Should Tomatoes Be Refrigerated?

Follow a few simple steps to keep your tomatoes fresh and ready to eat for as long as possible.

Full of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, tomatoes are an important ingredient in an extensive list of recipes. Whether you’re using a grape tomato in a salad for an extra crunch or slicing a hefty beefsteak to make a summer tomato sandwich, there’s a tomato that fits every dish. Southerners even love to grow their own, as tomato plants are especially suited to home gardens. Fresh tomatoes seem an iconic part of summer food.

Sometimes, the grocery store versions don’t quite add up. In this study from the University of Florida, researchers explored why consumers are so dissatisfied with the taste of tomatoes in the store. They found that the common process of chilling the produce to make it last longer from the farm to the supermarket greatly reduces flavor and stops the ripening process. A better choice to find delicious tomatoes in season is at a local farmers' market or a U-pick farm near you.

After finding the perfect tomato, how do you store it? What’s the best way to make sure you preserve that taste as long as possible? Here are a few solutions for the most commonly asked questions about refrigerating tomatoes.

What Happens To Tomatoes In The Refrigerator

Haven’t we always been told that refrigerating tomatoes is the wrong choice to keep them fresh? The fridge changes a tomato, in a really bad way. The texture gets grainy and the color and flavor even changes.

However, if your tomato is fully ripe, they might begin to rot on your counter. You can extend the time to enjoy overripe tomatoes by putting them in the refrigerator for up to a few days. When you're ready to use them, it's best to let the tomatoes come to room temperature before enjoying them.

The Best Way To Store Fresh Tomatoes

For those tomatoes that need a little time ripening, leave them on the counter. For a longer life, place the stem side down to prevent moisture loss and block bacteria from entering the tomato at its most vulnerable point. According to the Southern Living Test Kitchen, 60°F to 65°F is the ideal temperature for storing tomatoes and they also note that you should keep your tomatoes out of direct sunlight.

Cherry tomatoes follow the same rules as larger varieties. They can be stored, in the container that you bought them in, on the counter for optimal freshness and taste.

How To Keep Tomatoes Fresh After They Are Cut

Cut tomatoes begin to deteriorate immediately, so it's beneficial to put them in the refrigerator to slow the process. Cover the cut area with plastic wrap or put them securely in an airtight container to keep bacteria at bay. They’ll only be good for a day or two, so plan to enjoy them soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do fresh tomatoes last?

Fresh tomatoes will last from two to five days on the counter at room temperature. A refrigerated ripe tomato can last up to two weeks. Cut tomatoes only last in a cool fridge for a day or two.

What should you do to ripen tomatoes at home?

There’s a trick to ripening hard tomatoes. Take a paper bag and place your tomato and a banana inside. Roll the top to close it and check daily to make sure the tomato gets to the desired ripeness. The banana releases a chemical, ethylene, that helps tomatoes soften and ripen.

Should you store your tomatoes stem side down?

The stem area of the tomato is its weakest point. Moisture escapes from this area and bacteria can invade. Storing tomatoes stem side down will make them last a little longer, preserving that juicy summer goodness to enjoy.

Can you peel tomatoes before putting them in the refrigerator?

Peeled tomatoes are treated like cut tomatoes. Once that protective skin barrier is cut, the time clock starts for the fruit to go bad. If you peel your tomatoes, you only have one or two days to fully enjoy them. Stick with refrigerating whole ripe tomatoes for the longest usage time.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.