Brits have been left blushing over a kitchen clanger – it turns out we've been storing tomatoes all wrong. Amidst its familiar flavour and run-of-the-mill stature, the humble tomato has sparked rows aplenty over the best method for keeping it fresher for longer. Past wrangles included whether this staple is a fruit or veg, but now there’s buzz that we're dulling down their zest by a slip-up in storage .
TikTok food guru Pete, better known by his handle Early Pete, has racked up an impressive 504,000 fans for his nifty nosh tips and dish demos. In a trending clip, he claims to "almost guarantee" that our tomatoes are tucked away in the incorrect spot, turning them unpalatably soft and grainy. "Tomatoes contain an enzyme that reacts with cold temperatures," Pete explained.
"This actually causes the cell membranes to break down, which creates a much less desirable, mushy and mealy tomato. In reality, to get the best-tasting tomato, you should store it at room temperature." Pete further suggested that if a tomato is on the brink of spoiling, it's alright to buy some time by chilling it, but urges that it’s best to let the fruit warm to room temperature before whipping it into any culinary concoction.
And it seems BBC Science gives the thumbs up to Pete's pronouncements. A 2016 study from the States discovered that chilling tomatoes over seven days diminished the gene action needed for forging substances that contribute to aroma and tang, those "volatiles" that endow tomatoe.