Fresh harvest for a long time: why tomatoes cannot be stored in the refrigerator and where is the best place to do it. Interesting ways to store tomatoes in an apartment How to properly store fresh tomatoes in the refrigerator

Storing tomatoes involves many nuances. These vegetables are sensitive to foreign odors, so they should be placed away from other foods. In addition, some fruits can speed up the ripening process of tomatoes, and they will spoil faster than the standard shelf life. In addition, the period of preservation of freshness of tomatoes is influenced by their variety. Mid-season and late varieties will last longer than early varieties.

The nuances of storing tomatoes:

• when storing a tomato, it should be placed with the stalk facing up (the skin in this area is more delicate, so the weight of the tomato can cause it to deteriorate faster);
• tomatoes in supermarkets are pre-stored in refrigerators, so when room temperature they will be stored less than tomatoes grown independently or purchased on the market;
• after a tomato is exposed to low temperatures, its taste properties change, but some of them can be returned if, after cold conditions, the tomato is left at room temperature for 24 hours;
• tomatoes grown independently last longer than those purchased in stores;
• It is necessary to store only tomatoes with the hardest possible skin, on which there are no mechanical damage or signs of disease;
• overripe tomatoes cannot be stored;
• if there are a lot of tomatoes, it is better to store them in wooden boxes(from time to time it is necessary to turn the tomatoes over and inspect them to identify the first signs of rotting);
• when storing tomatoes in boxes, the bottom should be covered with paper, and it is better to sprinkle the tomatoes themselves with sawdust;
• Before storage, tomatoes do not need to be washed, and their surface must be completely dry;
• if you cannot avoid storing tomatoes in the refrigerator, then before placing them in the cold, each vegetable should be wrapped in paper or regular newspaper;
• tomatoes ripen quickly at home; to extend the shelf life of tomatoes, you need to separate them with paper or sawdust, preventing them from coming into contact with each other;
• It is not recommended to store tomatoes in a plastic bag or in the refrigerator (condensation in the bag will cause signs of rotting, and low temperatures will accelerate it);
• if the tomatoes are picked along with the branches, it is better not to remove them (this will extend the shelf life);
• Alcohol will help keep the tomatoes fresh a little longer (with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, carefully wipe each tomato and wait for the substance to evaporate, after which the tomatoes are placed in a place for potential storage).

How long and at what temperature should tomatoes be stored?

Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature.. For 5-7 days, medium-ripe tomatoes do not lose their taste and shape. If the tomatoes are not ripe, then it is better to place them in the open rays of the sun on the windowsill and periodically turn them with their unripe sides up. In other cases, tomatoes should be stored in cooler and darker places.

At temperatures below +15 degrees, tomatoes lose their taste characteristics and the structure of their pulp changes. Store tomatoes in the refrigerator only as a last resort. When exposed to low temperatures, they will begin to deteriorate within a few days.

The process of rotting a tomato begins from the inside. Most often this happens within 6-7 days. It is possible to extend the shelf life of tomatoes, but the additional period will not be long and will be limited to a few days. The optimal conditions for storing tomatoes are temperature regime from +12 to +15 degrees with an average air humidity of 80%.

Late and mid-season tomato varieties can be stored for up to two weeks at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The main role in this case is played by the degree of maturity of the tomatoes. If the tomatoes are not ripe, they can be stored for two weeks after reaching full ripening.

There are two other ways to preserve tomatoes for 3-4 months. The tomatoes must be thoroughly washed and placed in a jar so that they do not fit tightly together and there is free space. Add a few tablespoons of alcohol or mustard to a jar of tomatoes, and then close the lid tightly. After this procedure, the jar must be thoroughly shaken so that the additional ingredient completely covers the skin of the tomatoes. If alcohol was added, then it must be carefully set on fire and the lid rolled up. traditional way. The jars must be pasteurized and the tomatoes clean. In this state, the tomatoes will retain their freshness and after a few months they will still remain juicy and ripe.

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The taste of a tomato is the result of a combination of sugars, acids and volatiles (compounds perceived by our senses as aromas). It is in volatile substances that the cause lies. They are extremely sensitive to temperatures, so exposure to these substances kills the wonderful flavor of the tomatoes.

