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Step 1
Buy several different brands of tomato puree. Open each can and taste the puree without any prior cooking. The puree should taste like fresh tomatoes. It should also smell like fresh tomatoes.
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Step 2
Read the label on the can of tomato puree. Determine its country of origin. The Italian brands, which boast tomatoes from the "San Marzano" region of Italy, are superior to any American brand of tomato puree.
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Step 3
Select tomato puree that contains basil leaves. The front label on the can identifies whether or not it contains basil. Fresh basil leaves added to any canned tomato products go a long way towards boosting overall flavor and smell.
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Step 4
Notice the consistency of the tomato puree for each brand you purchase. Good tomato puree must be thick and smooth. This indicates the manufacturer properly removed the seeds, cooked the puree and then strained it before canning.
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Step 5
Plan on testing each different brand in the same recipe. Choose a recipe that highlights tomato flavor, such as tomato soup or sauce. Cook each brand and then taste it at 10-minute intervals until 1 hour is up. See which brand continued to have fresh tomato flavor for the longest cooking time.
