Does your grocery store refrigerate tomatoes?

[ms.yt]

Mine does, and it drives me crazy. We have one grocery store in our small town, and they've always refrigerated their tomatoes, which destroys what little flavor store bought tomatoes have. It burned down last May, and when it reopened in December, I was hoping they would have figured out not to do this. Well, I went there on opening day, and, of course, they have them in the refrigerated produce section. I even asked the produce lady if she wouldn't do refrigerate them, but she said that all of them except the on the vine ones come to her refrigerated. Of course, when I (very nicely) suggested that maybe those be put somewhere else, she looked at me like I was crazy. Maybe I am, but still, I'd like to have a tomato with some taste every once in awhile.

I know in the grand scheme of things this is very insignificant, but I just don't get it. It's something that's so simple to fix.

 

[palavra]

No, they are out in bins in the produce section. Refrigeration is a no-no for tomatoes.

 

[MM27]

In all the stores around here, tomatoes are out in the middle of the produce section. Not refrigerated.

 

[Christine]

I think it's pretty common knowledge that tomatoes should not be refrigerated until that absolutely have to (i.e., when they've been cut/sliced). I think refrigeration definitely ruins the flavor and changes the texture.

 

[tvguy]

I had never heard not to refrigerate tomatoes.

And if you Google it, you will find a difference of opinion on the issue between scientists and tomato eaters.

 

[java]

ew no fridge here either. I am in NJ and Jersey is tomato country. NO FRIDGE! If you can't get fresh canned are better than refrigerated.

"Refrigeration is the enemy of the tomato as it nullifies flavor and turns the flesh mealy. The culprit is a compound called Z-3 hexenel, which accounts for the tomato's scent and taste. The development process which turns tomato's linolenic acid to the Z-3 that makes our mouth and nose sing is hindered by cold. If you must refrigerate a tomato, take it out about an hour before using it to let it return to room temperature to revive any lurking Z-3. "

 

[bicker]

As long as people continue to buy refrigerated tomatoes, that grocery store is going to make out on the deal, since refrigerated tomatoes last longer, so they'll be able to cut their costs. I can't believe that people actually buy refrigerated tomatoes. Though it shouldn't surprise me. Some folks really don't care about the flavor of their vegetables. They douse them with enough salt, butter, dressing, etc., so that all you taste, in the end, is what you douse them with.

 

[njmom47]

ew no fridge here either. I am in NJ and Jersey is tomato country. NO FRIDGE! If you can't get fresh canned are better than refrigerated.

Agreed!

 

[castmemberb4]

I love fresh tomatoes and when they're too cold they are tasteless and mealy. It stinks that this store is your only source for tomatoes. I know it dosen't help in January but do you ever grow your own ?

 

[SandrA9810]

I've never seen them refrigerated before, not in any store I've been to. But I usually wind up tossing mine in the fridge at home a few days after I buy them so they last a bit longer.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nope and I have never seen them refrigerated before either.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

If it's the only store in a small town, they probably aren't turning a big profit. Refrigerating their tomatoes likely lets them order less often and order more tomatoes at a lower cost for bulk and reduces the amount of tomatoes they have to toss due to spoilage.

Just grow your own in pots inside the house for the flavor (unless you have pets. . .then I'd reccomend hanging pots) and let it go.

 

[mhsjax]

The one that I always shop at does not and none of the other one do either. However, as soon as I b ring them home, into the fridge they go. Yeah, I know you aren't supposed to refrigerate them, But I can't stand room temp tomatoes. YUCK. I hate mealy stuff, can't eat it, but I have never had a mealy tomato from it being in the fridge, maybe because we eat them too fast.