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Tomatoes are something of a passion of mine. The problems are exactly what you describe, with ensuring that transport will not ruin the fruit. Another facet is
by koliber 10y ago
Tomatoes are something of a passion of mine.
The problems are exactly what you describe, with ensuring that transport will not ruin the fruit. Another facet is not only that the tomatoes are picked unripe, but also that the varieties that are grown are ones which optimize for being able to withstand long transport times as well as for uniformity. Consumers as a group like uniform, smooth, red-colored tomatoes, and they like them year round. Flavor, aroma, and texture are sacrificed.
I can pick unripe tomatoes from my vine just as they are turning light green. They will ripen in the sun and will have a lot of flavor (although maybe less sweetness). Picking them green is not 100% of the picture. The types of tomatoes grown plays a big part.
If you have a chance, buy some heirloom varieties from a local food market or a farmer.
- collyw 10y agoI don't seem to remember having a great choice in the UK. Either tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes. Here in Spain you usually have at least 4 varieties in the supermarkets, often many more.
- Symbiote 10y agoAmber, rosso, beefsteak, plum, cherry, orange rapture, San Marzano, Cheribelle, piccolo, sugardrop, temptation. Hopefully that's enough for anyone! http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/grocery-categories/Tomatoes_in_Tesco.html http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/grocery-categories/Tomatoes_i...
- amelius 10y agoWhat I'm wondering about is when the tomatoes are picked, can't we artificially let the tomato think it is still on the plant? E.g., by applying nutrients through the stem, and using artificial lighting? Or why don't we ship the whole plant? :)
- vlod 10y ago> Or why don't we ship the whole plant? :) Unfortunately all the tomatoes don't come out at the same time.
- khedoros 10y ago> Or why don't we ship the whole plant? :) Ship the whole plant...and then send it back to grow more tomatoes? I'm not sure about production-scale tomato farming, but in my garden, the same tomato plant will continue to grow fruit, and you don't want to uproot it just for the fruit currently on it.
- amelius 10y agoOkay I didn't know that. But surely, there will be some customers willing to pay for ripe "Italian" tomatoes, I suppose (?)
- khedoros 10y agoI suppose so. The next question is economics: Are there enough customers that a company could import the plants and be able to offer them for a price the customers want to pay and that gives them enough profit to make it worthwhile? If no one's doing that and there's a sufficient market, that sounds like a good new business to look into.
- slfnflctd 10y agoHeirloom varieties have unique characteristics which vary widely, and are definitely more difficult to grow than the mainstream hybrids (as well as often lower yielding per square meter). People who grow good ones should be rewarded, they're worth seeking out.
- macca321 10y agoWhat is this sun you speak of? /UK