When the tomatoes have already been picked from the bushes, main task The gardener is faced with the safety of the fruit. Tomatoes can be stored at home, but you need to know some nuances that will preserve the taste and integrity of tomatoes longer.

At proper storage tomatoes can last up to several months without spoiling.

Preparing the site

Maintaining temperature conditions and low humidity are the factors on which shelf life directly depends. The optimal temperature for ripe tomatoes is the range from plus 10 to 24 degrees. With more high temperature The fermentation process begins to develop in the tomato. As a result, the fruit begins to rot and is no longer suitable for consumption. At temperatures below plus 10 degrees, the pulp, on the contrary, freezes and becomes loose, the skin withers.

High humidity in the room is detrimental to the fruits - they immediately begin to rot and mold forms on them. If even just one tomato becomes infected with a fungus, the disease quickly spreads to healthy specimens. After a few days, the entire harvest can be thrown away.

To store tomatoes use:

• Wooden boxes. The boxes should have slits for oxygen to enter so that the tomatoes do not suffocate. It is not recommended to close the box with a lid; you can cover the contents with gauze, cotton fabric. There should be no odors from foreign products in the box. Dry hay can be placed at the bottom to protect the tomatoes from moisture.
• Banks. Glass jars are considered the most suitable for storage. They are pre-washed with baking soda to prevent the formation of pathogenic microorganisms on the walls. After washing, wipe the jars dry with a waffle towel.

Important!

After washing, the jars are dried well so that no traces of water remain on them.

• Pot. A deep saucepan with thin walls and bottom will do. It is washed in advance with baking soda and then allowed to dry.
• Baskets. Wicker baskets allow air to pass through well, so they are often used for storing tomatoes.

In a refrigerator

There are a lot of conflicting reviews about storing tomatoes in the refrigerator. Some argue that the harvest is stored well there and does not spoil for a long time. Others say that vegetables become airy and rot quickly. In fact, you can store tomatoes in the refrigerator, but you need to follow the rules when storing:

1. Commodity neighborhood. You should not put fruits with other vegetables; tomatoes are stored in a separate compartment.
2. Storage container. You can use a plastic food container, but do not close it tightly with a lid. Sometimes tomatoes are stored in plastic bags, in this case they do not need to be tied.
3. Temperature. It should not be below 4-5 degrees Celsius.
   The shelf life of ripe fruits in the refrigerator is a maximum of 2 weeks. Then the appearance loses its attractiveness, and taste characteristics become significantly worse. It is not advisable to keep unripe and green tomatoes in the refrigerator; they will quickly spoil.

Preparation

Ripe tomatoes, which have already reached the condition and appropriate color, are wiped with a dry towel and stacked in one, maximum two rows in wooden box, cart. The larger the storage area of ​​the item, the better. If possible, place cardboard or other material between adjacent tomato fruits. dense material so that they do not touch each other.

Folded tomatoes are placed in any cool, dark place. This could be a basement, cellar, attic, storage room. Leave the box with the harvest for no more than a month.

Green tomatoes must ripen to the desired color before storage. To do this, they are placed in a warm room. You can put the harvest in jars or baskets, and then put them in a room with a temperature of 22-26 degrees Celsius. Tomatoes ripen in 2-3 weeks, then they are stored for storage, like ripe fruits. To make ripening more intense, add one red tomato to the green tomatoes.

If desired, the ripening period can be delayed for a couple of weeks. Green tomatoes are stored in a cool room at a temperature of 12-17 degrees. Under such conditions, ripening slows down noticeably; the tomatoes remain intact and can last for at least a month.

If the tomatoes start to spoil

Even if the tomatoes were stored in right place, they may suddenly begin to rot. The reason for this is tomatoes already infected with viruses or fungi. The disease may lurk inside the pulp, there are no signs of infection on the outside, but over time, rot develops and manifests itself outward.

