A tomato farmer has revealed that the best place to store whole tomatoes is on the kitchen counter at room temperature, not in the refrigerator. Matt Hau from Pine Grove Pastures in Wisconsin, US, told Simply Recipes that chilling tomatoes compromises their taste and texture.
Room Temperature for Best Flavor
Hau explained: “A cold tomato doesn’t taste as good as a room temperature tomato.” He recommends keeping fresh, whole tomatoes on the counter, away from direct sunlight, for optimal flavor and texture. Ripe tomatoes should ideally be consumed within two to five days of purchase.
How to Choose Ripe Tomatoes
When selecting tomatoes, look for fruits that yield slightly to gentle pressure—overly firm ones are not sufficiently ripe. Hau also advises checking for even color and leaving green stems intact. “If the vines are still on, or at least that green, leafy edge, it’s usually a sign that it has been picked fresh and not too early,” he said.
When to Use the Fridge
If you cannot eat tomatoes right away, refrigerating them can slow ripening. For leftover or cut tomatoes, Hau recommends placing them cut-side down in a glass bowl or airtight container before refrigerating to prevent dehydration. He warns: “It’s going to dehydrate in the fridge pretty quickly, and then it’ll be more of a pasty tomato the next day, instead of a juicy one.”
