So which tastiestisthe tin of toms?
With 82 varieties on the shelves a star chef tried them all and no, the priciest ISN'T top of the crop by ALDO ZILLI
HuNDreDS of people gathered in Warwickshire last week for the 21st annual conference of British tomato-growers.
Being Italian- born, I have to admit I much prefer tomatoes grown in my home country. Indeed, I’m addicted to tomatoes.
As an Italian, inevitably some of my earliest memories feature tomatoes. I was the youngest child of nine, growing up in the Abruzzo region, and like most families, we grew our own.
Sometimes, however, it’s just easier to buy them in a tin.
Or is it? These days, supermarket shelves are brimming with some 82 varieties of them. Tesco alone sells a whopping 26 types of tinned tomato.
My tips? When shopping, never go for the cheapest. Instead (with apologies to the British Tomato Growers’ Association!), I suggest you choose those that contain Italian tomatoes. That way, you’re not skimping on quality.
experience tells me that supermarkets’ own-brands are often little more than tins of reddish water. And don’t waste money on cans with added herbs. They are just an excuse for manufacturers to overcharge.
Take my word for it. I’ve tasted every tin of tomatoes so you don’t have to. Here are the ones to look out for ...
TESCO
Finest Good but Cherry they’ve Tomatoes, left the £1 skin on. Not the finest. Everyday Value Plum Tomatoes, 30p The tin was only two-thirds full, the rest was air. Grower’s Harvest Chopped Tomatoes, 29p So watery it even looks bland. There’s no flavour. Italian Chopped Tomatoes, 35p Good — lots of taste, but pips will get stuck in your teeth. WINNER: East End Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 40p Lots of tomatoes and they’re delicious, too.
ASDA
Chopped Tomatoes with Herbs, 39p So disgusting I had to spit them out. I can’t describe the horrible taste. Chopped Tomatoes with Garlic, 55p Full of water, not much tomato and you can’t taste the garlic. Wouldn’t even use them for a Bloody Mary. Extra Special Pomodorini Cherry Tomatoes, £1 From southern Italy so should be sweet, but are a bit acidic. Smartprice Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 29p Watery with no taste. Cheap and not even worth 29p. WINNER: Asda Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 35p unusually bitter but would taste Ok grilled.
SAINSBURY’S
SO Organic Italian Organic Chopped Tomatoes, 80p Don’t taste like tomatoes — woody and processed. Taste the Difference Peeled Italian Pomodorini Cherry Tomatoes, 80p Quite bitter but at least they’ve removed the skin. Basics Italian Plum Tomatoes, 30p Slogan is ‘a little bit of peel, a whole lot of taste’ and that’s true. Italian Chopped Tomatoes with Herbs, 30p Sweet, but not in the right way — due to added sugar. WINNER: By Sainsbury’s Italian Plum Tomatoes, 40p Yum — succulent tomatoes with a dense sauce.
WAITROSE
Duchy Organic Chopped Tomatoes, 89p Chunks are big, ripe and sweet and wouldn’t need added sugar. Rich & Tangy chopped Italian Tomatoes with Sliced Olives, 65p Smells dreadful as olive overwhelms the tomato. Wouldn’t even put it on a pizza. Sweet & Vibrant Peeled Italian Cherry Tomatoes, 65p Bitter and full of pips. At least they’re peeled. Essential Chopped Tomatoes, 32p A lot of tomatoes bursting out of this little tin and they taste good. WINNER: Duchy Organic Plum Tomatoes, 84p Nice, plump, juicy tomatoes, with right amount of thick juice. A taste of summer.
M&S
M&S Italian Cherry Tomatoes, £1 Left the skin on to save on money. Lets product down. Simply M&S Chopped Italian Tomatoes, 39p Bland tomatoes in a tin that’s full of water. WINNER: M&S Italian Plum Tomatoes, 35p Can’t believe they do quality tomatoes at the price.
CO-OP
Globe Chopped Tomatoes, 34p Bitter and horrible. Suma Organic Peeled Tomatoes, £1.05 Left the cores in — they don’t cook down. Italian Chopped Tomatoes, 55p The word Italian on the packaging is the only good thing about it! Quite dull. Italian Chopped Tomatoes with Herbs, 65p Terrible product. Herbs are dried, horrible and totally overpower the tomatoes. Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 55p Watery and insipid. WINNER: None
MORRISONS
Italian Chopped Tomatoes, 35p Not bad at the price. Italian Plum Tomatoes, 40p Good product — thick, rich and lots of tomato. The Best Italian Cherry Tomatoes, £1 Left the skin on. Not useful The Best Italian Chopped Tomatoes with Mediterranean Vegetables, £1 Disastrous — sweet with a high added sugar content. WINNER: The Best Italian Chopped Tomatoes, £1 Worth the extra money — full of tasty chunks.
LIDL
Freshona with Sweet Basil, and Chopped 35p sugary. Tomatoes Freshona with Herbs, Chopped 35p Tomatoes Herbs surprisingly add to the taste of the tomatoes. Freshona Chopped Tomatoes with Onion and Garlic, 35p Both the onion and garlic are subtle. It works. WINNER: Freshona Chopped Tomatoes — Arrabiata, 35p For a nice arrabiata just add basil, olive oil and penne.
ALDI
Everyday Tomatoes, Essentials 29p Chopped Watery and tasteless. Sweet Harvest Peel Plum Tomatoes, 35p Fine can for the price. Sweet Harvest Chunky Chopped Tomatoes, 35p Good value for money. WINNER: Everyday Essentials Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 29p Nice, big, plump tomatoes with good flavour.