Contents:

• Tomato paste – what is it, what properties and uses does it have?
• Passata – what is the difference between tomato paste and how to use it in the kitchen?
• Tomato puree – properties and uses
• Properties of tomato products

Tomatoes are among the most widely consumed vegetables worldwide. They delight not only with their juicy taste and aroma, but also with their wealth of nutritional value. They are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as lycopene, which has anti-cancer properties and is beneficial for heart health. Thanks to their versatility, tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many international dishes, both meat and vegan.

Among the various tomato products, passata, tomato paste, and tomato puree are particularly noteworthy. Although they may seem similar at first glance, they differ in their preparation method, consistency, and use in the kitchen. Let's take a closer look at each of these products and learn more about their properties, differences, and uses in everyday cooking. This will make it easier to make the right choice based on your culinary needs and preferences.

Tomato paste – what is it, what properties and uses does it have?

Tomato paste is a product made from ripe tomatoes that are peeled, seeded, and then chopped. This process uses no added spices or preservatives, so the pulp retains the natural flavor and aroma of fresh tomatoes. Its texture is not smooth; it contains tomato pieces. Pulp Uses:

• Sauces and soups: Tomato paste is an excellent base for various sauces, such as Bolognese sauce, arrabbiata, or marinara. It can also be added to soups, such as tomato soup, for an intense tomato flavor.
• Stews and stews: Adding pulp to a stew or stew gives the dish the intense flavor and aroma of tomatoes while giving it the right consistency.
• Lasagna: Tomato paste is perfect as a layer in lasagna and provides a rich tomato flavor.
• Marinades and dressings: It can also be used to prepare meat marinades and salad dressings, giving them a unique taste and aroma.

Tomato paste is a universal ingredient used in many cuisines around the world due to its natural simplicity and versatility. Its rich nutritional properties make it not only delicious but also beneficial to health.

Passata – what is the difference between tomato paste and how to use it in the kitchen?

Like tomato paste, passata is a product made from ripe tomatoes. During preparation, the tomatoes are peeled, the seeds removed, and the pulp is then rubbed through a sieve, giving the passata a smoother, yet still not velvety, consistency. This gives the passata a more uniform and liquid texture than tomato paste, which is somewhat denser and contains small pieces of pulp.

Differences between passata and tomato paste:

• Consistency: Passata has a very smooth and even consistency, while the pulp is slightly denser and contains small tomato particles.
• Processing: The passata is rubbed more thoroughly through a sieve, removing any larger pieces of pulp and seeds, and the pulp is processed less, giving it a meatier and richer texture.
• Use in the kitchen: Due to its consistency, passata is ideal for dishes that require a smooth tomato base, while pulp may be better suited to dishes where a denser structure and the presence of tomato particles are desired.

Uses of passata in the kitchen:

• Sauces: Passata is an ideal base for preparing various sauces, such as spaghetti sauce, lasagna, or penne arrabiatta. Its smooth consistency makes sauces smooth and creamy.
• Soups: Perfect for preparing cream soups, such as tomato soup, where a uniform structure and intense tomato flavor are required.
• One-pot dishes: Passata is ideal for one-pot dishes such as goulash or risotto, where the liquid consistency helps to distribute the flavor of the tomatoes evenly,
• Pizza: Can be used as a base for pizza sauce, creating a smooth and easy-to-spread layer with intense tomato flavor.
• Preserves and preserves: Passata can also be used to make homemade preserves such as ketchup where the smooth consistency is desired.

Thanks to its consistency and intense flavor, passata is irreplaceable in many dishes that require a consistent tomato base. Its versatility and simplicity make it a staple in kitchens around the world, adding a rich, tomato-like character to dishes.

Tomato puree – properties and uses

Tomato puree is the creamiest tomato product. It's a homogeneous product obtained by grinding ripe tomatoes that have been previously peeled and deseeded. The puree production process is more intensive than for puree or passata, giving it a more velvety consistency and an exceptionally smooth texture.

Properties of tomato puree:

• smooth consistency: tomato puree is very tender and uniform, it does not contain large pieces of pulp or seeds, which makes it ideal for sauces and dishes that require a liquid base,
• Rich tomato flavor: Thanks to the intense puréeing and concentration of the tomatoes, the puree has a deep, natural tomato flavor.
• No additives: Well-made tomato puree contains no added preservatives or spices and is therefore a healthier alternative to tomato paste, for example.

Use of tomato puree :

• Pasta sauces: It is an excellent base for preparing various pasta sauces, such as tomato sauce for spaghetti, tagliatelle, or ravioli. Thanks to its smooth consistency, the sauces are smooth and creamy.
• Soups: Ideal for preparing cream soups, such as classic tomato soup or tomato and pepper soup, where the concentrated taste of tomatoes is in the foreground,
• Braised dishes and goulash: When added to braised dishes such as goulash, ragout or gravy, it gives them an intense tomato flavour and a smooth consistency.

Tomato puree is prized for its intense flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Its smooth texture and natural properties make it an irreplaceable ingredient in the preparation of many traditional and modern Mediterranean dishes, as well as many other cuisines around the world.

Properties of tomato products:

• High in lycopene: Tomato products are a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect against heart disease and some cancers.
• Vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, K, potassium and folic acid, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body,
• low in calories: an ideal addition to diet meals,
• Natural source of fiber: When tomatoes are processed into pulp, passata, or puree, some of the fiber is retained, which supports the proper functioning of the digestive system.