Chemistry of tomato

The French know a lot about food, and it was French scientists who studied the effects of temperature on the taste of tomatoes. In particular, the effects of storing fruits at room temperature and in the refrigerator were compared.

The result is this: at a storage temperature of 20 °C, a ripe tomato not only does not stop the release of volatile fragrant substances, but also enhances their production. Simply put, the tomato becomes even more flavorful.

A completely different situation was observed at a storage temperature of 4 °C. The fragrant substances not only ceased to be released - similar compounds already contained in the tomato began to break down. Moreover, at different connections different resistance to low temperatures. First of all, and more than others, the substances that give the taste of the fruit the so-called herbaceous tint were destroyed. This is what we perceive as a sign of a fresh tomato, and the substances responsible for this quality are destroyed in the refrigerator first.

The problem here is not just chemistry. The structure of the fruit also plays a role. Tomatoes are delicate, and not only sub-zero temperatures can harm them. Just lower the temperature environment up to 10 °C, and the fruit will begin to deteriorate at the cellular level. It's essentially massive frostbite, resulting in a bland, tasteless tomato.

Exceptions: soups and sauces

Against such a backdrop negative influence refrigerator on fresh tomatoes It seems strange that soups and sauces based on the same tomatoes, when stored in the refrigerator for a short time, not only do not lose their taste, but often even become better.

Why? The point is that in the case of ready-made dish or sauce, we are no longer talking about the pure taste of one product, but about a mixture of tastes, and there is practically no taste of tomatoes there.

After heat treatment of tomatoes, there is no talk of any volatile aromatic substances - they are not there. Therefore, manufacturers simply do not rely on the true taste of tomatoes. Taste tomato paste added with spices. Just add freshly grated tomatoes to the tomato soup at the very end and you will feel the difference.

If you still need to cool it down

Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, but if you really need to refrigerate them, consider the following fact.

Even if the tomato had been in the refrigerator for 6 days, after it was placed at room temperature for a day, a renewed release of aromatic substances was observed. Of course, in a smaller volume, but still.

Scientists are trying to develop special varieties of tomatoes that are resistant to low temperatures. For this purpose, we are researching wild varieties plants that grow successfully in the Andes.

Growing tomatoes is under the constant control of every vegetable grower. Very often ripe or under ripe fruits have to be removed en masse from the bushes. Let's look at how to store tomatoes at home in an apartment so that they remain juicy and fresh. long time.

There are many reasons that can force you to pick unripe tomatoes from the bush.

There are many reasons for harvesting tomatoes in quantities exceeding the current needs of the vegetable grower:

• Theft.
• The plant is overloaded with fruits.
• The fruits are too heavy and break branches.
• The tomatoes have ripened en masse.
• Threat of frost, signs of serious tomato diseases.

Collection rules

It is important not only to harvest tomatoes on time, but also to do it correctly so that the fruits are well stored.

Unripe tomatoes can be stored much longer than ripe ones.

The collection rules apply to all tomatoes, regardless of the degree and timing of their ripeness.

Important to remember: Not all varieties of tomatoes are intended for storage.. Early ripening thin-skinned or so-called “salad” tomatoes should be used for food or processed into sauces and lecho first.

Preparation

Transportation of ripe tomatoes should be very careful, as there is a high probability of crushing the fruits. Ripe tomatoes are stored at home without loss taste qualities about 3–8 days.

For long-term storage Preferred tomatoes are harvested at the stage of milky ripeness, reaching the size characteristic of their variety, but green.

The fruits of milky ripeness are practically green tomatoes, just beginning to turn red.

Tomatoes at the stage of partial ripening - blanzhe ripeness , will ripen in 1.5-2 weeks. Therefore, you should not put them in the “distant drawer”.

These tomatoes are already ripe and won’t last long!

Conditions

Optimal storage conditions:

After harvesting, all fruits are carefully inspected and sorted by size, varietal early maturity (mid-ripening, late-ripening), visual cues ripening (green, white, brown, pink).

You should not harvest from the bushes.

Diseased plants

The harvest from diseased plants is collected separately, in the absence of signs of disease on the fruits themselves (rot, pigmentation).

