Do you put tomatoes in the fridge? Here's why we need to get them out now
Perfect for the preparation of sauces, juices, drinks and dishes of all kinds, tomatoes are rich in nutrients and have many benefits. Storing them well is crucial to prolonging their shelf life without losing their nutritional qualities. Find out how to store them on a daily basis.
One thing is certain: the tomato is a fruit that lends itself to the preparation of many delicious dishes. Only one question hangs over the conservation of this juicy food: should it be kept in the refrigerator?
Almost all French households (95 %) taste this product from South America. In 2018, the consumption of fresh tomatoes per person amounted to 13,5kg per year. No doubt, this fruit from the nightshade family (like potatoes or eggplant) is one of the star products of the summer. There are more than 500 varieties in France, for almost so many different flavors.
There are many ways to savor seasonal tomatoes. If you are one of those people who consume vegetables and fruits regularly, you should probably use the refrigerator as a storage space for this food, right?
The refrigerator is the best device to protect products from natural degradation, but several health and nutrition experts warn to avoid storing your tomatoes there to avoid nutritional loss of food and because of the change in flavor induced by this device. Some research even confirms this theory.
Tomatoes in the fridge – Source: spm
La tomato, in addition to being a very tasty food, is rich in nutrients. We can prepare delicious and varied recipes with fruits, ranging from salads to sauces to eat for meats.
Only, the tomato remains a food with a short shelf life. This means that once cut, it should be consumed as quickly as possible. And in case you don’t consume it all at once, it’s important to follow a few tips to maintain good conservation of the fruit.
There is a technique here to preserve the tomato, but above all, it is important to emphasize that you should only apply it to the least ripe tomatoes.
It is recommended to put these fruits in places more cool and at room temperature. Also, always store tomatoes upside down. This is a formidable trick to prolong its conservation.
Tomato: when is the best time to consume it?
The seasonal tomato is only available from June to September on market stalls, or even at the end of May for the earliest, the most tenacious being able to grow until mid-October. Before and beyond, the fruit is grown industrially, in greenhouses or above ground. A quality tomato is picked when ripe, after having taken advantage of the sun’s rays.
As it does not travel well, it is preferable to favor local producers and short circuits, and to taste it quickly: raw in a mixed salad or just seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil, cooked Provencal style or in a vegetable tian or, of course, stuffed.
Other foods that cannot be stored in the refrigerator
Beyond tomatoes, there are other foods that cannot be stored in the refrigerator, as they can also lose their flavor and nutritional capacity.
Watermelon and melon
Two slices of watermelon in the fridge – Source: spm
Two slices of watermelon in the fridge – Source: spm
Storing both whole fruits at room temperature will ensure that the antioxidant properties are maintained. If they are already cut, we advise you to keep them in the refrigerator for a maximum of three or four days.
Potatoes
Peeling potatoes – Source: spm
Peeling potatoes – Source: spm
Potatoes are another food that should also be kept out of the fridge. And for good reason, when this is the case, their starch may decrease, which will leave them with a more floury taste and appearance.
Hazelnut cream is also a food to keep out of the refrigerator because its particular flavor is even more intense when it is not refrigerated. Not to mention that the texture changes a lot when it is kept like this.
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