Infected tomatoes are immediately removed from the rest of the crop. If the affected area is small, then you can cut it off and keep the tomato itself in boiling water for a couple of minutes. The temperature will destroy the pathogen, so you can eat the tomato without fear. If most of the pulp and skin are already affected, then the fruit is thrown away - it is not suitable for food, as it can cause serious poisoning.

Tomatoes can be stored not only in their usual whole form, but also frozen. When frozen, the shelf life is from one year, while the taste and benefits of the plants are preserved. Tomato slices are suitable for freezing; they are placed in a plastic container and put in the freezer. Placed slices can be used for cooking various dishes. They will taste no different from fresh ones.

You can make a preparation from tomatoes - tomato juice. Twist the fruits in a blender and pour into plastic bottles and then they are frozen. When you need tomato juice, take out the bottle, defrost it a little and break it off required quantity, after which they are again stored in the freezer.

Important!

For better storage you need to choose tomato varieties with a long shelf life. These are Khrustik, Alyonushka, Pink Honey, Orange Ball. The shelf life of the listed varieties is at least a month in their mature form under cool conditions.

Proper harvesting is very important for its preservation. Although tomatoes are considered a perishable product, it is still possible to preserve their taste and the integrity of the fruit; it is enough to create comfortable conditions for them to do this.

The tomato is a simple, but at the same time mysterious fruit, which until the thirties of the twentieth century had the status of a fruit, and then was transferred to the category juicy vegetables. Literal translation The name of the tomato is the apple of paradise, which is why in some countries tomatoes are still consumed as a dessert.

Thanks to B vitamins and lycopene, tomatoes can prevent cancer, reduce the risk of intestinal diseases, and also saturate the body with almost all essential microelements.

How to store tomatoes

The shelf life of red tomatoes without refrigeration is about 5-7 days. Tomatoes that are pink or slightly greenish in color can stay fresh longer. Storing tomatoes is very easy: purchased vegetables must be washed and wiped dry, put in a plate or bowl and left in a cool, dry place.

How to store tomatoes in the refrigerator

It is not recommended to store tomatoes in the refrigerator, since if the temperature is too cold and dry, the fruit may shrink and begin to deteriorate. But if it is necessary to increase the shelf life of these fruits, they can be placed in a special compartment (freshness zone), where they are created favorable conditions for storing vegetables. In the zero chamber, tomatoes will be fresh for more than 2-4 weeks.

How to freeze tomatoes

A frozen tomato loses its taste due to the fact that it consists of more than 90% water. The most acceptable option is to use tomato for color or in cooking, since nutrients are stored in it.

Freezing instructions:

1. Wash and dry fresh tomatoes.
2. Choose required size frozen pieces and cut the tomatoes (finely, into quarters, in halves, whole).
3. Drain the juice and seeds and pack the tomatoes in a vacuum container or bag.
4. Freeze at temperature freezer from -12 degrees.

Tomatoes are a favorite vegetable for many, used as the main component of salads and as an addition to hot dishes. At the end of the season, I really want to find the best way to store tomatoes so that they remain juicy and tasty longer. In our article we will talk about how to properly preserve the harvest of ripe tomatoes at home, and also talk about storing green fruits at the ripening stage.

Storage conditions

To keep tomatoes fresh for a long time, you need to create the right conditions. Without meeting certain requirements, for example, in a package in kitchen cabinet, tomatoes only last a few days, after which they begin to quickly deteriorate.

Many people are accustomed to storing tomatoes in the refrigerator, where they can last up to 10 days. But if you want to save tomatoes longer, for example, until the new year, you need to consider the following factors:

• choose for storage only whole fruits, without the slightest damage and traces of damage;
• give preference immature tomatoes, not ripe specimens;
• take care of a suitable one temperature conditions . It will depend on the degree of ripeness and the specific storage method;
• provide regular air ventilation in room.