Cracked tomatoes will not last long and are eaten first.

Tomatoes are lowered onto 1.5-2 minutes hot (about 60°C) water and wipe dry. You can try to prevent it by wiping the fruits with vodka or a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate.

Unfortunately, if a tomato is infected, then no type of treatment will be effective. You need to get rid of the tomato immediately.

Accelerate the ripening of tomatoes

Tomatoes will ripen as quickly as possible if you place them on a radiator.

It's nice to pamper yourself and your loved ones with fresh ripe tomatoes before late autumn or even winter, but not everyone has such an opportunity - to create optimal conditions for long-term storage of a rich harvest of tomatoes. Unripe tomatoes contain poison - solanine, which can cause serious poisoning in humans and lead to death. Therefore, gardeners have a need to quickly produce tomatoes for processing.

Secrets of accelerated ripening of tomatoes:

Tomatoes find a second life in preparations for the winter. There are a lot of methods for salting, pickling, drying, drying and other processing, but only ripe tomatoes keep ripe tomatoes “fresh”. blast freezing in the freezer.

Can tomatoes be stored in the refrigerator?

In the refrigerator, tomatoes are stored in a special vegetable compartment.

Scientists have proven that storing ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator worsens their taste.. Green tomatoes will never ripen on the refrigerator shelf, and ripe ones will become tasteless.

If there is an urgent need to store tomatoes in refrigerator it's possible, but no more than a week (up to 8–12 days). To do this, you must follow a number of rules:

• Store in the designated compartment (area). At a temperature not lower than +5–8 °C Heat-loving crops get frostbite and quickly spoil.
• Do not seal in airtight plastic bags or don't tie them.
• Store separately from other vegetables and fruits.

Tomatoes need to be removed from the refrigerator in 12–24 hours before use and let them warm up at room temperature, then the lost aroma will be partially restored and the taste will improve.

Tomatoes in cans without preservation

IN Lately Some methods of preserving ripe tomatoes without heat treatment in various containers (mainly 3-liter jars) have become very popular.

The vacuum method does not always work and has many negative reviews.

Conclusion

Successful storage of tomatoes largely depends on the right choice varieties.

At proper storage late (especially hybrid) tomatoes can gradually mature until February, maintaining its freshness. Cultivated tomatoes require constant monitoring: selection of actively ripening and spoiling fruits.

If a vegetable grower has managed to independently grow a rich harvest of tomatoes, then he will have the patience to preserve it until the right moment or ripen it for processing, following simple, time-tested rules for storing tomatoes at home.

Video on how to prepare tomatoes for the winter without canning

Until recently, tomato lovers did not think about where to store tomatoes. After all, from childhood we were taught: it is better to store food in the refrigerator. It is believed that there they deteriorate more slowly. But lately there has been an increasingly common assertion that this rule does not work for tomatoes. Let's figure out who is right and who is wrong in this matter.

Gardeners and housewives are in desperate debate over whether to store fresh tomatoes in a refrigerator. Some say yes, others categorically disagree with them and believe that tomatoes have no place in the refrigerator. Both are partly right.

Proponents of the theory that the refrigerator is not the best place for tomatoes say that low temperatures kill the aroma and taste of the fruit. This is why many people don't store tomatoes in the refrigerator. And there is confirmation of this. It was experimentally established that when low temperatures the aroma of the fruit is lost. But does this mean that tomatoes absolutely cannot be stored in the refrigerator?

Necessary storage conditions

Scientists have experimentally found that optimal temperature for storing tomatoes +12-13 degrees. Neither the room temperature nor the air temperature in the refrigerator corresponds to this level. At home, especially in summer, the temperature reaches 25-30 degrees. And in the refrigerator it is always less than 12 degrees (depending on the settings from +2 to +8). Therefore, neither the first nor the second option for this product is optimal.

Where to store

The most the best option consider a dry, cool room with a temperature no higher than 12 degrees. For residents of private houses the best place- cellar. There, tomatoes can be stored fresh and aromatic for several months.

Reference. Some gardeners manage to preserve their harvests in the cellar until the end of autumn - beginning of winter.

In an apartment, tomatoes are stored well for up to 10 days when hung on a cool wall. Usually such a wall is on a balcony or loggia.

