You’ve been storing your tomatoes all wrong – expert reveals why they should never go in the fridge

MANY people store their tomatoes in the fridge.

However, several experts revealed why you should never do that – whether they’re ripe or not.

GettyExperts shared the right way to store your tomatoes[/caption]

GettyStoring tomatoes in the fridge can cause their cell membrane to break down[/caption]

Food expert and deputy food editor at Martha Stewart Living, Gregory Lofts, revealed to Marthastewart.com why your tomatoes don’t belong in cool temperatures.

Apparently, when you store tomatoes in the fridge, the cool temperatures break down their cell membranes, leaving you with mushy, unappetizing fruit.

“You’re essentially zapping flavor and texture from a tomato when you refrigerate it,” Gregory said.

Gregory added that the tomatoes can absorb odors from within your fridge, negatively affecting both their quality and taste.

Instead of throwing them in your fridge, he said to leave the tomatoes out at room temperature, whether they’re ripe or not.

For tomatoes that you have cut into already, Meghan Splawn, former food editor for Kitchn’s Skills, recommended wrapping them and storing them in the fridge.

“The tomato will taste best if you can remove it from the fridge even 30 minutes before eating to bring it back to room temperature,” she said.

However, do not let the diced-up tomato sit for too long, as Meghan said leaving a tomato at room temperature that has already been cut into will cause it to dry out.

She also said that after a few days, the half-eaten tomatoes in the fridge should either be used or put in the freezer.

Senior culinary director for Serious Eats, Daniel Gritzer, said to store unripened tomatoes upside-down at room temperature to allow them to fully ripen.

Storing them stem-down will keep the tomatoes juicy and plump, and will avoid wrinkly skin.

As for storing milk in your fridge, an expert shared to keep it on the middle shelf where it’s coldest, rather than on the door.

GettyTomatoes can absorb odors from your fridge, affecting both their quality and taste[/caption]

GettyStoring tomatoes stem-down will keep them plump[/caption]