Methods for long-term storage of tomatoes

Each of the methods below is suitable for tomatoes of varying degrees of ripeness - from completely green to ripe and overripe fruits. Both homemade tomatoes, just picked from the garden, and those purchased at the market are suitable for saving.

Check the tomatoes where they are stored at least twice a week. The point is not only in the possible spoilage of fruits, but also in the speed of their ripening. Ripe (or already ripening) tomatoes emit ethylene, which activates the ripening process of the rest. Therefore, specimens that begin to turn red must be removed from storage as quickly as possible. For the same reason, apples or pears from the autumn harvest should not be kept next to tomatoes.

Ripe fruits Stores well in clean lattice boxes made of plastic or wood. Cover the bottom of the container with clean paper/parchment and place the tomatoes on it, additionally placing each row with paper or wrapping the vegetables in it. When all the tomatoes are laid, fill the contents with peat or sawdust. In this form, tomatoes can last for several months if the room temperature is maintained at no more than +8...12 ℃.

To keep tomatoes fresh for the winter, it is important to harvest at the stage of milk maturity. If weather permits, it is best to harvest green fruits from the garden as late as possible, for example in October. Wrap each vegetable in thin black paper and carefully place it in a wire box, layering each row with straw. The workpiece should be stored in a dry, dark place with good ventilation system at a temperature of +10 ℃. If all conditions are met, the tomatoes will gradually ripen and last until January.

To destroy microbes and extend the shelf life of tomatoes, before storing the boxes should be treated with pharmaceutical alcohol and dried.

• in vegetable oil. Place the tomatoes in glass jars and pour in sunflower or other vegetable oil so that it completely covers the vegetables. The layer of oil on top should be at least 1 cm. Cover the workpiece with an iron or plastic lid;
• in brine. Mix water, salt and vinegar in a ratio of 8:1:1. Place the washed tomatoes in a container and fill with the prepared solution.

For fast ripening green fruits (5-10 days), place the tomatoes on the floor in a well-lit place with a temperature of about +25 ℃. You can pick the fruits directly with the stalks and stalks and hang them in a ventilated room. A small amount of unripe vegetables can be laid out in the apartment right on the windowsill so that they turn red.

To keep tomatoes fresh longer, do not wash them before storing them.

Proven storage method ripe tomatoes – pickling. Select strong red fruits for harvesting, free them from the stalks. Separately prepare overripe tomatoes: they need to be cut into large pieces. Place a layer of chopped tomatoes 8-10 cm thick in a pan or jar, add a little salt, place a layer of whole fruits on top and sprinkle with salt again. Fill the container to the top so that last layer there was salt. Seal the container tightly and store in a cool place.

For detailed recipes for preparing tomatoes for the winter, see this section of our website.

Where to store tomatoes in an apartment?

Still wondering how to store tomatoes at home in an apartment? If in rural areas there is almost always a cellar - the best place To save tomatoes, city dwellers have to choose between storing them in the refrigerator and storing them at room temperature. Decide on the best option The following principles will help:

1. Suitable for storing tomatoes intended for use in the near future. any place protected from the sun. Place the tomatoes flat side down on a windowsill or kitchen table. In a couple of days they will become more tasty and will not lose their aroma.
2. To store ripe red tomatoes for 5-7 days, place them on the vegetable shelf of the refrigerator closer to the door.
3. It is recommended to keep slightly unripe fruits at room temperature until they ripen, and then move the refrigerator.
4. It is convenient to preserve ripe tomatoes in autumn and winter on glassed balcony or loggias, where the temperature ranges from +10 to +20 ℃. In such conditions, it is enough to lay out the tomatoes in one layer on the floor or another flat surface, covering on top thick fabric to avoid direct sunlight.

