Tomato

Growing

Determinate (bush) varieties crop all at once and suit preserving. Indeterminate (cordon) varieties crop over months and need side-shooting and support. Water consistently — irregular watering causes blossom end rot and splitting.

Buying and storing

Never refrigerate. Below about 12°C, the enzymes that produce tomato aroma shut down and do not recover. Keep them stem-side down on a counter.

Using

Ripe raw tomatoes want salt and time. Underripe tomatoes are better cooked, where the sugars concentrate.