Tag: Vine ripened

Contrary to popular belief, commercially sold vine tomatoes are often harvested at a partial stage of ripeness known as the 'breaker stage,' not fully ripened on the plant. This key harvesting distinction is what separates vine tomatoes from what are often called 'regular' tomatoes, impacting their flavor, texture, and best use in cooking.

According to a study published in the *Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science*, panelists could not consistently perceive a flavor difference between mature green tomatoes ripened off the vine and those ripened fully on the vine. This finding challenges the common assumption that vine tomatoes are inherently superior to regular, conventionally-ripened ones.