How to Store Tomatoes

If you've got a great, vine-ripened tomato, don't kill its flavor by storing it in the refrigerator!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tomatoes
• Tomatoes

1. Determine whether tomatoes are fully ripe. A ripe tomato is dark red or orange, is slightly soft, has a uniform skin color and smells like a tomato.

2. Put unripe tomatoes in a brown paper bag and leave them at room temperature until they ripen, usually in a day or two.

3. Store ripe tomatoes in a cool place - around 55 degrees F. Stored this way, they should keep for five days. Avoid refrigerating tomatoes.

4. Store cut tomatoes in the refrigerator and use as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Most tomatoes bought in supermarkets are not ripe.
• Temperatures below 50 F (like in your refrigerator) begin to destroy tomato flavor and texture.

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[jfargo]

on 8/16/2009 In the summer it can be difficult to store tomatoes in this way if you don't have a cellar and live in a hot area, but I'll try to find a place that will work; I hate how the refrigerator destroys the texture and flavor.

5* and recommendation.

[grove]

on 7/8/2009 Thanks - I'm growing my own tomatoes this summer and don't want to blow it by storing them the wrong way.

[MIKARIA]

on 6/4/2008 thanks...i did have problem whenever, i bought more than a kilo of toms and by the time i used all they were next to useless...the brown bag thing-e is good. incidentally, i store drumsticks rolled in newspaper and place it in the fridge..this prevents them from becoming hollow.

on 9/27/2006 Set your counter tomatoes with the stem-side down. I just tried using the counter method for store-bought vine-ripe tomatoes and they didn't keep past 2 days. I guess it's best to use these ASAP to avoid losing them.

on 11/22/2005 Cool the rice quickly and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Add it to soup, casseroles, Shepherd's pie or salad. You could even make rice cakes.