Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes -

6 July 2005

Tomato Tips  

* Although we tend to associate tomatoes with Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, thye're actually native to the Americas and were originally cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas around 700 AD.

* When choosing tomatoes, pick ones that are completely red but still firm.

* Ripe tomatoes should be used straight away. They are best stored at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, as cold temperatures can destroy their flavour. Ripe tomatoes can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, bring them to room temperature before serving.

* You can tell the age of a truss tomato (vine-ripened tomato) by the state of the caylx (green stem). If the caylx is green then so is the tomato.

* If you buy tomatoes on a truss, use the one closest to the broken end of the stalk first, then work your way down.

* There are more than 10,000 known varieties of tomatoes and it's the red pigment, lycopene, which makes them so good for you. Research shows that lycopene is an effective enti-oxidant and helps fightfree radicals in your body.

* Tomatoes are 90 per cent water and have a low glycaemic index (GI) so they release energy slowly.

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