Why did the skin of my tomatoes fracture after a few days in a refrigerator?
I purchased a bunch of red tomatoes on a twig a few days ago, and put them in a plastic bag in my refrigerator.
When I opened the plastic bag five–six days later, all the bottoms of the tomatoes (bottom tertiles) had wide fractures in their skin. They had basically started to split.
They were a bit soft, but not that soft – my first rection was that maybe my fridge is a bit too cool.
The temperature in the fridge is around 5-6° C, and I kept the tomatoes close to the bottom shelf where vegetables go.
Is my refrigerator too cold, or was five-six days in a fridge too long to store tomatoes?
Note: I'm partially aware of the fact that tomatoes shouldn't really be stored in a fridge – but in room temperature – if I'm not mistaken!
Best Answer
Tomato Gardening Tips This site's gardening tip says that tomatoes splitting on the vine is due to a lack of water - the plant gets dried out and the skin doesn't retain the elasticity to contain new growth.
The refrigerator is typically a dehydrating environment. Could be that's your culprit.
But for pity's sake, store them on the counter where they stay their most delicious and you can see them and remember to eat them!
Pictures about "Why did the skin of my tomatoes fracture after a few days in a refrigerator?"
Why are my tomatoes cracking before they ripen?
Heavy rain, especially when preceded by dry weather, is the leading cause of fruit cracking and splitting in tomatoes. This type of damage is most likely to occur as tomatoes begin to ripen and you are anxiously anticipating harvest, though green fruit can be effected as well.What causes tomatoes to crack?
Cracking and splitting are one of the most common problems when growing tomatoes. The good news: those unsightly cracks aren't caused by pests or disease! Tomatoes split open when the fruit outpaces the growth of the skin \u2014 usually after a heavy rain.How do you stop tomatoes from cracking?
How to Prevent Tomatoes from SplittingIs it safe to eat tomatoes that have split?
A tomato that has split open can attract fruit flies, and develop fungus, mold, and bacteria inside. Skip the cracked tomatoes if you're doing any tomato canning. However, cutting around the cracks of a tomato and using the good parts in salads, sandwiches, salsas and sauces is perfectly fine.How Often To Water Tomato Plants-Gardening Advice
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