Choose tomatoes, buy the type with 5 or 6 small leaves around the stem, thin skin, thick flesh?
1. Choosing Tomatoes Based on the Number of Calyx Lobes:
Tomatoes typically have calyxes with 5 or 6 lobes.
Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Hạnh from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture states that the number of lobes does not affect fruit quality.
The Beef tomato variety, originating from Europe, usually has 6 lobes and is considered tastier due to its large, firm, low-seed, and thick-flesh characteristics.
However, when selecting tomatoes, it's more important to focus on color and shape rather than the number of lobes.
2. Identifying and Removing Chemicals from Artificially Ripened Tomatoes:
How to Identify Chemically Ripened Tomatoes:
Large, uniformly shiny red tomatoes without a calyx; they stay fresh for a long time without wilting or rotting.
Misshapen, unbalanced appearance with thick and hard skin, as the inside is still green, with little juice and lacking natural aroma.
When cooked, they produce watery, pale-colored juice and lack rich tomato flavor.
How to Remove Chemicals:
Soak tomatoes in diluted saltwater for 15–20 minutes, then rinse with clean water to remove surface chemicals.
Peel the skin before cooking to minimize exposure to harmful substances.
Proper selection and treatment of tomatoes help ensure food safety and quality.