Refrigerated or not: at what temperature is it best to store tomatoes?
Tomatoes are a popular vegetable that is used in recipes in cuisines of different countries.
To preserve a vegetable for a long time, it needs to create optimal conditions. Some of the most important indicators are relative humidity and temperature.
In this article we will tell you at what temperature to store tomatoes.
Content
Tomato storage temperature
Depending on the condition of the collected tomatoes, the most suitable temperature for storing them is selected. In this case, the humidity level should be around 85-90%.
Fresh
Fresh vegetables should be stored in cool conditions. The most favorable temperature depends on the degree of ripeness of the vegetable.
If it is necessary to preserve the crop for as long as possible, the value should be:
- for green tomatoes – up to +14? C;
- for fruits of milk maturity – up to +10? C;
- for brown ones - about +6? C;
- for ripe ones - about +2? C.
Storage in the refrigerator ensures that the quality of the product is preserved for a sufficiently long time at the optimal temperature.
Canned
Each type of homemade tomato preparation requires its own temperature regime. Conditions depend on cooking technology.
If the tomatoes were canned with a hermetically sealed lid, then the best place for them would be one in which it is not higher than +20°C, and the humidity is up to 75%.
Pickled vegetables that are pickled without sealing must be stored in a cool place with a temperature of 0-4°C. If jars of canned vegetables are swollen or the brine has become cloudy, you should not use tomatoes for food.
Dried
Sun-dried tomatoes are most often prepared in oil with spices and herbs.. The best storage conditions are low temperatures, up to +10°C. You can put such a preparation in the refrigerator, cellar or cool pantry.
Vacuum packed
Vacuum packaging is one way to extend the storage time of tomatoes. In cool conditions, such a preparation can be stored for up to 50 days. Successful storage is possible with careful selection of vegetables.
Professional vacuum packaging makes it possible to preserve tomatoes in the freezer for up to 2 years, if the freezer temperature is maintained at a stable level of -18°C or lower.
Storage in vacuum packaging is the best way to preserve the product for a long time without much effort.
Cherry
Cherry tomatoes can last in the refrigerator for up to 15-20 days. To do this, it is important to choose the right packaging for them. This could be a paper bag or cardboard box.
If polyethylene is used, then it is necessary to make holes in it for air circulation. Cherries will lie better if the layers are separated with paper or cardboard.
Their storage temperature should be up to +12°C.If a cellar or basement is chosen as the storage location, then cherry tomatoes can be kept in wicker baskets or cardboard boxes, being careful not to put many layers so as not to crush the vegetables.
Is it possible to leave it at room conditions for the winter?
The special aroma and taste of fresh tomatoes is associated with the release of unstable volatile compounds by vegetables, which are actively produced at a temperature of about +20°C. In a cool place there are much fewer of them.
This explains what tomatoes taken out of the refrigerator are not as flavorful as those left at a higher temperature.
A significant disadvantage of keeping it warm is the reduction in storage time of the vegetable. Harvested ripe tomatoes will not be able to maintain their quality for months at room conditions without additional processing.
At the same time, fruits collected green and milky ripe lie better, gradually ripening, but they will not be able to be preserved during the winter.
Some techniques will help extend the storage time of fresh crops:
- Rolling into jars with mustard.
- Paraffin treatment.
- In vegetable oil.
- Storage with alcohol-preserved paper, etc.
Conclusion
At what temperature to store tomatoes depends on their type and processing. Taking into account the existing conditions, you can choose the optimal way to enjoy your favorite vegetable even in winter.
