The answer to how tomatoes should be selected and ripened: paying attention to the skin being taut and spot-free, the tomato feeling slightly soft but not so soft it's crushed when held, and getting a pleasant smell from the stem end. Tomatoes that are still greenish and unripe can be ripened by leaving them at room temperature for a few days.
Tomatoes are a vegetable that can continue ripening after being picked from the vine; during this process the skin's color turns from green to red and the sugar content increases, sweetening the taste. Storing tomatoes in the fridge slows the ripening process, and low temperature can negatively affect their aroma; for this reason, unripe tomatoes are recommended to be left at room temperature. A tomato's skin being thin leaves less of a pulpy feel in salad recipes. In salad recipes, small varieties like cocktail tomatoes can give a sweeter result.
What Should Be Considered When Buying Tomatoes?
A few simple checks when choosing tomatoes make it easy to select the tastiest, freshest product.
- The skin should be taut, shiny, and crack-free; a wrinkled or dull skin is a sign of staleness.
- The tomato should show slight give when gently pressed, but not be crushed.
- A slightly sweet smell from the stem end is a sign the tomato is ripe and flavorful.
- Seeing soft, sunken, or moldy areas on the skin shows the tomato has started to spoil.
How Are Tomatoes Ripened?
Tomatoes that aren't yet fully ripe can be ripened at home with a few simple methods.
- Tomatoes should be left with the stem end facing up, at room temperature, in a spot that doesn't get direct sunlight.
- Placing tomatoes in a paper bag or bowl and adding a banana or apple on top can speed up ripening.
- Not leaving tomatoes stacked tightly on top of each other prevents crushing and rotting.
- Ripened tomatoes can be moved to the fridge to extend their freshness; however, aroma can decrease somewhat past this stage.
- To speed up the ripening process, tomatoes should be checked once a day.
How Should Tomato Variety Be Chosen Based on Use?
Tomato variety makes it easier to choose based on intended use. For sauce and paste, meaty, low-seed roma tomatoes are preferred, while for salads, juicier, tangier varieties can be preferred. Cocktail and cherry tomatoes are used especially in salads and garnishes due to their small size and concentrated sweetness. The star-shaped crack at the tomato's stem end not being too pronounced is also a sign the skin has stayed intact.
What Are Common Mistakes When Selecting and Ripening Tomatoes?
Putting unripe tomatoes directly into the fridge stops the ripening process, causing the tomato to remain hard and bland. Storing tomatoes stacked tightly on top of each other can cause the ones at the bottom to get crushed and rot. Waiting for wrinkled-skinned tomatoes to ripen, expecting them to, usually ends in disappointment; wrinkling is a sign of staleness. Storing tomatoes in the fridge for a long time can also make their texture mealy and dull their taste.
The answer to how tomatoes should be selected and ripened: checking for taut skin, slight give, and a pleasant smell, and if unripe, leaving them at room temperature. With the right selection and the right ripening method, tomatoes come to the table with their best flavor in every season. Storing tomatoes with the stem left on can also help their freshness last a bit longer.