Tomatoes: Your Nutrient-Rich, Versatile Kitchen Hero

Whether you're making a chili or a rich Bolognese sauce, tomatoes are a key ingredient for adding depth, flavour, and volume to your dish. But with so many tomato products on the market, which should you reach for? Let's break it down.

On the Vine or Not: Does It Matter?

You've likely noticed tomatoes sold with the vine still attached in supermarkets. But does this make a difference to the flavour or freshness? In short, no. Tomatoes with their vine still attached are largely a marketing gimmick. Once the tomato is harvested, the vine no longer provides any nutrients or flavour enhancement. Whether on the vine or not, tomatoes sold in supermarkets are usually picked when partially green and ripened off the plant, meaning the vine adds little to the overall quality. So, don't feel compelled to buy tomatoes with their vines attached unless you enjoy the aesthetic—they won't taste any better than vine-less tomatoes...