Author: Gerardo Gonzalez

Lycopene also lowers cholesterol absorption in the intestines and improves the functioning of HDL (good) cholesterol in the body ( 36 , 38 ). Additionally, the carotenoids in tomatoes may help lower blood pressure. Does Tomato Soup raise your blood pressure? Canned tomato products Most canned tomato sauces, pasta sauces, and tomato juices are high […]

All types of tomatoes can be preserved by freezing, drying or canning, but some preservation methods work best with specific types. Variations in the amounts of flesh, juice and gel in different types of tomatoes affect how they are best preserved. Can You can any kind of tomatoes? Some say the best tomato canning tomato […]

Almost any tomato can be canned, but meaty types such as Brandywine, Beefsteak, Big Red and Roma varieties are preferred. Storage: The jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 18 months. What do I do with beefsteak tomatoes? Here are our favorite ways to salvage bruised tomatoes: Tomato Sauce. Boil […]

Once the tomatoes are juiced, bring the juice to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil for 10 minutes. The juice can be cooked as long as desired to condense and cook off any excess water. Once cooked, remove from the heat and pour into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Do you have […]

Vitamins and Minerals The V8 juice is a better source of vitamins A and C, while the tomato juice is a better source of potassium and iron. A 1-cup serving of V8 juice contains 72 mg of vitamin C, 2,000 IU of vitamin A, 0.73 mg of iron and 469 mg of potassium. Is V8 […]

Mature black cherry tomatoes measure about 1.5 inches. You can start growing black cherry tomato seedlings indoors or outdoors. But, to be on the safe side, it is better to start them indoors. More so when the forecast shows a likelihood of frost. How do you know when a black tomato is ripe? As they […]

Flour, cornstarch and arrowroot are three potential thickening agents for your tomato juice. All three of these work best as a slurry, which you make by blending equal amounts of the thickening agent with cold water. Once mixed, slowly stir your slurry into your boiling, already seasoned, tomato juice. How do you make tomato juice […]

Several cultivars are green on the inside, the outside, or both. ‘Cherokee Green’, ‘Green Zebra’, and some of the black tomatoes have green inside. Perfectly safe to eat. Maybe you’re comparing green tomatoes to the green skin or flesh of potatoes, related plants, that have been exposed to light. What does it mean if my […]

Paste tomatoes, often called Romas (Roma tomatoes are a type of paste tomato), are tomatoes specifically grown for making pastes, but they are good for sauces, sun-drying, and even stuffing. Some home gardeners explicitly make space for several paste tomato plants, while others never grow them at all. Are Roma tomatoes considered paste tomatoes? Paste […]

Separation in canned tomato products is not unsafe. It merely reflects the action of enzymes in tomatoes that have been cut and allowed to sit at room temperature. The enzymes that naturally occur will begin to break down pectin in the tomatoes. What causes homemade tomato juice to separate? During storage, pulp and juice in […]

Tomato juice sold in the refrigerated section of the supermarket lasts around three to five days, while homemade tomato juice is good for about two to three days. Frozen tomato juice can still be good anywhere from eight months to a year. How long can you keep homemade tomato juice? 2-3 daysIf you are making […]

There are lots of options for the Best Mulch for Tomatoes and Peppers, you can use fine wood mulch, compost, grass clippings, paper mulch, fabric, straw, leaves or newspaper. We think the best mulches are grass clippings or good compost as they help feed the soil. Mulching can prevent a lot of problems in the […]

Cherokee Purple. Cherokee Purple seeds, originating from Tennessee, are thought to have been passed down from Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe. This heirloom tomato variety consistently ranks very high in taste tests. Slice Cherokee Purple tomato for rich, dark color and unmatched sweet, rich taste on sandwiches or in salads. What are purple heirloom […]

Purple tomatoes have been developed by inserting two genes from snapdragon, a flower, in tomatoes to grow purple tomatoes that have health protecting anthocyanins. Is purple tomato GMO? The tomatoes are genetically modified, designed by researchers at the UK’s John Innes Centre to be packed with anthocyanins, the purple pigment that gives blueberries their hue, […]

Plum or Roma tomatoes are best for purée because they are generally grown for preserving. Paste, oven-dried tomatoes, and sauce are all made from these varieties — they are low in water content and rich in flavor. Which is better tomato paste or puree? Tomato paste has a richer taste than tomato purée due to […]

Large, thickly fleshed beefsteaks are the biggest type of tomatoes, weighing 1 pound or more. Growing quickly to at least 6 feet tall, the late-maturing tomato plant will produce a bountiful harvest in about 85 days. It needs a sturdy cage, trellis, or stake to support its fruit. Do big beef tomatoes need to be […]

Tomatoes love well-draining and loose soil. While growing them in pots, avoid using clay or garden soil as they are heavy. Mix sand, peat moss, or sawdust to make it appropriate for the plant. What is the best potting mix for tomatoes in containers? BEST OVERALL: FoxFarm Ocean Forest FX14000 Organic Potting Soil. BEST VALUE: […]

Pruning Better Boy Tomatoes To direct the plant’s energy into its one or two main stems, remove suckers. Trim off early buds to encourage strong growth and plentiful fruit production. Near the end of summer, trim off the tip of the plant to divert energy into the last remaining fruits. Should I prune my Big […]

It is also recommended to stake your tomato plants instead of caging them, and space them appropriately. This way, the space will make it slightly more difficult for diseases to spread quickly, and the airflow will keep the plants dry. How do you protect tomatoes from diseases? Health and Hygiene Minimize Irrigation. Tomato plants have […]

red. Most tomatoes are red when they are ripe, because of the presence of lycopene, which is a phytochemical (a biologically active compound produced by plants). Immature tomatoes are rich in chlorophyll, another phytochemical, which gives them their green colour. What does a ripe tomato look like? Your ripe tomato will give slightly to the […]