Many of us keep tomatoes in the same spot as most of our fresh food without thinking twice, but doing so could be ruining their taste. Tomatoes are known for their sweet, rich flavour and juicy texture, but storing them the wrong way can make them dull, mushy, and tasteless.
While it might seem like a way to make them last longer, one popular storage method actually zaps away the very chemicals that give tomatoes their fragrance and depth. People often find that shop-bought tomatoes are bland, and now experts have revealed why. The issue doesn’t lie with the tomato itself, but rather how it’s kept once you bring it home.
One simple mistake can reduce the levels of flavour compounds known as volatiles, which are essential for creating that sweet and complex tomato taste.
These compounds are highly sensitive and break down quickly if exposed to the wrong conditions.
Dr Emma Davies, who holds a PhD in food chemistry from the University of Leeds, wrote for BBC Science Focus that storing tomatoes in the fridge “dramatically reduces levels of flavour and fragrance chemicals,” adding that “tomatoes from the fridge rarely fail to disappoint”.
Gregory Lofts, a food stylist and culinary producer, also told Martha Stewart magazine: “You’re essentially zapping flavour and texture from a tomato when you refrigerate it.”
He also warned that tomatoes quickly absorb odours from other foods in the fridge, which makes the taste even worse.
Maddy Rotman, the former head of sustainability at Imperfect Foods, added: “Try eating a cold tomato and a room-temperature tomato.
“You’ll see that all the flavour is hidden when it’s cold, and you can taste all of the sweetness when it’s ambient.”
For best results, whole tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, ideally stem side down. This helps them ripen properly and prevents moisture loss.
If they’re on the verge of becoming overripe, they can be kept in the fridge for a short time, but only if you plan to cook with them.
Experts say cooked dishes are the only place where chilled tomatoes won’t go to waste.
To check if your tomato is ripe, look for vibrant colour, a slightly soft feel, and a sweet aroma near the stem.
If it smells sour, feels mushy, or has any mould, it’s time to throw it away.