Tomatoes: Refrigerator or Room temperature?

[armory]

Originally Posted by jdallas

I keep them at room temperature but put them in the fridge for a couple hours if I will be slicing for a salad or side dish. They slice better cold.

Sounds like you need a better knife. If you can't cut through the skin easily you are already defeated. Go to a sporting goods sore and get a Fiskars filet knife if you can't sharpen yours or fail to find a good one elsewhere.


Eggs don't need to be refrigerated either. How were they kept before refrigeration existed? They only go bad if kept for a long time.

[House4kids]

I keep mine at room temperature unless I have some leftovers - then it goes in the fridge.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by elnina

I usually do what the stores do. What they refrigerate - I refrigerate. If they don't - I don't.
You should NOT refrigerate tomatoes and here is why:

Why You Should Never Refrigerate Tomatoes

Tomatoes will lose all their flavor in the fridge. The cold air in the fridge stops the ripening process, and ripening is what gives tomatoes more flavor. The fridge will also alter the texture of the tomato - cold temperature breaks down the membranes inside the fruit walls, turning it mealy. Keep tomatoes out in a bowl or basket on the counter.

If they're already ripened such as vine ripened tomatoes or freshly picked from a garden, they're already ripe!

I refrigerate all produce. I don't want fruit flies all over everything. Restaurants refrigerate all produce, so why is it good enough for them but not at home? Been refrigerating them my whole life and haven't had anyone say they're tasteless.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by Pfalz

I store mine on the vine until I'm ready to use them. Store bought tomatoes are a waste of money and a travesty to your taste buds.

That's great if you have a garden. I've had gardens in several areas over a period of many years. I no longer have that luxury. I buy tomatoes from farmers markets and farm stands in season. The rest of the year, I'm stuck with the nasty stuff from the grocery if I really want a tomato. I don't buy many in the off season.

[momtothree]

Originally Posted by Gerania

That's great if you have a garden. I've had gardens in several areas over a period of many years. I no longer have that luxury. I buy tomatoes from farmers markets and farm stands in season. The rest of the year, I'm stuck with the nasty stuff from the grocery if I really want a tomato. I don't buy many in the off season.

I buy mine on the vine at the grocery stores. I have seen them at Harris Teeter/Publix. I also only buy the heirlooms if I can't get to a farmer's market. It's usually in a small basket above the regular tomatoes. If none of those are an option, I try another recipe. I too won't touch the regular tomatoes at the stores.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by momtothree

I buy mine on the vine at the grocery stores. I have seen them at Harris Teeter/Publix. I also only buy the heirlooms if I can't get to a farmer's market. It's usually in a small basket above the regular tomatoes. If none of those are an option, I try another recipe. I too won't touch the regular tomatoes at the stores.

On the vine and the grape tomatoes seem to be the best choices during the winter. Even the ones at the farm stands don't taste like home grown. People complain about having too many tomatoes. Many of mine never made it into the house... along with the zucchini, green beans, and quite a few other things.

[Hemlock140]

I like them right out of the garden and rarely by them at the store, since they have no taste. We may get some of the grape ones in the winter, but that's about it. I do like them cold in salad, so I will refrigerate just for 1/2 hour before serving.