I can't believe I've only just discovered these 'secret' tips for storing tomatoes – and I'm rearranging my kitchen immediately

Tomatoes are one of my favorite ingredients, both to eat fresh and to cook with. This amazingly versatile fruit varies in color as well as flavor profile, all while contributing to your five-a-day.

Knowing how to store tomatoes correctly is a vital part of maintaining their fresh flavor, and I've just realized that I've been storing mine all wrong. It's so disappointing when I go to make a summer salad and find out that my key ingredients have spoiled.

I love using tomatoes to make a fresh pasta sauce, cooking them on the vine in a cherry tomato and basil oil focaccia or making them a hero ingredient in a tomato salad.

So, I asked fruit and vegetable growing experts for their tips and tricks to help keep my tomatoes in prime condition, ready for my next recipe. Here's what they had to suggest.

How to store tomatoes

If, like me, you're growing tomatoes, you may end up with an abundant crop of delicious fruit you want to save up for future recipes. Our gardening team has recommended the best tomatoes for growing in pots, if you're interested in starting to grow your own, but the same rules apply for how to store tomatoes, even if you've bough them from the grocery store or farmers' market.

1. Store tomatoes at the correct temperature

Depending on their ripeness, storing tomatoes at the correct temperature will help to maintain their juiciness and skin texture. A green unripe tomato requires different storage to one that's ready to eat, for example.

Jenny Halpin, senior manager at NatureSweet tomatoes, says, 'If your tomatoes are still ripening, we suggest storing them at room temperature. Once ripe they can be placed in the fridge if you live in a particularly warm environment, though some people believe this can alter the flavor and texture. For this reason, we generally recommend avoiding the refrigerator for storing tomatoes.'

If you place your unripe tomatoes at room temperature in a paper bag – I like these great value self-standing lunch bags from Walmart – it will help to speed up the ripening process. This is because the bag traps in ethylene gas, which is naturally released from tomatoes during ripening. This, combined with the dark environment, will hurry the process along.

2. Store tomatoes in breathable containers

Stacking storage containers in a fridge or pantry is a great way to optimize space and create an aesthetically pleasing look, but I recently discovered that doing this will actually work against you when it comes to keeping tomatoes fresh for longer.

Tomatoes are best stored in breathable containers kept in a single layer, so that any perforation holes aren't obstructed. If tomatoes are stored in completely airtight tupperware, they will go off faster, turning mushy and making it harder to harvest tomato seeds if you wish to plant a new crop.

'Using breathable containers such as open bowls, ventilated crates, or simply resting your tomatoes out in the open on paper towels is the best way to keep them fresh, as these storage methods prevent moisture from getting trapped,' says Jenny.

Investing in some Mesh produce storage bags available on Amazon, as I just have, will keep your tomatoes together while still allowing them to breathe.

3. Store tomatoes stem side down

Until now, I wasn't aware that the position that you store your tomatoes would make a difference, but it truly does.

Jessica Mercer PhD, a plant expert at Plant Addicts who sells many varieties of tomatoes, says, 'Storing your tomatoes with the stem facing down will help to slow moisture loss and block airborne mold spores forming. This keeps your tomatoes plumper and juicer for several days longer.'

Alternatively, you can stick a small piece of tape – I'm trying this Unves garden tape from Amazon – over each tomato stem before storing them away. This can then be removed when it's time to eat your tomato.

4. Store tomatoes out of direct sunlight

I've always thought that it's good to store your tomatoes in a sunny spot, and it is an effective way to help green fruits to ripen. However, it's best to store ripe tomatoes out of direct sunlight to prevent them from scorching and spoiling.

Reese L. Robbins, plant expert and founder of Just Pure Gardening, says, 'Tomatoes should always be stored away from direct sunlight (ripe or ripening). Too much heat will make them overripen and soften too quickly.'

Stick to open areas of the home that aren't in direct sunlight, and never sit your tomatoes on the windowsill if it's a particularly intense sun trap.

5. Store tomatoes on their own

If you know when to plant tomatoes, you likely get a good harvest in the summer months, which you'll need to find somewhere to store. If, like me, you're looking to save space in a smaller kitchen, or create an attractive seasonal display on your countertop by combining your fruits and vegetables together in baskets, think again. Doing so can be bad for tomatoes, impacting their ripening cycle.

'Storing tomatoes together with certain fruits and vegetables can ripen tomatoes quicker than usual, which you may not want,' says Jenny. 'Cucumbers, for instance, are a commonly chosen storage companion for tomatoes. The ethylene gas which cucumbers naturally release as they ripen will also ripen your tomatoes.'

If you're now left with far too many ripe ones to use, the experts at StopFoodWaste recommend making your tomatoes into sauce. This is far easier to preserve and can even be frozen for later recipes. I like to whizz them up in one of the best blenders and replace the passata in this quick tomato sauce recipe with my own freshly made one.

Tomato storage FAQs

How do I store sliced tomatoes?

Sliced tomatoes should always be stored in the fridge to stay at their freshest. Otherwise they will lose moisture incredibly fast and attract bacteria.

'Once sliced, tomatoes should be placed cut-side down in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator,' says Reese. 'This prevents bacterial growth and preserves freshness. Use within 1–2 days for best texture.'

Should I wash my tomatoes before storing them?

It's best to wash any produce before putting it away to remove any dirt or bacteria, though it's vital to thoroughly dry your tomatoes before storing them to prevent premature rotting.

'If tomatoes are dirty and you do need to wash them, dry thoroughly before storing,' says Reese. 'Otherwise, I recommend washing your tomatoes just before you eat or use them to avoid any potential risk of mold from increased moisture.'

Now you know how to store tomotoes, why not consider growing tomatoes of your own? There's nothing like the satisfaction of cooking something with your own produce, though be wary of tomato growing mistakes to avoid.