Tricks

Regardless of where and at what temperature you decide to store tomatoes, some tricks can extend their shelf life:

• The variety of tomatoes is important (plan storage at the stage of selecting seeds);
• store ripe tomatoes separately from unripe ones and at different temperatures;
• keep in mind that large fruits ripen faster than small ones;
• when sorting tomatoes, conduct a thorough inspection of each vegetable, because even the slightest traces of late blight can lead to damage to the entire crop;
• remember that tomatoes are stored longer without stems;
• Dry vegetables before storing;
• To keep fresh tomatoes longer, treat them with a 0.3% solution boric acid or a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).

Video

In the following video you will learn about three in different ways storage of tomatoes:

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Natural toxins are found in many plants; Those grown in gardens and vegetable gardens are no exception. Thus, the seeds of apples, apricots, and peaches contain hydrocyanic acid, and the tops and peels of unripe nightshades (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes) contain solanine. But do not be afraid: their number is too small.

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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). The cause is hidden in volatile substances. They are extremely sensitive to temperatures, so exposure to these substances kills wonderful aroma 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 temperature. 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 background negative influence refrigerator for 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 fact is that in the case of a 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. To do this, wild varieties of plants that successfully grow in the Andes are being studied.

From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, many housewives work hard in their gardens to grow tasty, healthy and, most importantly, natural products. Several beds are certainly occupied by a common favorite - the tomato!

Its bright, ripe and incredibly fragrant fruits, tomatoes are rich in the hormone serotonin, which gives us a feeling of happiness, vitamins C and A, as well as a whole list of organic acids.

Of course, you can find beautiful, even tomatoes in every store and supermarket. Fortunately, they are full of them all year round.

But is a store-bought copy comparable to a home-made one? Grown with care, incredibly healthy, aromatic and, well, very tasty!

It is no wonder that the goal and dream of many summer residents is to preserve tender multi-nest berries until late autumn. But is it possible? And if so, how to preserve tomatoes at home?

Surprising but true...

From a botanical point of view, tomatoes are nothing more than berries. But in the 19th century, the US Supreme Court ruled that tomato fruits should be treated as vegetables when collecting customs duties.

It is this difference in views that has become the reason for the question so often asked today, what type of crop the tomato belongs to.

Which varieties stay fresh the longest?

The most offensive thing for any housewife is to throw away a product grown with love because it has spoiled. And this, unfortunately, happens, and often. It’s better to play it safe in advance and choose a variety of tomatoes for planting that definitely won’t let you down. As one wise saying goes:

“It’s better to think for one day than to work in vain for a whole week.”

Moreover, nowadays there is plenty to choose from. The number of tomato varieties bred by breeders reaches 25 thousand. Among them there are both mid-late and late varieties. And even a wonderful new product - “bed-beds”, i.e. special long-lasting varieties.

Perhaps many have already had the opportunity to meet some of them:

• "De Barao"- round, slightly oblong fruits of various shades: red, green, yellow, black.
• "San Marzano"- fleshy burgundy fruits shaped like plums.
• "Long Keeper"- the fruits will remain juicy and fresh until February.
• "Giraffe"- round juicy fruits. You can decorate the table with them even on March 8th.

Of course, you can choose one of these varieties. But what to do when you really want to plant some special, too beautiful or too tasty and attractive varieties?

Try to create storage for them best conditions, so you will at least prolong their life as much as possible.

How to keep tomatoes healthy and fresh for a long time

Try to find a secluded, dark place in your apartment where the temperature always remains stable and is within 10 °C. The humidity is 80% and there is good air circulation.

This could be a basement, cellar or room, but in no case a refrigerator. In it, tomatoes will lose their herbaceous smell, for which they are so loved, and taste.

Here's the thing! All the flavor of tomatoes comes from acids, sugars and special volatile substances. This entire complex is extremely sensitive to ambient temperature. If it turns out to be lower than required, the aromatic berries will become less aromatic and less tasty.

Recent studies by scientists from France have shown that optimal temperature, at which the production of volatile fragrant substances is enhanced, is 20°C. It is in these warm conditions that tomatoes are left to fully ripen 5 days before consumption.

