Canned Tomatoes

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I noticed a massive difference in the taste of tinned tomatoes when we moved to Australia. I really found it hard to explain to people, though I did try, even on here but no one believed me! Even fresh are much better here, but the tinned are stunning.

These are the 2 we use.

 

[Elawin]

Yes - it does make a difference to buy the best. Although - it depends how I'm using them. Sometimes if I'm putting them in a curry I don't want a powerful tomato flavour to clash with the spices so I use a cheaper brand.

I've just spotted this new range of specialist tinned tomatoes at Ocado (on-line supermarket) which look very interesting and rather expensive - even at cut price!

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Blimey, they are dear.

Like you, I use cheaper brands in curries and other dishes that have a lot of flavour and liquid in them, and I have recently been converted to using sun-dried tomatoes in soups. I get dearer brands of tinned tomatoes if I am making something extra special, but have yet to try the Suma brands, some of which Riverford stock and which are supposed to be very good. The tomatoes are £1.20 a can, passata £1.95 a 690 g jar, and tomato puree £1.45 for 200 g. They are slightly cheaper from some other online sources or direct but then you have to pay delivery on top unless buying in bulk. Sainsbury's do some surprisingly cheap organic tomatoes (80p) a can, but judging by the reviews they are best used only in curries and stews.

 

[caseydog]

Blimey, they are dear.

Like you, I use cheaper brands in curries and other dishes that have a lot of flavour and liquid in them, and I have recently been converted to using sun-dried tomatoes in soups. I get dearer brands of tinned tomatoes if I am making something extra special, but have yet to try the Suma brands, some of which Riverford stock and which are supposed to be very good. The tomatoes are £1.20 a can, passata £1.95 a 690 g jar, and tomato puree £1.45 for 200 g. They are slightly cheaper from some other online sources or direct but then you have to pay delivery on top unless buying in bulk. Sainsbury's do some surprisingly cheap organic tomatoes (80p) a can, but judging by the reviews they are best used only in curries and stews.

It has been my experience that buying organic canned tomatoes does not mean you will get better flavor. With some foods, organic tastes better, but organic tomatoes may, or may not, taste better.

CD

 

[Elawin]

It has been my experience that buying organic canned tomatoes does not mean you will get better flavor. With some foods, organic tastes better, but organic tomatoes may, or may not, taste better.

CD

This particular brand of tomatoes has had many good reviews and, according to the Riverford website, they stock them specifically for the flavour. Riverford's own fresh tomatoes are gorgeous, not like many other organic tomatoes. The only ones I've had that come close are ones I grew myself and even they were from the seeds of a Riverford tomato. Riverford is a relatively small employee-owned company in the UK and only sell organic food from their own farms or from farms abroad that meet the strict requirements laid down by the Soil Association and other similar establishments in the UK. A lot of their requirements are stricter than those of the EU. They also take notice of customers' complaints and act swiftly. I trust their food, which is more than I can say for some of the so-called organic foods sold by supermarkets.

 

[caseydog]

This particular brand of tomatoes has had many good reviews and, according to the Riverford website, they stock them specifically for the flavour. Riverford's own fresh tomatoes are gorgeous, not like many other organic tomatoes. The only ones I've had that come close are ones I grew myself and even they were from the seeds of a Riverford tomato. Riverford is a relatively small employee-owned company in the UK and only sell organic food from their own farms or from farms abroad that meet the strict requirements laid down by the Soil Association and other similar establishments in the UK. A lot of their requirements are stricter than those of the EU. They also take notice of customers' complaints and act swiftly. I trust their food, which is more than I can say for some of the so-called organic foods sold by supermarkets.

The Kirkland brand of organic canned tomatoes sold at COSTCO are pretty average. Not bad, but not impressive, either. I haven't tried organic canned tomatoes from Whole Foods Market, AKA: Whole Paycheck Market stores.

CD

 

[Elawin]

The Kirkland brand of organic canned tomatoes sold at COSTCO are pretty average. Not bad, but not impressive, either. I haven't tried organic canned tomatoes from Whole Foods Market, AKA: Whole Paycheck Market stores.

CD

Costco used to be one of my wholesale suppliers when I had a shop but I never bought any food from there. We stopped going because they were more expensive than other suppliers we could get the same goods and equipment from, and the nearest store to us closed down leaving us with a significant journey to the next nearest one which has also closed down. There are now two other branches but still a trek. Now I've retired I could do without the hassle and prefer to shop locally or online.

 

[Wyshiepoo]

I think a lot depends on the meal you're cooking. I suspect that if it was a hearty stew or casserole with strong flavours
you would notice very little to no difference in the taste.
But in a much more 'delicate' dish it would be very noticeable.