Tomatoes are a staple in many households, but the majority of people will be storing them wrong – as they should not be kept in the fridge to keep them fresh
Storing tomatoes can be quite the conundrum for many, as they’re often relegated to the chill of the fridge alongside other fruits and vegetables, but doing so can ruin their taste and texture. Cook and kitchen expert Emma, the founder of Kitchen Mason, has spilled the beans on keeping those red beauties plump and tasty, insisting that room temperature is where it’s at when it comes to storage.
She elaborated: “The best place to store tomatoes is on your kitchen worktop at room temperature. Although keep them away from your oven, or any other heat source.” To avoid bruises on these delicate fruits and ensure they stay in tip-top condition, Emma recommends laying them out in a flat dish rather than heaping them in a bowl – this strategy promotes airflow and keeps damage at bay.
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When it comes to the big chill, it’s advised that tomatoes only make the trip to the fridge once they’ve hit peak ripeness, and even then, it’s crucial to bring them back up to room temp before you dig in to preserve their deliciousness.
Emma warned: “You shouldn’t refrigerate tomatoes unless they’ve been cut.”
She conceded there can be an exception when temperatures rise or the tomatoes are just so ripe they’re about to turn: “However, if your tomatoes are at their perfect ripeness, or the weather is particularly hot – I actually DO recommend that you store your tomatoes in the fridge.”
Keeping tomatoes fresh at room temperature requires some simple steps, reports the Express. Firstly, remove the vines and stems from the tomatoes as they can draw moisture away, causing the fruit to lose plumpness.
To prevent moisture loss, place the tomatoes upside down with the stem side on a flat dish, rather than a bowl. Emma advises: “When storing fresh tomatoes at room temperature, store them stem side down.”
She explains: “Refrigeration inhibits a tomatoes natural ripening process. But if it’s already at it’s best, you don’t need to worry about that!”
Storing the tomatoes in this way not only helps retain moisture but also protects the stem scar from bacteria by minimising its exposure, reducing the risk of contamination and premature spoilage.