Do you eat cracked tomatoes? Sometimes it can be a bit of a gamble

Are you enjoying the summer? Of course you are. It’s lovely in the garden. And when you can pick a few vegetables to eat, it’s perfect. Tomatoes, in particular, are ripening right now. A sweet tomato from your own garden is undoubtedly well worth it. However, many of them crack simply due to temperature changes and relatively strong sunlight. Eating tomatoes like this is often not ideal. So when can they be eaten and when not, and why do the tomatoes crack in the first place?

Tomatoes cracking is quite common

That’s right. We could list several reasons. The problem of tomatoes cracking, however, starts with their skin. It is quite thin and elastic. As a result, it absorbs water very slowly. If there is heavy rainfall, the fruit naturally swells gradually. The skin cannot prevent this, as it isn’t designed to cope with such a rapid increase in the tomato’s mass. It simply cannot adapt to the expansion and, understandably, ends up bursting.

Photo: Radek Stepan

It’s best to check your crop regularly

Of course. You should mainly check whether the tomatoes are properly ripe, a lovely red colour and not becoming mushy. Tomatoes that are very soft are no longer fit for consumption. If a tomato is ripe, it must be picked from the bed almost immediately.

Tip: Encourage the ripening of tomatoes. This method, used by experienced gardeners, will help.

Not all cracks are the same

That’s right; some cracked tomatoes can be eaten without any problem. Others, on the other hand, are definitely not recommended for consumption. So what’s the reality?

There’s no need to worry about fresh cracks

Exactly. If they’re just fine white or slightly yellowish cracks, there’s nothing to worry about. They’re essentially fresh, and since they formed, no dust, mould or organisms that could harm humans have settled in them.

Older cracks of a different colour can be a cause for concern

This is because they often harbour various moulds and microorganisms. In most cases, it’s not even possible to wash such cracks out, which is usually a sign that it’s simply better to throw the tomato away.

Sources: Author

Cracked tomatoes: Preview photo and gallery by Radek Stepan