Which Tomato Do You Choose in the Supermarket?

How many times have you stood at the supermarket and wondered which of the many varieties of tomato do you choose from.

Who has time to research what tomatoes are the best for your meal? It makes it even harder when there are so many varieties. The following is a guide to help with which tomato to choose: 

• Sauces: Roma, heirloom, tomatoes on the vine

• Canning: Roma, heirloom, tomatoes on the vine, green tomatoes

• Salads: grape, cherry

• Skewers: cherry

• Sandwiches: beefsteak, tomatoes on the vine

• Fried: green tomatoes

• Snacks: grape, cherry, heirloom

At the supermarket -my rule of thumb is to put your nose to the test. The best way to nut out the sweetest tomatoes is to smell them. In the larger varieties, I prefer truss tomatoes. Smaller cherry tomato varieties are always the sweetest. My favourite is Sweet Solanato.

They should smell sweet and fruity.

The best way to check on the freshness of tomatoes is to pick them up and run your thumb over the tomato skin. If it’s firm and doesn’t separate from the flesh – it’s one to buy.

With the convenience that we have of being able to go shopping every day – only buy what you need for a couple of days and rather than put them in the refrigerator when you get home – put them in a bowl on the kitchen bench until you are ready to use them. They will not only ripen up nicely but they will gain flavour in the process.

If you are cooking them – don’t forget to add some sugar to bring out the richness in the flavour. I prefer brown sugar as it gives them a nice caramel taste.

If you have a spare pot on the patio or a sunny spot in the garden, plant tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are my favourite as they are such a great crop, taking only a short time to mature and fruit.