Tomatoes are a favorite ingredient for cooking and beauty treatments among many home cooks. Especially in today’s world, where food safety is a primary concern, it’s crucial to know how to select the right tomatoes. However, not everyone knows how to choose ripe and tasty tomatoes. As a savvy shopper, it’s essential to learn this handy tip for your next market visit!
Selecting Tomatoes by Color
Safe and healthy tomatoes are those that ripen naturally, without growth stimulants. Choosing these tomatoes is not difficult; look for plump fruits with a vibrant red color. If you observe carefully, you may even notice tiny milk spots on the flesh through the skin.
Opt for Tomatoes with Fresh, Green Stems
One of the simplest ways to choose tomatoes is to examine their stems. The stem is one of the key indicators of whether a tomato is safe to consume.
Take a close look at the stem of the fruit. If it’s fresh and green, and when gently pulled, remains firmly attached to the tomato, it indicates that the tomato has ripened on the vine. If the stem detaches easily from the fruit, it suggests that the tomato was picked a while ago. However, this method only applies to tomatoes that still have their stems intact.
Assessing Quality
When you touch a vine-ripened tomato, it should feel slightly soft, unlike tomatoes treated with ripening chemicals, which tend to be harder. When cut open, a vine-ripened tomato reveals white or yellow seeds, with soft, reddish, and slightly pulpy flesh. In contrast, chemically ripened tomatoes have green seeds, and their flesh is firm and less ripe-looking.
Observing the Shape of the Tomato
When selecting tomatoes, pay attention to their shape. Opt for tomatoes with similar sizes, round shapes, smooth skins, and no bruises or scratches. These tomatoes typically have thicker flesh and are juicier.
On the other hand, tomatoes with irregular shapes, uneven surfaces, scratches, or thick skins tend to be less juicy and flavorful. Avoid tomatoes with odd shapes, angles, or corners, as they may have been artificially ripened.
According to Công lý & Xã hội
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