Tomatoes are one of the most versatile kitchen ingredients around. They’re used in a whole plethora of dishes and cuisines, from pasta bakes to curry sauces, and they’re a common feature on weekly shopping lists.
However, keeping them fresh can be a struggle. The soft fruits are notorious for going squishy and bad when you buy them, and if they aren’t in season, they can taste pretty bland. But one cleaning expert on social media says you can keep your tomatoes fresher for longer by switching up the way you store them.
Chantel Mila, also known as @mama_mila_ on TikTok, recently shared a helpful video focusing on some hack which will ‘change the way’ you store your fruits and veggies.
And she says you can extend the lifespan of your fresh tomatoes by simply storing them upside down. Popping them in the fruit bowl in this way, she explained this is an excellent way to keep them fresher for longer.
It may not seem like a lot, but there’s actually science behind it. According to the pros at Serious Eats, it’s all to do with how the moisture is distributed.
Moisture can escape from the top of the tomato where the vine is. So to stop this from happening, take it off the vine and store it flat upside down on an even surface like a plate or a chopping board.
Doing this effectively seals the fruit from losing moisture, making it retain ‘all of its juiciness’.
Where you store your tomatoes can also have an impact on their flavour and longevity. Some say that storing in the fridge is best, whilst others are huge advocates for keeping them at room temperature.
It all depends on how ripe your tomatoes are. If they’re fully ready to eat, keeping them outside of the fridge will help them to retain that juicy taste.
However, if they aren’t quite ripe and you’re planning on keeping them for another few days at least, put them in the fridge until this day comes. Then, take them out and store at room temperature before serving.