Experienced housewives, in order to preserve them for as long as possible, advise first of all to pay attention to the degree of ripeness of tomatoes. If the fruits are already fully ripe, then a warm place can be their storage for no more than a few days. Then they will start to deteriorate.

It is still better to place ripe fruits in the cold. This is correct to extend their shelf life. How long do tomatoes last in the refrigerator? They can stay there for up to several weeks.

If we are talking about still unripe (green) tomatoes that are harvested ahead of schedule, then the storage rules have special features for them. A refrigerator won't do any good. They need a warmer place to ripen. A few weeks at room temperature will allow the fruit to ripen. At the same time, both the taste and aroma will be worthy.

Important! It will not be superfluous to review the stored fruits every few days. If some copies begin to deteriorate, you need to detect them in time and remove them from the storage location.

If the tomatoes go bad

Tomatoes that are not suitable for preservation can be:

1. Recycle. For example, make a batch of homemade tomato sauce or ketchup. Fruits can also be cut into halves or pieces. It will be very useful in winter.
2. Wither or dry. This is done both in the oven and in an electric dryer. Sun-dried tomatoes are usually stored in jars, filled to the top with vegetable oil.
3. To freeze. Small tomatoes are frozen whole in bags, large ones - cut (for example, pizza rings). The fruits are also twisted in a meat grinder or pureed in a blender. In winter they are added to sauces and gravies.

Here are some tips from experienced housewives:

1. When storing in the refrigerator, it is better to place ripe fruits not near the far wall, but closer to the door or in a special drawer for vegetables. It's a little warmer there.
2. When storing unripe tomatoes, it is good to transfer them with dry hay or sawdust.
3. It is better to calibrate the fruits. Medium-sized tomatoes with thick skin can be preserved for a long time without damaging its integrity.

The best varieties for long-term storage

Breeders have developed many varieties of tomatoes from for a long time storage:

• New Year;
• Lying;
• Winter Heart;
• Winter miracle;
• Christmas;
• Gift of autumn;
• Snowfall, etc.

Attention! Medium tomatoes, thick-walled and with thick skin, last a long time. It is important that the fruits are not damaged.

Let's sum it up

If you are the happy owner of a private home, then you probably have a cellar. This is the best place to store tomatoes. Alternative options for apartment residents - a refrigerator or a cool place near the balcony.

If the tomatoes are still green, do not store them in the refrigerator. Feel free to leave the fruits on the windowsill. And if the tomatoes are already fully ripe, opt for a vegetable drawer in the refrigerator. The aroma will weaken a little, but you will extend the shelf life of the fruit. And don’t believe those who say that tomatoes absolutely cannot be kept in the cold. Ripe - yes.

• Shelf life: 1 month
• Best before date: 1 month
• Shelf life in the refrigerator: 1 month
• Freezer life: 12 months

Tomatoes are the most popular product sold worldwide. They are so popular not only because of their taste, but also because of their usefulness. Tomatoes are definitely a treasure trove. huge amount minerals, vitamins and useful substances. This product contains vitamins B2, A, B6, E, PP and even the rare vitamin K.

There is currently a lot of controversy surrounding how to store tomatoes. Many people claim that tomatoes cannot be stored in the refrigerator, but only at room temperature. Of course, this statement is not entirely true; it is better to store tomatoes not in the refrigerator, but also not at room temperature.

How to store tomatoes

When choosing a method for storing tomatoes, it is better to choose the lesser of two evils. Best temperature Storage of this product is from 12 to 20 degrees. The problem is that the room temperature, especially in summer, is much higher than 20 degrees. That is why, to preserve the product, it is better to put it in the refrigerator. Of course, ideally, it is better to store tomatoes in a cellar or in wine cabinet. If there are none, the choice is either high room temperature or too low in the refrigerator. If the tomatoes are already ripe, it is better to store them in the refrigerator.

If you don’t like cold tomatoes and don’t want to wait until they reach room temperature after refrigeration, it’s better to buy already ripe tomatoes and in small quantities, as much as you can eat in a few days. In this case, they can be stored at room temperature and it is better that they are on a flat surface.

