Tomato farmer Matt Hau from Pine Grove Pastures in Wisconsin, US, has shared the optimal way to store tomatoes at home to preserve their flavour and texture. Speaking to Simply Recipes, Hau advised against immediately refrigerating whole tomatoes, regardless of where they were purchased.
Room Temperature Storage for Best Flavour
Hau explained that storing fresh tomatoes at room temperature is key, as the cold of a refrigerator can diminish their taste. “A cold tomato doesn't taste as good as a room temperature tomato,” he told Simply Recipes. He recommends placing whole tomatoes on the kitchen countertop, away from direct sunlight, for the best flavour and texture. Fresh, ripe tomatoes should ideally be eaten within two to five days of purchase.
How to Choose and Handle Tomatoes
According to Hau, tomatoes should have a slight give when squeezed; if they are too hard, they are not yet ripe. He also suggests looking for uniform colour and leaving the green stems attached. “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 Refrigerate Tomatoes
If you do not plan to eat the tomatoes immediately, they can be placed in the fridge to slow the ripening process. However, for leftover or cut tomatoes, refrigeration is essential. Hau recommends storing cut tomatoes cut-side down in a glass bowl or an airtight container to keep them fresh. He warns against leaving cut tomatoes exposed in the fridge, as this will dehydrate them. “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,” he added.
