'Simple' storage tip transforms 'tasteless' tomatoes and maintains freshness

23 August 2023 , 18:42

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A food waste expert shares a simple trick to help keep your tomatoes fresher for longer (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images/Mint Images RF)

Tomatoes are an all-rounder when it comes to fruits, and they can be put with any salad, or summery dish to add a pop of colour and taste. But how you store the humble fruit could reduce the freshness resulting in having to throw them out earlier than needed warns a food waste expert.

Whilst many opt to put them in the fridge, Phillip Quantrell brand ambassador and food waste expert at InSinkErator warned this may not be the best way to store them. He recommended that following a "simple step" to determine the best place for tomatoes based on their texture will keep them fresher for longer.

His tip also ensures you can keep your tomatoes three to four days longer than usual before they spoil, as he shared how to check to see how ripe the fruit is before you purchase it. He explained: "A contributing factor to the huge amount of tomato waste that the UK faces is that we're probably throwing them away too soon, thinking they're over-ripe.

"If your tomatoes are ripe they should have a bit of give in them when touched. Ripe tomatoes usually let off a light fragrance too, so if you're unsure after touching the tomato, this should give you a definitive answer. For ripe tomatoes, you can either consume these now or preserve the freshness in the fridge. Keeping them in the fridge will help them to last for around two weeks."

If you do pick up a pack that isn't quite there yet, he advised to not put them in the fridge straight away. He added: "It's better to leave them on the side to ripen, as the fridge will interrupt the process, leaving you with tasteless tomatoes. They can actually survive for up to seven days out of the fridge, as long as they are kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight."

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As well as keeping them fresher for longer, experts also recommend it's best to store them stem side down, which helps prevent any moisture from being lost, keeping them juicy. Whilst also isolating them from foods that could impair the skin.

Niamh Kirk