ If the love apple were under - right plump into the icebox , the discernment and grain wo n’t improve . There are certain enzyme in tomato plant that are responsible for creating that delicious flavor as they mature , but these enzyme are n’t active at refrigerator temps . ”
Depending on their starting state of ripeness , refrigerating tomatoes can lead to a mealy , mawkish , or arduous grain . It also compromises tomato flavor ; resulting in flavorless or sour fruit .
To maximize the flavor , fresh factor , and lifespan of fresh tomato plant , store them at room temporary worker ( or in an ideal domain , between 60 ° to 65 ° F ) on a counter or in a cabinet away from root of heat or lineal spark at room temperature .
“ That said , if you have impertinently pick or purchased ripe tomatoes and you do n’t plan on eating them decent away , they can be placed in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days to offer their life , ” Brekke says . “ For good flavor , let the tomatoes fare to room temperature before serving . ”
How to Store Unripe Tomatoes
If you fall out toharvestor invest in tomatoes that are under - mature , you ’ll also want to store them at elbow room temperature . As we hinted to before , “ the cool temperatures in the icebox will stem the ripen process , and you will be left with a tomato that is pallid , mealy , flavorless , ” Brekke say .
Place unripe tomatoes in a single stratum inside a report bag ( such as a grocery bag ) , and fold the bag to close it broadly speaking . Why , you might be inquire ? The old bag helps contain the ripeness - cause ethene gas tomatoes pass off . Transfer the cup of tea to a ironical and ardent room temperature spot , then check on the tomatoes daily to see how they ’re progressing .
mental testing Kitchen Tip : To press “ fast - forward ” on tomato ripen , add a banana or apple inside the bag , too . Both of these fruit are also ethene - producer . The more ethylene gas swirling around the tomatoes ; the faster the maturation .
How to Store Cut Tomatoes
The one exclusion to the no refrigeration rule : excision tomatoes . After you ’ve wash and slice or cube your love apple , you must store them in the fridgeto reduce the risk of infection of bacterium growth .
Keep in judgement that tomatoes spoil faster once cut off . Transfer sliced or diced tomatoes to an airtightfood storage container , store them in the refrigerator , and direct to polish them off within 2 daylight .
The No. 1 Trick About How to Store Tomatoes to Keep Them Fresh and Flavorful Longer
Now that you knowwhereto store tomatoes , let ’s talk about exactlyhowto store tomatoes . Do n’t bury that tomatoes — heirloom , Roma , cherry , grapevine , or otherwise — are frail , so store them with care .
Beyond that , our Test Kitchen ’s secure storage unavowed : Flip the tomato upside down . stack away the tomatoes root - side down “ slenderize the amount of airflow around the prow arena therefore reducing liaison with various mold and bacterium that can belt along up the spoiling process , ” Brekke says . This also help the tomatoes retain wet so they stick juicy longer , Blanchard tally .
To up the ante even more , practice malt whiskey tape to hide the stem , then toss the love apple stem - side down . Doing so should keep fresh tomatoes juicy yet stiff and mellifluous for 7 to 10 days , depending on the starting ripeness of your tomatoes .
As for cherry or grape tomato , we urge placing them in a shallow sweetheart or basketful so air can flow . These tomatoes tend to mature quicker , so check in on them every day or two . Remove andcompostany small tomato that are showing augury of spoilage to avoid it spreading to the rest .
When to Wash Tomatoes
As with most green goods items , “ we recommend laundry tomato just before you are ready to utilize them , ” Brekke says . “ Moisture promote mold , yeast , and bacterial maturation . ”
Wash tomatoes under cool running play piddle , pat try , then slice or enjoy whole , depend on the fruit size and your specifictomato recipe .
How to Tell if Tomatoes Have Gone Bad
Speaking of spoiling , Brekke share the sign to watch for to know it ’s prison term to thrash about your tomato :
