Which a red fruit that can be eaten in its raw form or even be used to make stews? You got it right. Tomato. The tomato plant species originated from South America and was first used as food in Mexico.It is used to make kitchen salads and when mixed with onion chopping(in Kenya, it is known as kachumabri)it is used as a dish complement . It is the eight most valuable Agricultural production with China is the is the largest producer (FAOSTAT, 2012) .Tomatoes can also be converted into the following products through value addition;
Tomato puree and paste.
This is concentrated tomato juice free of skin and seeds. It contains 33% of tomato solids.
Juice.
This can be made by juicing, blending or milling depending on the thickness desired. This is because tomatoes contain seeds.
Tomato cocktail.
It is prepared by adding spices including chillies, cloves, cardamom, coriander along with vinegar and common salt to the tomato juice. Lemon or lime juice may also be added . It contains 35% tomato solid.
Ketchup and sauce.
This is concentrated tomato juice or pulp without seeds or skin with added spices , salt, vinegar, onion and garlic depending on the flavour to be achieved. It contains 28% solids.The sauce is thinner in consistency.
Tomato soup. This is prepared by frying onions and simply adding tomatoes and other flavourings.
Value addition is important as it increases the shelf life of the tomato product. Also the packaging should be done in the proper manner to ensure safety and easier handling and marketing of the final products.
For those interested in tomato farming, here is a video featuring a farmer who has a tomato farm. Courtesy of K24.
All the made products should be packaged well for hygiene purposes.See : Food Packaging.
Colour your food red, with tomatoes. Tasty and colourful.
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| A tomato fruit which is used as a vegetable |
Tomato puree and paste.
This is concentrated tomato juice free of skin and seeds. It contains 33% of tomato solids.
Juice.
This can be made by juicing, blending or milling depending on the thickness desired. This is because tomatoes contain seeds.
 |
| Tomato juice |
Tomato cocktail.
It is prepared by adding spices including chillies, cloves, cardamom, coriander along with vinegar and common salt to the tomato juice. Lemon or lime juice may also be added . It contains 35% tomato solid.
Ketchup and sauce.
This is concentrated tomato juice or pulp without seeds or skin with added spices , salt, vinegar, onion and garlic depending on the flavour to be achieved. It contains 28% solids.The sauce is thinner in consistency.
 |
| Tomato sauce. Courtesy of foodviva.com |
Tomato soup. This is prepared by frying onions and simply adding tomatoes and other flavourings.
Value addition is important as it increases the shelf life of the tomato product. Also the packaging should be done in the proper manner to ensure safety and easier handling and marketing of the final products.
For those interested in tomato farming, here is a video featuring a farmer who has a tomato farm. Courtesy of K24.
All the made products should be packaged well for hygiene purposes.See : Food Packaging.
Colour your food red, with tomatoes. Tasty and colourful.
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