Pick at Pink?

scottfsmith · July 23, 2008

I have noticed some comments in recent threads on "picking at pink" -- pick those tomatoes before they fully ripen. A few years ago I picked some early some late and compared and thought the latest-picked ones had a lot more flavor. (Note I was comparing vine-ripened vs counter-ripened, I did let the inside fruits ripen well). So I am always picking late, even if that means I am getting more cracked, etc fruit. Did I mislead myself?

Scott

PS for those who missed, here is one recent discussion: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=8939&page=2

PPS another: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=8657&page=9

Worth1 · July 23, 2008

I have had some tomatoes taste better when picked ripened on the vine such as cherries and some that had no difference what so ever with flavor when picked blushing as opposed to picked vine ripened.

This discussion goes on every year here and is a favorite topic in the winter while we have nothing better to talk about.

I for one have done a blind taste test and I feel this is the only way to judge tomatoes.

Then you should find at least 5 non smokers to do the test as us smokers have messed up tastes due to the filthy things.

The test should be done in the morning as soon as you get up with no coffee and no other food to eat.

take a small bite from a tomato and taste it then rinse your mouth out with good filtered water then try a bite from another tomato cut from the same spot and taste it.

I have found the tomatoes have different flavors depending on where you get to slice from.
The center most slice is my favorite place to taste a tomato.

Then and only then will get the results you are looking for.

Worth

Patapsco Mike · July 23, 2008

On the suggestion of many here, I started picking much earlier than I ever have in the past. Formerly, I always waited until each fruit was dead-ripe before picking. Very, very often this meant losing the tomato in the last day or two to ants, birds, raccoons, deer, rot, or whatever. Now I pick when each fruit is very close to fully colored, but not quite ripe. Maybe 2-4 days away from fully ripe.

I can say that despite picking a bit early, my tomatoes have been awesomely delicious, nearly unblemished, and I've only lost two to ants (which are the bane of my garden). Maybe they would be a hair tastier if left for a few more days, but I doubt it and I'm a convert to picking a bit early.

(BTW Scott, thanks for the budwood and some garlic will be coming your way shortly)

TZ-OH6 · July 23, 2008

Research taste tests generally pulp a whole fruit to avoid problems, seed gel tastes different from flesh etc.

I think that morning picked fruits taste better than hot picked afternoon fruits, both at room temperature. So there are factors other than if it was simply still attached to the plant.

scottfsmith · July 24, 2008

Thanks for the comments. It sounds like its "clear as mud"

I am going to start picking more tomatoes a touch early and do more comparisons. The experiments I did before were picked quite early, my kids picked the fruits too early so I let them ripen inside.

Scott

(Mike, glad to hear the wood made it; hope the heat didn't fry it!)

July 23, 2008	#1
scottfsmith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 53	Pick at Pink? I have noticed some comments in recent threads on "picking at pink" -- pick those tomatoes before they fully ripen. A few years ago I picked some early some late and compared and thought the latest-picked ones had a lot more flavor. (Note I was comparing vine-ripened vs counter-ripened, I did let the inside fruits ripen well). So I am always picking late, even if that means I am getting more cracked, etc fruit. Did I mislead myself? Scott PS for those who missed, here is one recent discussion: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=8939&page=2 PPS another: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=8657&page=9

July 23, 2008	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have had some tomatoes taste better when picked ripened on the vine such as cherries and some that had no difference what so ever with flavor when picked blushing as opposed to picked vine ripened. This discussion goes on every year here and is a favorite topic in the winter while we have nothing better to talk about. I for one have done a blind taste test and I feel this is the only way to judge tomatoes. Then you should find at least 5 non smokers to do the test as us smokers have messed up tastes due to the filthy things. The test should be done in the morning as soon as you get up with no coffee and no other food to eat. take a small bite from a tomato and taste it then rinse your mouth out with good filtered water then try a bite from another tomato cut from the same spot and taste it. I have found the tomatoes have different flavors depending on where you get to slice from. The center most slice is my favorite place to taste a tomato. Then and only then will get the results you are looking for. Worth

July 23, 2008	#3
Patapsco Mike Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 62	On the suggestion of many here, I started picking much earlier than I ever have in the past. Formerly, I always waited until each fruit was dead-ripe before picking. Very, very often this meant losing the tomato in the last day or two to ants, birds, raccoons, deer, rot, or whatever. Now I pick when each fruit is very close to fully colored, but not quite ripe. Maybe 2-4 days away from fully ripe. I can say that despite picking a bit early, my tomatoes have been awesomely delicious, nearly unblemished, and I've only lost two to ants (which are the bane of my garden). Maybe they would be a hair tastier if left for a few more days, but I doubt it and I'm a convert to picking a bit early. (BTW Scott, thanks for the budwood and some garlic will be coming your way shortly)

July 23, 2008	#4
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 848	Research taste tests generally pulp a whole fruit to avoid problems, seed gel tastes different from flesh etc. I think that morning picked fruits taste better than hot picked afternoon fruits, both at room temperature. So there are factors other than if it was simply still attached to the plant.

July 24, 2008	#5
scottfsmith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 53	Thanks for the comments. It sounds like its "clear as mud" I am going to start picking more tomatoes a touch early and do more comparisons. The experiments I did before were picked quite early, my kids picked the fruits too early so I let them ripen inside. Scott (Mike, glad to hear the wood made it; hope the heat didn't fry it!)