Tomatoes, which originate from South America, Spain or Israel, are now one of the most widely grown crops worldwide. Israel is known for its efficient agricultural techniques and grows high-quality tomatoes, which are processed into various long-life forms such as powder and purée. Thanks to its sunny climate and modern irrigation methods.
Tomatoes
Origin
Varieties
Tomatoes are available in two convenient, long-life forms:
- Tomato powder: Made from carefully dried and finely ground tomatoes. This powder is rich in umami, with a concentrated tomato flavour and a deep red colour.
- Tomato purée: A thick, smooth paste made by reducing tomatoes to an intensely concentrated substance, perfect for flavouring sauces and soups.
Applications
Tomato powder is particularly suitable for dry applications such as spice mixes, snacks, powdered sauces and instant soups. It can also be dissolved in water to quickly make tomato sauce. Tomato purée, on the other hand, is ideal for hot preparations such as pasta sauces, stews and curries. Due to its concentrated flavour, only a small amount is needed to give a dish depth and richness.
Production
Tomatoes are harvested on a large scale, usually during the summer months. To make powder, the tomatoes are washed, pureed, then dried using spray drying or drum drying, and ground into a fine powder. For purée, the tomatoes are boiled down and concentrated to a solid consistency. Both forms benefit from the intensity of sun-ripened tomatoes and advanced processing methods.
Annual Harvest
Israel has one main tomato crop per year, usually between June and September. Thanks to advanced storage and processing capabilities, tomato powder and purée are available year-round, with consistent quality.
Tomato powder and purée from Israel are practical and flavourful ingredients that can be used in a wide range of modern dishes. They combine shelf life with the full flavour of sun-ripened tomatoes.
