One of the most common mistakes is to look only at the expiration date.
A tomato purée with a long shelf life does not necessarily mean it was produced recently. Conversely, a properly processed and stored product can retain its quality for a considerable period.
When evaluating “freshness,” it is important to distinguish between:
Production date
Production batch
Best-before or expiration date
These are different pieces of information that tell you different things about the product.
The Freshest Purée Is Often the One From the Tomato Season
Tomatoes intended for industrial processing are generally harvested during specific periods of the year, particularly in summer.
Purées made from tomatoes harvested during the most recent processing season are therefore more likely to have been produced recently.
This does not mean that an older product is necessarily of poor quality. If it has been processed and stored correctly, it can retain good quality for a long time.
Look at the Origin of the Tomatoes
Another important detail is the product label.
Information about the origin of the raw materials can help you understand where the tomatoes used in the purée come from.
Many consumers prefer products made with Italian tomatoes and clear information about the production chain.
