Tips

Should You Choose Tomatoes with 5 or 6-Chamber Locules When Shopping?

When shopping for tomatoes, not many people pay attention to whether they have 5 or 6 sepals.

3 May, 2024

How to Select the Best Tomatoes

If you observe closely, you’ll notice that some types of tomatoes have five sepals at the stem end, while others have six. In fact, these two types of tomatoes differ in flavor.

According to experienced tomato growers, tomatoes with six sepals taste better than those with five. The more sepals, the more water, nutrients, and sunlight the fruit can absorb, resulting in a more flavorful tomato.

In addition, tomatoes with six sepals tend to ripen later, getting enough sunlight, so they contain more sugar, sweetness, and grainy flesh.

During the growing process, tomatoes need to absorb sunlight and nutrients. The stem end of the fruit will be shaded, but this part also needs to absorb nutrients, leading to uneven color distribution and a lighter color than the surrounding area.

If you see uniformly ripened tomatoes when buying, pay attention and avoid choosing tomatoes with too uniform color at the stem end.

Other tips for buying tomatoes

To buy fresh, flavorful tomatoes with plenty of pulp, besides looking at the number of sepals on the stem, you need to pay attention to the following points.

Observe the appearance of the tomato

“Female” tomatoes usually have a thick, juicy body and taste delicious. In contrast, “male” tomatoes have a pointed, thin head, contain less water, and are not as flavorful.

Choose round, naturally ripe red tomatoes. Illustrative photo

Choose round tomatoes, not those with edges or corners, as they may have been ripened with chemicals.

During the growing process, tomatoes can also develop edges or deformities if they lack sunlight or nutrients. Most of these tomatoes are sour, and some of the tomato seeds inside are still green.

Note that naturally ripened tomatoes will have a sunken bottom. If the bottom is protruding, it’s possible that the tomato has been treated with hormones to ripen quickly.

When buying tomatoes, also pay attention to the size of the fruit. With tomatoes of similar size, pick up the ones that feel heavier and firmer, as they will be more delicious.

Some tomatoes are large but very light when picked up. Avoid buying these tomatoes because their water content is extremely low, and they won’t taste good.

Observe the color of the tomato

Some people prefer to buy bright red tomatoes because they assume that the ripeness of such tomatoes is adequate. In reality, the color of naturally ripened tomatoes is usually reddish-yellow.

The time each part receives sunlight differs, so the surface color of the tomato is not uniform, especially with a red color mixed with some yellow.

When buying tomatoes, choose those with a naturally ripe red color. Avoid tomatoes with a pink or slightly yellow color.

However, you also need to be cautious with those vibrant red tomatoes. These tomatoes are often overripe or have been treated with ripening agents or hormones.

Check the firmness of the tomato

Gently squeeze the tomato. You should feel that the flesh inside is very soft and springy if the fruit is naturally ripe.

If the tomato is too soft to the touch and doesn’t bounce back, it means it’s overripe and has been left out for a long time. Its flavor won’t be as fresh when cooked.

Checking firmness is a tip for choosing fresh, delicious tomatoes. Illustrative photo

Ripe tomatoes treated with hormones have a beautiful bright red color but are firm, with the flesh still completely green and without water. They are not safe to eat.

In addition to the above, choose tomatoes that are smooth, without cracks. Avoid tomatoes with green spots because they are still unripe and won’t taste good. Naturally ripened tomatoes will have a slight fruity aroma. If it’s pungent, the quality is not good.

Source: Doanh nghiep Phap luat

Frequently asked questions

The number of sepals on a tomato is a natural variation and is not a cause for concern. However, this variation does indicate a difference in flavor. Tomatoes with six sepals tend to have a more intense flavor profile.

Tomatoes with six sepals are generally sweeter and more flavorful due to their ability to absorb more water, nutrients, and sunlight. They also tend to ripen later, resulting in a higher sugar content and a grainier flesh texture.

Look for round, naturally red tomatoes with a slightly sunken bottom. Avoid tomatoes with a protruding bottom, as they may have been treated with hormones to ripen quickly. Also, choose heavier and firmer tomatoes of similar size, and avoid those with uniform color at the stem end.

Yes, look for “female” tomatoes, which usually have a thick, juicy body and are more flavorful. Avoid “male” tomatoes with pointed, thin heads as they contain less water and are less tasty. Also, choose naturally reddish-yellow tomatoes and avoid vibrant red ones, which may be overripe or treated with agents.

Gently squeeze the tomato. Ripe tomatoes will have soft and springy flesh. Avoid tomatoes that are too soft and don’t bounce back, as they are overripe. Also, be cautious of firm tomatoes with green flesh, as they may have been treated with hormones and are unsafe to eat.

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