Are vine-ripened tomatoes really ripened on the vine?

Question: Are vine-ripened tomatoes really ripened on the vine?

Are vine-ripened tomatoes really ripened on the vine?

Answer: Vine-ripened does not mean they were picked when in full color, as one might assume. It simply means they were left on the vine a tad longer, only long enough to show a minute changing of green to color (known as Stage 2 -- often not even enough to be considered a blush!) at the blossom end.

If you're paying more for vine-ripened, you're not getting much better than those picked when fully green.

More about Tomatoes:
• Tomato History
• Tomato Lore and Legends
• Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? FAQ
• Vine-ripened Tomatoes FAQ
• Tomato Selection and Storage
• Commercially-Grown and Hydroponic Tomatoes
• Are there male and female tomatoes? FAQ
• Tomatoes and Health
• Tomato Cooking Tips and Hints
• Tomato Equivalents and Substitutions
• Tomato Recipes
_{Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.}