TOMATOES can be a juicy refreshing ingredient but they can be hit or miss.
But this is actually down to how you’re storing them.
Experts warn that tomatoes can become ‘mushy and tasteless’ if stored incorrectly (stock image)[/caption]
When they get home from the shop, majority of people toss their tomatoes in the fridge without a second thought.
However, experts at the storage company Urban Locker revealed that you should be storing them at room temperature.
And this makes sense considering we don’t pick them up in the refrigerated section while grocery shopping.
According to professionals, storing tomatoes wrong can “make them turn soft, mushy, and flavourless too quickly”.
They also revealed that “despite increasing prices, tomatoes are one of the most commonly wasted foods in the UK”.
The experts shared that Brits end up binning an estimated 733 million tomatoes each year.
And since cold temperatures can cause the cell structure in a tomato to break down, the fruit will develop a dull flavour as well as a mushy texture.
“Always store your tomatoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, but never in the fridge,” said Elizabeth Adams a storage expert from Urban Locker.
She recommended taking them out of their packaging and putting them on a flat surface stem-side down.
“To reduce moisture you can put paper towels on this surface to absorb an excess moisture and stop them from sitting in condensation,” she explained.
For tomatoes on the vine, Elizabeth suggested removing the vine because “one bad tomato can spoil the rest”.
“If you notice that one of your tomatoes is overripening at a quicker rate than the others remove it, as tomatoes release ethylene gas which can speed up the ripening process for all of them,” she said.
“This simple hack can make a big difference and small changes like this can help reduce your food waste at home and help you to save money over time.”
As well as keeping your tomatoes out of the fridge, Urban Locker has another tip for helping them last longer, saving your money.
They recommended storing your tomatoes stem-side down to prolong freshness.
Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide
Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer.
However, this can compromise the flavour.
Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould.
Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste.
He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.
“This may seem like a minor detail, but if you want your tomatoes to last longer and cut down on food wastage this little hack can help,” Elizabeth explained.
“Placing tomatoes with their stem-side down helps to prevent moisture loss and slows down the ripening process.”
This storage hack works because of how a tomato grows.
The fruit has a natural weak spot where the stem attaches and this area is more porous than the rest of the skin, allowing air and bacteria to enter.
When tomatoes are stored with their stem facing upwards, moisture can leave more easily causing your tomatoes to spoil quicker and shrivel up.
By placing your tomato’s stem-side down, the tomato’s natural protective skin will remain intact, reducing airflow and preventing premature softening.
“At room temperature, this small adjustment can help your tomatoes last for several days longer,” said Elizabeth.
And if your tomatoes have gone too soft, the expert explained that you still don’t need to throw them away just yet.
Instead, she recommended finding alternative ways to incorporate them into dishes, such as in pasta sauces, soups, or salsas.
To keep your tomatoes tasting sweet, keep them at room temperature instead of the fridge (stock image)[/caption]
