How to Buy Sun Dried Tomatoes

With their concentrated flavor, ease of use and versatility, sun dried tomatoes appear in many recipes today. Sun dried tomatoes start out as vine-ripened tomatoes that bask in the sun until purged of almost all liquid. With such a wide assortment of sun dried tomatoes to choose from, buying the right kind presents a challenge. Let these tips take some of the mystery out of buying sun dried tomatoes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for professionally dried tomatoes rather than the home-dried variety sold in some health food or gourmet stores. Professionally dried tomatoes come in vacuum-packed containers that last longer.

2. Check the expiration date on sun dried tomatoes, whether oil-packed or dried. Select the freshest package.

3. Get oil-packed sun dried tomatoes in glass jars. Glass doesn't interfere with the taste of the tomatoes. Oil-packed sun dried tomatoes in cans have a metallic aftertaste.

4. Read the ingredients list on labels for oil-packed tomatoes. Prefer those packed in pure virgin olive oil with a minimal amount of spices and herbs. Avoid those packed in canola or vegetable oils which give the sun dried tomatoes a bland taste. Avoid those with high sodium content.

5. Examine the color on sun dried tomatoes sold dry. The outside of the tomatoes should be close to a bright red. The underside of the tomatoes should be pale yellow.

6. Make sure oil-packed sun dried tomatoes contain sulfur dioxide on the ingredients list. This retains the tomatoes' bright color.

7. Choose oil-packed sun dried tomatoes in jars no larger than 8.5 ounces. This amount provides just enough for most recipes without presenting storage problems for the unused portion.

Resources

• Identify recommended brands of sun dried tomatoes.

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