You Might Be Storing Tomatoes The Wrong Way - Here's What To Do Instead - Tasting Table

"Ripe tomatoes only tend to stay fresh for a few days, especially if they're organic or homegrown, and there's been a lot of debate over the years about whether it's better to leave them at room temperature or refrigerate them. The jury is still out on that one ( it probably doesn't matter) but no matter which option you choose you should make sure the tomatoes are sitting stem side down."

"It might sound a little odd, but a lot of moisture from the inside of a tomato can escape from the area where it was once attached to a vine. If too much moisture gets out, the skin of the tomato can become wrinkly and it can lose its plump texture. Likewise, there's a chance of mold and bacteria getting into the tomato if the top remains exposed. But if the fruit is kept upside down, the pathway will be sealed, keeping all the good stuff in and the bad stuff out."

"The best way to keep tomatoes fresh is to place them stem side down on a plate and put them in the refrigerator if you don't plan on using them for a while. If the tomatoes aren't ripe yet, leave them at room temperature in an area with good circulation. They should never be placed in direct sunlight and you need to be careful if your kitchen is particularly warm."

"The one downside to storing tomatoes upside down is that you could potentially damage the tops of them, which are known as the shoulders. This area is particularly delicate, so use a gentle touch. If you want, you can also tape the exposed area of the tomato instead of storing it upside down. This isn't a concern with larger heirloom or"

Ripe tomatoes stay fresh only a few days, and storage choices can affect taste. Tomatoes can be kept at room temperature or refrigerated, but they should be placed stem side down. Moisture escapes through the area where the vine was attached, which can cause wrinkling and loss of plump texture. Keeping the fruit upside down seals that pathway, helping keep desirable contents in and harmful elements out. For longer storage, place stem side down on a plate in the refrigerator. For unripe tomatoes, store at room temperature with good air circulation and avoid direct sunlight, especially in warm kitchens. Upside-down storage can damage the shoulders, so handle gently or tape the exposed area instead.

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