Pick the tomato with the richest intensity. The immature tomatoes will be forced to ripen with the aid of high temperatures or the use of chemicals. Generally, farmers harvesting for a small market rather than mass consumption are not as concerned with tomato transport. As a result, tomatoes from local farmers' markets are usually juicier, more flavorful, and more aromatic than supermarket offerings. Whether intended for cooking or for eating raw, tomatoes should be stored at room temperature for no more than three to five days.
Refrigeration makes the flesh of a tomato mealy and flavorless.
In order to grow hardier tomatoes with longer shelf lives, agriculturalists developed hybrid tomatoes. These hybrids have been falling out of fashion recently in favor of the more flavorful heirloom varieties. The heirloom movement began in the '70s as a way of preserving the unique varieties of fruits and vegetables facing extinction due to mass production of commercial varieties. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement . Please read our Privacy Policy .