If you bought unripe tomatoes, it is better to store them for some time at room temperature until they ripen. After the tomatoes are ripe, they can be put in the refrigerator.

If you do not have a cool place, then all tomatoes that have not been eaten in a few days should be transferred to the refrigerator. If you nevertheless decided to store this product in the refrigerator, then it is better to place them on the door or the very last shelf, since it is usually warmer there than in the entire refrigerator.

How to store green tomatoes

If the tomatoes are left for further ripening, it is necessary to provide them with a bright place with a temperature within +15+18 degrees. In the light, vegetables acquire bright colors and ripen evenly, while in dark places their color will be light pink.

To make the fruits ripen faster, put them in green tomatoes several red ones.

Green tomatoes can be preserved for a very long time, however, not all varieties are suitable for this. For long-term storage The fruits should be medium in size, with thick skin, without dents or damage. Large tomatoes are only suitable for fast maturing, small ones can be left for long-term storage, but this is not better side will affect their taste.

Unripe green tomatoes are placed in baskets, boxes, boxes or placed on shelves. For long-term storage, it is advisable to sprinkle the fruits with sawdust.

Shelf life of tomatoes in the refrigerator

Many people still debate whether to store tomatoes in the refrigerator. Let's figure it out.

An indisputable fact in favor of the refrigerator is the suspension of metabolic processes in fruits, which contributes to their longer freshness. However, in the refrigerator, a tomato can quickly wilt due to the high moisture content in its composition. Owners of old-style refrigerators that do not maintain constant humidity have often faced and continue to face this problem. Those who have modern refrigerators do not have such problems, since they maintain optimal temperature and humidity parameters.

Without a doubt, tomatoes will be stored many times longer in the refrigerator than at room temperature. The shelf life of tomatoes in the refrigerator is up to 2 weeks, at a time when tomatoes stored in the room will last only a couple of days.

Shelf life of tomatoes in the freezer

Freezing tomatoes is in a great way keep them for as long as possible. However, even when storing tomatoes in the freezer, you need to follow some rules:

• choose medium-sized vegetables without dents or damage;
• wash the fruit thoroughly before freezing;
• To help them dry faster after washing, dry them thoroughly with paper towels.

You can freeze tomatoes in several ways, at your discretion:

1. freezing whole vegetables.
   

   At this method vegetables will be stored quite well for a long time, and also retain most vitamins and beneficial properties. In addition, after defrosting, whole fruits can be used in salads or cut into slices.
   

   For such freezing, select medium-sized tomatoes, without damage, wash and dry them. Then place the vegetables in shallow containers and send them to freezer for pre-freezing. After 6-7 hours, remove the vegetables and put them into bags or containers, and then put them in the freezer again, but for long-term storage. You can store tomatoes in the freezer during a year.

2. freezing chopped tomatoes.
   

   Pre-washed and dried vegetables must be cut into slices or pieces. Then arrange the resulting elements on a plate, leaving small gaps, and put them in the freezer. After 3-4 hours, pour the contents of the plate into a container convenient for storage and place in the freezer for long-term storage.

3. vitamin balls.
   

   This method requires a little more time to prepare, unlike others, but in the future it will save a lot of time. Any tomatoes are suitable for this freezing. First, wash them, and then peel them and cut them into small pieces.
   

   For variety, you can add and, which also need to be pre-washed and cut.
   

   Grind the resulting mixture of vegetables using a blender or meat grinder. No need to add salt. Finished product pour into molds and place in the freezer to freeze. After 5-6 hours, remove the molds, separate the resulting semi-finished products from them and place them in containers or bags for freezing. like this vitamin mixture can be added to any dishes when cooking.

Shelf life of tomatoes at room temperature

To store tomatoes at room temperature, you need to find a dry and ventilated room. For unripe tomatoes, the temperature in the storage area should not exceed +20°C, otherwise they will become overripe and begin to rot. For ripe tomatoes, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within +5+7 degrees.

During the entire storage period, check the fruits every 1-2 weeks for spoilage and dispose of them in a timely manner so that they do not affect the storage of the rest.

It is also necessary to promptly separate overripe fruits from others.

If all conditions are met, tomatoes can be stored within a few months.