Tomatoes are one of the most famous vegetables that are canned for the winter. You can easily keep them fresh for 10-15 days if you place them in a paper bag and put them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. How to properly store tomatoes at home so that they remain fresh until the New Year or even longer? The answers can be found in this article.
Having no idea how long tomatoes can be stored, it is better not to purchase them large quantities. They just won't stay fresh for long. You should definitely know how to properly store tomatoes. And then you can keep the vegetables fresh for several months or all winter.
If you need to buy a large batch of tomatoes, it is better to choose those varieties that:
The storage conditions for tomatoes are chosen based on the stage of ripening they are at. Brown fruits require one storage temperature, and red fruits require another. And they are not at all capable of ripening at low temperatures.
There are some types of tomatoes that tolerate storage better. These are mid-late and late ripening varieties.
So, the shelf life of tomatoes in a city apartment before they are processed:
If the tomatoes are overripe and have already become soft, they will not be able to be stored.
Fruits at different stages of ripening require individual storage temperatures:
Tomatoes should be kept in cool, dark places. It is best to store tomatoes in an apartment in the freshness zone of the refrigerator. In my house optimal place This basements or cellar.
First, the tomatoes are sorted: whole, dent-free fruits that have reached milky ripeness are selected. These are vegetables that have grown to normal size and have already begun to turn red.
Before sending tomatoes for storage, they should not be washed. It is better to lightly wipe with alcohol, applying it to a piece of cotton wool. This “disinfection” will get rid of various bacteria and microorganisms that may be on the surface of the fruit.
When preparing tomatoes for storage, the stems are not removed. You can cut them only immediately before use.
Tomatoes are placed in layers in wooden or plastic containers, sprinkled with chopped wood or covered with paper. If there are not many tomatoes, it is better to wrap each tomato in paper. Afterwards the boxes are sent to cellars or basements. The temperature in the basement must correspond to the storage standards for fruits of a certain degree of maturity.
In containers made of cardboard or wood, tomatoes are placed in no more than 3 layers. Otherwise, the fruits located at the very bottom will be deformed under the weight of the upper layers.
You need to check the condition of the crop at least once a week. Then it will be possible to notice in time if some fruit begins to deteriorate. In this case, you should immediately isolate it from the rest of the crop.
Tomatoes, stem side up, are placed in layers in plastic container refrigerator intended for vegetables. The layers are separated using paper, and for greater safety they wrap each fruit with it so that they do not touch. This will significantly increase the shelf life of tomatoes. You need to place the fruits in the container in a maximum of 2 layers, and if they are already ripe, in one.
Tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
These vegetables cannot be kept in a plastic bag. It is not capable of allowing air to pass through, and condensation forms very quickly inside the bag. In such conditions, the fruits will soon deteriorate.
If tomatoes have been at too low a temperature for some time, their taste may change. But if after a cold you let them lie for a day in room temperature, some of their taste will return.
You can store tomatoes for the winter in the freezer. Tomatoes are frozen by first cutting them into rings, pieces or slices. Small fruits can be frozen even whole. But large tomatoes are not recommended to be frozen entirely. You can peel them and freeze them in the desired form:
To freeze tomatoes whole, you don't need anything other than ripe, firm fruits with firm skin. Small tomatoes are placed several pieces in one bag. Remove as much air from the bags as possible, tie them up and put them in the freezer.
When freezing tomatoes into pieces or cubes, you can first remove the skin, then cut them and place them in small batches into portioned bags. It is not necessary to ensure that the pieces are crumbly. They are added without defrosting to already prepared dishes.
You can make a homogeneous mass from tomatoes and freeze it in special molds. To do this, the fruits are crushed using a blender or meat grinder to a puree consistency. Then put into molds for freezing. As a last resort, you can use silicone baking molds or plastic ones for ice. It is important not to put tomato puree in each mold all the way to the top: when freezing, the mass will expand and go beyond its limits.
After freezing (8 - 10 hours), the puree should be removed from the molds and placed in freezer bags, packaged in small portions.
