Food - Drink
For That Fresh Tomato Flavor, Look For This Type Of Canned Tomato
By SHAYE GLISSON
What type of tomato do you use to jazz up your dinner? When fresh tomatoes aren't available, turn to canned tomatoes; there are chopped, stewed, whole, and puréed canned tomatoes, each with a unique flavor and texture to recipes, but which canned tomato should you use to create the freshest, most rich taste?
Both canned and fresh tomatoes are nutritious and contain an essential plant compound called lycopene, reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium and one cup of raw tomatoes contains 32 calories, 2.2 grams of fiber, 427 milligrams of potassium, and 1,499 IU of vitamin A.
For the freshest flavor, use whole peeled canned tomatoes since they are packed in tomato juice or purée, and some also have calcium chloride, a firming agent that helps the tomatoes retain their shape during cooking. Food packers also save their most vibrant, ripe tomatoes for whole, diced, and crushed canned tomatoes.