However, you don’t have to completely forget about the refrigerator. This is a great and easy way to preserve beautiful berries if you intend to eat them within a few days. Or refrigerate before cutting into a salad.

What else is important to know about multi-celled berries in order to keep them fresh for as long as possible:

• Be sure to re-sort your harvest. Do not store whole and damaged, overripe and green fruits together.

Tomatoes of “milk ripeness” are best stored when they have reached their natural size, but are not ripe. As a rule, at this moment the berries acquire a pale pink tint.

• Pick tomatoes from the plant before the night air gets colder than 8°C. If ripe fruits freeze right in the garden, they certainly won’t last long.
• It is better to collect during the day, when the berries are already dry after the morning dew.
• There is no need to wash tomatoes before long-term storage; it is better to wipe each fruit with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol. This way you will get rid of all germs at once.

The stem of tomatoes must be cut off immediately before slicing!

How to store tomatoes in trays and boxes

If you have already decided on the place allocated for storing fruits, it’s time to prepare boxes for them. Cover their bottoms with clean paper or fill them with sawdust.

Then wrap the paper around the fruits, each individually, and arrange them in rows. No more than 3 in one box. Cover each layer with paper or sprinkle with sawdust.

Remember to leave small empty spaces between the fruits for free air circulation. You don't need to pack them too tightly.

Wherever your berries are stored, visit them at least occasionally. Check the condition of each fruit, keep spoiled ones away from healthy ones. There is no need to feel sorry for them, otherwise you may lose the entire harvest.

Make your decision to try delicious tomatoes in advance. A week before, take the selected fruits to a bright and warm room for complete, final ripening.

How to preserve tomatoes in jars

You can increase the shelf life of berries to five months by placing them in simple glass jars. This method is suitable for both ripe and milk fruits.

1 option. Rinse and dry the tomatoes thoroughly. Place them in a sterilized jar, but do not press too tightly. Add a few spoons of alcohol and cover with a nylon lid.

Roll the jar in your hands. But there is no need to be cowardly and thereby damage the tomatoes. Perform the operation carefully, so that all the fruits get wet.

After this, insert the wick inside the jar and light it with outside. As soon as the alcohol in the jar catches fire, quickly and carefully roll it up.

Option 2. You will need approximately 6 tbsp. l. dry mustard. Pour the first 2 into the bottom of a sterilized jar immediately. Then arrange the tomatoes, adding more to each layer. At the end add another 1 liter. mustard and roll up the jar.

Option 3. Place 9 mm in a sterilized jar. layer of chopped tomatoes and salt. Next we put the whole fruits to the end of the jar, sprinkling each layer with salt. Let's roll up.

How to Preserve Tomatoes That Are Fully Ripe and Ready to Eat

It also happens that the red berries are already overripe, you don’t want to eat them yet, but it’s a pity to throw them away. In this case, use the following method.

Mix water with salt and 9% vinegar in a ratio of 8x1x1. Place clean tomatoes in a jar or pan and fill with the resulting mixture.

Pour on top vegetable oil so that it covers 1 cm of food.

What's the best way to store tomatoes in the refrigerator?

You also need to know how to store fruits in the refrigerator. Each of them has a special shelf for vegetables, and that’s where they need to be placed. The cuttings should face upwards, and between each fruit it is necessary to leave very little space for air to enter.

We must cover each layer with paper, or even better, wrap it around each individual fruit.

Tomatoes should not be stored in the cold for more than 3-4 days, otherwise they will become useless and tasteless.

How to save tomatoes that have started to spoil

The first sign of a tomato “disease” is the appearance of brown or other spots.

But you can fight them too. True, in a more radical way - through pasteurization.

Heat the water to 60°C. It will become like this about 7 minutes after boiling. And immerse the tomatoes in it for literally 3 minutes. After this, dry the wet fruits in the fresh air.

Save your efforts and store food correctly. Enjoy natural, tasty and aromatic tomatoes all year round!