Only if the tomatoes were frozen entirely, they need to be thawed at room temperature for up to 20 minutes. Other types of frozen tomatoes (mugs, pieces, briquettes, stuffed tomatoes) do not need defrosting.
Now you know how to store tomatoes at home. And if you have any questions, wishes or suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments to the article.
A fresh tomato is delicious, but once it sits in the refrigerator, this wonderful fruit turns into a dull tastelessness. Why is this happening? Science answers.
The taste of a tomato is the result of a combination of sugars, acids and volatiles (compounds perceived by our senses as aromas). It is in volatile substances that the cause lies. They are extremely sensitive to temperatures, and it is exposure to these substances that kills the wonderful flavor of tomatoes.
The French know a lot about food, and it was their scientists who conducted research on the effects of temperature on the taste of tomatoes. In particular, the effects of storing fruits at room temperature and in the refrigerator were compared. The result is:
At a storage temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, a ripe tomato not only does not stop the release of volatile fragrant substances, but also enhances their production. Simply put, the tomato became even more aromatic.
A completely different situation was observed at a storage temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. The fragrant substances not only ceased to be released - similar compounds already contained in the tomato began to break down. Moreover, at different connections different resistance to low temperatures. First of all, and more than others, the substances that give the taste of the fruit the so-called “herbaceous” or “green” tint were destroyed. This is what we perceive as a sign of a fresh tomato, and the substances responsible for this quality are destroyed in the refrigerator first.
The problem here is not just chemistry. The structure of the fruit also plays a role. Tomatoes are delicate, and not only sub-zero temperatures can harm them. Cool enough environment up to 10 degrees Celsius, and the fruit begins to collapse at the cellular level. In fact, it's a massive frostbite that results in a bland, tasteless tomato.
Against the backdrop of such a negative impact of the refrigerator on fresh tomatoes It seems strange that soups and sauces based on the same tomatoes, when stored in the refrigerator for a short time, not only do not lose their taste, but often even become even better. Why?
The fact is that in the case of a mixture, we are no longer talking about the pure taste of one product, but about a mixture of tastes, and, in fact, the taste of tomatoes is no longer there.
Harold Klee, a professor at the University of Florida, studies flavor compounds in vegetables, fruits, berries, and especially tomatoes. He explains everything clearly.
In processed tomatoes, water is first removed. Naturally, during heat treatment there is no talk of any volatile fragrant substances - they are not there. So why don't manufacturers isolate these substances before processing and then put them back into the finished product ( tomato paste)? This is done with orange juice, and why not do a similar process with tomato products? It turns out that manufacturers simply don't rely on the true taste of tomatoes. Taste is added using herbs and spices. The paste doesn't taste like fresh tomato. There's just a mixture of seasonings + the residual taste of the tomatoes themselves. Just add fresh grated tomatoes to the tomato soup at the very end - and you will feel the difference with tomato paste.
Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, but if you really need to refrigerate them, consider the following fact:
Even if the tomato had been in the refrigerator for 6 days, after it was placed at room temperature for a day, a renewal of the activity of releasing fragrant substances was observed. Of course, in a smaller volume, but still.
Scientists are trying to develop special varieties of tomatoes that are resistant to low temperatures. To do this, wild varieties of plants that successfully grow in the Andes are being studied.
Reader, have pity on the tomato, it suffers in the refrigerator!
Storing tomatoes involves many nuances. These vegetables are sensitive to foreign odors, so they should be placed away from other foods. In addition, some fruits can speed up the ripening process of tomatoes, and they will spoil faster than the standard shelf life. In addition, the period of preservation of freshness of tomatoes is influenced by their variety. Mid-season and late varieties will last longer than early varieties.
The nuances of storing tomatoes:
Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature.. For 5-7 days, medium-ripe tomatoes do not lose their taste and shape. If the tomatoes are not ripe, then it is better to place them in the open rays of the sun on the windowsill and periodically turn them with their unripe sides up. In other cases, tomatoes should be stored in cooler and darker places.
