To achieve this, many women store tomatoes in the refrigerator, while others prefer to keep them in the kitchen. But where exactly should tomatoes be stored?
You may have noticed that tomatoes aren't refrigerated in supermarkets when you buy them, and there might be a good reason for that, according to the British newspaper, the Daily Express.
According to a 2016 American study, refrigerating tomatoes for a week can significantly reduce the levels of flavor and aromatic chemicals known as volatile compounds.
BBC Science Focus explained that the study "found that refrigerated tomatoes for a week reduced the activity of genes that code for enzymes needed to produce these volatile compounds, which are responsible for giving tomatoes their sweeter and more complex taste."
According to the health website Mercola, the texture and color of tomatoes can also be affected by cold temperatures. "Cold damage," caused by temperatures below 5°C (41°F), can leave the fruit soft and with dents on the surface.
Therefore, evidence suggests that refrigerating tomatoes can quickly diminish their flavor.
However, refrigerating tomatoes extends their shelf life. A subsequent study conducted by German scientists in 2020 examined the taste of three tomato varieties handled under different conditions: refrigerated or stored at room temperature.
The study's findings contradicted the initial research, with the researchers concluding that short-term refrigeration of ripe tomatoes does not negatively impact their flavor.
Nevertheless, experts point out that the most important factor is the actual ripeness of the tomatoes at the time of refrigeration. If the tomatoes are not yet fully ripe, refrigerating them will prevent them from ripening further.
Most supermarket tomatoes should already be ripe, especially if they haven't been refrigerated. So, if you're unlikely to eat them within a few days, it doesn't hurt to put them in the fridge.
Experts from Food52 advise, "Unripe tomatoes should definitely not be put in the fridge. They need to be kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight."
They add, "Most importantly, to keep them fresher for longer, store them stem-side down as they finish ripening."
In short, the best way to store tomatoes depends on their ripeness. Unripe tomatoes are best left on the counter to ripen further, while overripe tomatoes can be kept in the fridge.