Topic: PLUM TOMATOES VS CHOPPED

[trucker5774]

As the heading says..............any opinions appreciated. I met a guy earlier this year who was from a "curry part of the world" I can,t remember where. He was a huge fan of plum tomatoes. I have used them more often than not since he cooked for me!

Maybe the question should be split between bases and main dishes?

[Razor]

Hi Trucker,

Not sure I understand what we are talking about.  Are you referring to tinned tomatoes here?

Ray

[Domi]

fresh tomatoes in a main dish with base, tinned tomato in a more traditional homecooked dish which will be slow-cooked for longer

[Razor]

Dom,

That's what I mean, I'm a bit confused on the question?   I was gonna put initially, Tinned plum or chopped for a base but always fresh in a main dish.

Ray

[trucker5774]

Sorry.............that's the novice showing through. I was referring to tinned tomatoes, whether they be plum or chopped. I guess from what has been said they are less popular in a main (but maybe have a place) So, which would be the preferred choice, assuming they were used in a base sauce and why?

The chap I met was using them in a "quick method" main without using a base sauce.

Sorry for the ambiguity 

[George]

I was referring to tinned tomatoes, whether they be plum or chopped.

I've recently switched from using mainly chopped to mainly whole tinned tomatoes - I buy whichever are cheapest or on special offer. I believe they are the same tomatoes but the chopped variety are just that - broken up, like the difference between a loaf of bread, and sliced bread.

In a base, it must be irrelevant because both are pureed later. In any event, the whole tomatoes break up quite quickly. I probably prefer whole tinned tomatoes, in general.

[trucker5774]

If I have it right, plum tomatoes are a different variety. They also seem a little sweeter to me.

[Peripatetic Phil]

If I have it right, plum tomatoes are a different variety. They also seem a little sweeter to me.

Yes, they are definitely a different variety.  If you compare plum tomatoes and "real" tomatoes when fresh, you will see that the plum variety have a markedly different shape.

** Phil.

[George]

If I have it right, plum tomatoes are a different variety. They also seem a little sweeter to me.

Yes, they are definitely a different variety.  If you compare plum tomatoes and "real" tomatoes when fresh, you will see that the plum variety have a markedly different shape.

But I don't think that's what we're talking about here, are we? We're not talking about the difference between elongated plum tomatoes and the smaller, round, fresh tomatoes used for salad's, etc. I assume most tinned tomatoes are plum tomatoes, whether whole or chopped.

[trucker5774]

If I have it right, plum tomatoes are a different variety. They also seem a little sweeter to me.

Yes, they are definitely a different variety.  If you compare plum tomatoes and "real" tomatoes when fresh, you will see that the plum variety have a markedly different shape.

** Phil.

That's pretty much what I'm getting at, Phil. In tins we see chopped and plum. The majority seem to be chopped and I would therefore assume they are the more common variety of tomatoes. I suspect the chopped variety may be beef tomatoes? When I have cooked Italian or chilli and have switched between the two, I have noticed a difference. So comparing like for like (all in tins) is there a difference? Or more to the point, will it make a difference?