At temperatures below +15 degrees, tomatoes lose their taste characteristics and the structure of their pulp changes. Store tomatoes in the refrigerator only as a last resort. When exposed to low temperatures, they will begin to deteriorate within a few days.
The process of rotting a tomato begins from the inside. Most often this happens within 6-7 days. It is possible to extend the shelf life of tomatoes, but the additional period will not be long and will be limited to a few days. Optimal conditions For storing tomatoes, the temperature range is considered to be from +12 to +15 degrees with an average air humidity of 80%.
Late and mid-season varieties tomatoes can be stored for up to two weeks at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Main role V in this case plays a role in the degree of ripeness of tomatoes. If the tomatoes are not ripe, they can be stored for two weeks after reaching full ripening.
There are two other ways to preserve tomatoes for 3-4 months. The tomatoes must be thoroughly washed and placed in a jar so that they do not fit tightly together and remain free place. Add a few tablespoons of alcohol or mustard to a jar of tomatoes, and then close the lid tightly. After this procedure, the jar must be thoroughly shaken so that additional ingredient completely covered the skin of the tomatoes. If alcohol was added, then it must be carefully set on fire and the lid rolled up in the traditional way. The jars must be pasteurized and the tomatoes clean. In this state, the tomatoes will retain their freshness and after a few months they will still remain juicy and ripe.
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Until recently, tomato lovers did not think about where to store tomatoes. After all, from childhood we were taught: it is better to store food in the refrigerator. It is believed that there they deteriorate more slowly. But in Lately There is an increasingly common assertion that this rule does not work for tomatoes. Let's figure out who is right and who is wrong in this matter.
Gardeners and housewives are in desperate debate over whether to store fresh tomatoes in a refrigerator. Some say yes, others categorically disagree with them and believe that tomatoes have no place in the refrigerator. Both are partly right.
Proponents of the theory that the refrigerator is not the best place for tomatoes say that low temperatures kill the aroma and taste of the fruit. This is why many people don't store tomatoes in the refrigerator. And there is confirmation of this. It was experimentally established that at low temperatures the aroma of the fruit is lost. But does this mean that tomatoes absolutely cannot be stored in the refrigerator?
Scientists have experimentally established that optimal temperature for storing tomatoes +12-13 degrees. Neither the room temperature nor the air temperature in the refrigerator corresponds to this level. At home, especially in summer, the temperature reaches 25-30 degrees. And in the refrigerator it is always less than 12 degrees (depending on the settings from +2 to +8). Therefore, neither the first nor the second option for this product is optimal.
The most the best option consider a dry, cool room with a temperature no higher than 12 degrees. For residents of private houses the best place- cellar. There, tomatoes can be stored fresh and aromatic for several months.
Reference. Some gardeners manage to preserve their harvests in the cellar until the end of autumn - beginning of winter.
In apartment conditions, tomatoes are stored well for up to 10 days, hung on a cool wall. Usually such a wall is on a balcony or loggia.
Experienced housewives, in order to preserve them for as long as possible, advise first of all to pay attention to the degree of ripeness of tomatoes. If the fruits are already fully ripe, then a warm place can be their storage for no more than a few days. Then they will start to deteriorate.
It is still better to place ripe fruits in the cold. This is correct to extend their shelf life. How long do tomatoes last in the refrigerator? They can stay there for up to several weeks.
If we are talking about still unripe (green) tomatoes that are harvested ahead of schedule, then the storage rules have special features for them. A refrigerator won't do any good. They need a warmer place to ripen. A few weeks at room temperature will allow the fruit to ripen. At the same time, both the taste and aroma will be worthy.
Important! It will not be superfluous to review the stored fruits every few days. If some copies begin to deteriorate, you need to detect them in time and remove them from the storage location.
Tomatoes that are not suitable for preservation can be:
Here are some tips from experienced housewives:
Breeders have developed many varieties of tomatoes with a long shelf life:
Attention! Medium tomatoes, thick-walled and with thick skin, last a long time. It is important that the fruits are not damaged.
