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Tomatoes have a wide variety of uses for cooking. They also make good snacks from time to time. But just like other vegetables, tomatoes are only good to eat for a particular period. Once this period passes, tomatoes will go bad, and you’ll have to dispose of them. So, say you have some tomatoes, and they look…awkward. You are trying to figure out if they are still fresh, but you are not sure. Here’s a guide that could help you figure it out. In this article, we will talk about the ways you can spot a bad tomato, how to keep tomatoes fresh, and some other related questions.
How Long Do Tomatoes Usually Last Once You Buy Them From the Store?The duration for which a tomato stays fresh depends on a few factors. a couple of these factors include when it was harvested and when it was purchased. Now, let’s see how long some types of tomatoes last when stored at room temperature and when stored in the refrigerator.
Here are some signs to look for when checking if a tomato is bad:
What Does It Look Like on the Inside?Sometimes the signs of a bad tomato are not always evident on the outside, and you might not know until you take it home from the store. Once you slice open the tomato, this is how you know it’s bad:
Is a Wrinkled Tomato Bad?Wrinkled tomatoes are not bad. The wrinkling of the tomato tells you that the skin is getting tougher as it ages. As long as you don’t perceive any odor, see any signs of mold, or the tomato getting rotten, then it is safe to eat. The wrinkling of the tomato is just a sign of dehydration. As all the liquid in the tomato reduces, the outer surface starts to wrinkle. The tomatoes may look ugly, but they are still safe to eat. Ways to Make Your Tomatoes Last LongerHere are some tips for storing tomatoes that will help make your tomatoes last longer.
The pickling liquid is made up of vinegar, water, and salt. If need be, you may add sugar and some other spices.
3 Things That Cause a Tomato to Go Bad More QuicklyTomatoes, when stored properly, usually last a while. But under certain conditions, they may go bad faster than you expect. Here are some reasons your stored tomatoes may go bad more quickly:
Final ThoughtsIf you think a tomato is spoiled or rotten, please discard it. Consuming bad tomatoes can cause serious illness. So, when you are unsure of the quality of what you have, discarding them is the safest way to go. Resources
What are 3 things you should look for when choosing a tomato?Juicier tomatoes are denser, while unripe tomatoes feel a little too light. Touch is also a good way to test heirloom tomatoes, which can be purple, lumpy, tiny or green even when ripe. Finally, test the tomato for its scent. Smell the tomato up by the stem; it should have a strong, sweet, earthy odor.
How do you tell if a tomato has gone bad?Take a look.
Tomatoes should have taught, blemish-free skin. If there's a bruised spot or two, it's OK to cut around them and enjoy the rest of the tomato (maybe turn it into a nice tomato sauce), but if the entire fruit is pocked with spots, it's best to move on.
What does a good tomato look like inside?The seeds also turn beige or off white color when they are ripe. So, a green interior may be green seeds. In other words, the tomato may not be ripe yet. This is the simplest explanation when a tomato is red but green inside; the tomato isn't ripe inside.
How long before tomatoes goes bad?A ripe tomato can stay fresh in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
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