As a novitiate cook and vegetable nurseryman , I ’ve had my bonny ploughshare of experience with rotten tomato plant . Nothing ’s worse than thirstily slicing into a tomato only to find a mushy , moldy mickle inside .
But tomato plant do n’t always spread when they ’ve go regretful . Sometimes it can be tricky to discern whether that tomato in your fridge or garden is still o.k. to eat .
In this article , I ’ll explain the telling mansion that a love apple has fluff I ’ll go over
allow ’s dive in so you could learn how to deflect stinky Lycopersicon esculentum !
How To Visually Identify A Rotten Tomato
Here are the main ocular cues that a tomato has gone regretful
confide your instincts – an “ off ” depend tomato is probably compromise . When in dubiousness , fuddle it out . And here ’s a nugget of garden - fresh wiseness from my papa : “ The only thing worse than find a worm in your tomato is regain half a worm in your tomato . ” Keep those eye peeled for any unexpected protein sources in your garden - fresh kickshaw !
Smell And Texture Are Key For Hidden Rot
Sometimes rot and mold start inside a tomato with no outer foretoken . break these indicator :
Smell – Sniff near the stem closing and bloom ends . Rancid , fermented or sour feel intend intragroup spoilage .
Texture – Press the tomato plant gently . bathetic , very soft spot likely harbor hidden decomposition .
Appearance inside – foreshorten open defendant tomatoes . Black or brown pulp and slime are problems .
Taste – Safe tomato taste acidulent , sweet / sporting lady . Foul , bitter , or “ off ” flavors indicate spoilage .
Trust all your senses ! Even one “ spoiled ” indicant means to discard the tomato .
Dangers Of Eating Rotten Tomatoes
It ’s risky to eat decompose tomatoes , as they hold back bug that can induce food poisoning :
When tomatoes show any signs of spoiling , do n’t run through them raw . Cooking bad tomatoes can further melt off pathogen but is n’t advocate . Just cast away them .
Proper Storage Precautions
To decelerate spoiling , handle tomatoes with care :
With careful handling , ripe tomatoes by and large last 1 - 2 weeks and can intersection stay safe for year .
What Causes Rapid Tomato Spoilage?
Tomatoes are prostrate to quick spoil for several reasons :
manage your tomatoes with care to maximise their shelf life and avert wastefulness !
When To Toss Tomatoes Growing In Your Garden
It ’s disheartening to nurture garden tomatoes only to have some spoil before harvest . face for these signs a tomato plant is produce tough yield :
The good prevention is produce disease - tolerant varieties properly . But even then , some tomatoes will show signs of rot . Just pluck those promptly to avoid contaminating others .