If you are the happy owner of a private home, then you probably have a cellar. This is the best place to store tomatoes. Alternative options for apartment residents - a refrigerator or a cool place near the balcony.
If the tomatoes are still green, do not store them in the refrigerator. Feel free to leave the fruits on the windowsill. And if the tomatoes are already fully ripe, opt for a vegetable drawer in the refrigerator. The aroma will weaken a little, but you will extend the shelf life of the fruit. And don’t believe those who say that tomatoes absolutely cannot be kept in the cold. Ripe - yes.
Tomatoes are a favorite vegetable for many, used as the main component of salads and as an addition to hot dishes. At the end of the season, I really want to find the best way to store tomatoes so that they remain juicy and tasty longer. In our article we will talk about how to properly preserve the harvest of ripe tomatoes at home, and also talk about storing green fruits at the ripening stage.
To keep tomatoes fresh for a long time, you need to create the right conditions. Without meeting certain requirements, for example, in a package in kitchen cabinet, tomatoes only last a few days, after which they begin to quickly deteriorate.
Many people are accustomed to storing tomatoes in the refrigerator, where they can last up to 10 days. But if you want to save tomatoes longer, for example, until the new year, you need to consider the following factors:
Each of the methods below is suitable for tomatoes varying degrees ripeness - from completely green to ripe and overripe fruits. Both homemade tomatoes, just picked from the garden, and those purchased at the market are suitable for saving.
Check the tomatoes where they are stored at least twice a week. The point is not only in the possible spoilage of fruits, but also in the speed of their ripening. Ripe (or already ripening) tomatoes emit ethylene, which activates the ripening process of the rest. Therefore, specimens that begin to turn red must be removed from storage as quickly as possible. For the same reason, apples or pears from the autumn harvest should not be kept next to tomatoes.
Ripe fruits Stores well in clean lattice boxes made of plastic or wood. Cover the bottom of the container with clean paper/parchment and place the tomatoes on it, additionally placing each row with paper or wrapping the vegetables in it. When all the tomatoes are laid, fill the contents with peat or sawdust. In this form, tomatoes can last for several months if the room temperature is maintained at no more than +8...12 ℃.
To keep tomatoes fresh for the winter, it is important to harvest at the stage of milk maturity. If weather permits, it is best to harvest green fruits from the garden as late as possible, for example in October. Wrap each vegetable in thin black paper and carefully place it in a wire box, layering each row with straw. The workpiece should be stored in a dry, dark place with good ventilation system at a temperature of +10 ℃. If all conditions are met, the tomatoes will gradually ripen and last until January.
To destroy microbes and extend the shelf life of tomatoes, before storing the boxes should be treated with pharmaceutical alcohol and dried.
For fast ripening green fruits (5-10 days), place the tomatoes on the floor in a well-lit place with a temperature of about +25 ℃. You can pick the fruits directly with the stalks and stalks and hang them in a ventilated room. A small amount of unripe vegetables can be laid out in the apartment right on the windowsill so that they turn red.
To keep tomatoes fresh longer, do not wash them before storing them.
A proven method for storing ripe tomatoes - pickling. Select strong red fruits for harvesting, free them from the stalks. Separately prepare overripe tomatoes: they need to be cut into large pieces. Place a layer of chopped tomatoes 8-10 cm thick in a pan or jar, add a little salt, place a layer of whole fruits on top and sprinkle with salt again. Fill the container to the top so that the last layer is salt. Seal the container tightly and store in a cool place.
For detailed recipes for preparing tomatoes for the winter, see this section of our website.
Still wondering how to store tomatoes at home in an apartment? If in rural areas there is almost always a cellar - the best place to store tomatoes - then city residents have to choose between storage in the refrigerator and storage at room temperature. The following principles will help you decide on the best option:
Regardless of where and at what temperature you decide to store tomatoes, some tricks can extend their shelf life:
In the following video you will learn about three in different ways storage of tomatoes:
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