Tomatoes stay 'fresh and juicy' for longer if stored in one kitchen location

Nothing beats ripe summer tomatoesfor topping a succulent burger or tossing into a crisp salad, yet most people don't realise the proper way to store them. It might appear straightforward to simply pop tomatoes in the fridgeafter returning from the supermarket, but it's actually amongst the worst spots to keep them. There's a simpler way that keeps them fresh for more than just a few days.

Madeline Buiano, a cooking expert from Martha Stewart’s website, revealed that storing fresh tomatoes in the fridge damages them, as well as affects the flavour. She explained: "The standard rule is to keep tomatoes out of the refrigerator. It all comes down to science. It's in the genes.

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Tomatoes contain an enzyme that reacts to cold temperatures, causing the cell membranes to break down and leaving you with a piece of fruit that's mushy and mealy."

What is the best way to store tomatoes?

Rather, the ideal spot to keep unripe tomatoes in the kitchen is somewhere dry with good air flow to ward off mould, whilst keeping them out of direct sunlight which can make them ripen too rapidly, reports the Express.

Madeline noted: "A tomato at peak ripeness should be eaten right away. Still-ripening tomatoes will benefit from the warmer temperatures in your kitchen (as opposed to the cooler temperatures in your refrigerator)."

Keep tomatoes on a level surface such as a plate, as containers can lead to the fruit getting easily bruised and squashed or damaged, causing them to go off more quickly. Ensure you also place tomatoes stem-side down as this stops moisture and germs from getting into the stem scar, preventing them from going mouldy.

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How do you keep tomatoes fresher for longer?

It might appear odd but chilly temperatures stop the ripening process, so keeping unripe tomatoes in the fridge will prevent them from ever fully developing, which affects their taste. On the other hand, ripe tomatoes have already finished their ripening process, so there's less danger in refrigerating them without impacting their flavour or texture.

Madeline said: "If your tomatoes are on the cusp of becoming overripe and you don't want to lose them, you can keep them in the refrigerator for a few days to halt the ripening process."

Ensure you remove ripe tomatoes from the fridge and leave them at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking with them, as this will help restore the taste.

Sliced tomatoes should also be kept in the fridge, as leaving them at room temperature will cause them to start drying out from within. Nevertheless, keeping fresh tomatoes on the kitchen worktop before moving them to the fridge will help maintain their juiciness and flavour whilst also helping them stay fresh for five to seven days longer.