Tomato Growing Thread 2022

It's coming back, slowly, thanks, but not so that I can catch the subtleties between tomato flavours.

 

I'm not sure I can anyway, some taste better than others, but a lot seems to depend upon the state of ripeness and the growing conditions.
Not many taste that different to me to be honest.
Must be all those cigars I used to smoke.

 

Hello all,

My 5kg of cherry tomatoes are now dehydrated. It took approximately 40 hours, though the smaller tomatoes were finished quicker than this. It's amazing how much less space they take when dehydrated. I have taken a picture of the dehydrated tomatoes in jars to illustrate this. I suppose it makes sense when a tomato is 96% water!


5kg of dehydrated tomatoes!

Best regards

Ademission

 

Loofah,

Not in this case. I'm told that if oil is used, the shelf life is short (2 weeks or so).
While dried, the shelf life is much longer (about 1 year). My intention is to throw a few into stews, bologneses, chilis etc in the winter months. They should reconstitute in boiling liquid. My wife has been eating a few like sweets as she loves tomatoes.
Still early days so I will keep you informed.

Chilis next.

Ademission

 

Do you put silica gel in with them.

 

Pete,

Yes, I put a small bag of Silica Gel in each bottle. Apparently you have to get the "Food Safe" type. This is clearly stated on the Amazon listing. I bought 100 x 5g bags for about £6 if I'm not mistaken. Should last a while!

Regards

Ademission

 

And there was me thinking it was a joke, I didn't know they did food safe stuff.

 

Pete,

Belt and braces. It's a lot of effort wasted if the whole jar goes mouldy.

Ademission

 

We are producing a few Tom's by now and simply freezing them for Winter cooking, BUT I'm still amazed at the sheer quantity of fruit that you are growing!! I'm expecting a knock at the door and a visit from the Tom police, with plastic bags to remove Tom seeds (ready for next year) Perhaps I shouldn't visit here and allow my self worth as a gardener to be worn away! NO it's not a criticism, I really admire you super growers!!

 

Today's harvest including the first Brad's Atomic Grape. I was expecting them to look more elongated, like the Blush, but apparently they can be variable in shape as well as colour.

 

I've filled 3 litres of ice cream cartons with my dehydrated toms so far, not quite as much as Jwk by the looks of things! About another litres worth of dried whole chillis

 

Amazing produce!! So here's a couple of days from 3 varieties, and one chili. Normal?? Or really pathetic??