Tomato paste production line | buy at a cheap price
this article will explain to you the nutritional value for tomato paste
Before we look at the nutritional benefits of tomato puree, let’s first look at how to make it
First of all, making tomato puree is quite easy and does not involve any additional ingredients
However, manufacturers can use two different processes to do so, known as “hot break” and “cold break” treatments
You can read more about the manufacturing processes here, but here is a simplified summary (1, 2): First, the tomatoes are sorted and then chopped until they are pulpy
Growers then heat the tomatoes to a temperature of 65-75°C/149-167°F (cold break) or 85-95°C/185-203°F (hot break)
The tomato seeds and skins are then pressed out of the mixture, leaving a liquid sauce-like consistency without lumps
The resulting tomato sauce is then heated for several hours during various stages of evaporation
During this stage of production, the sauce takes on a thicker consistency as the water content of the tomatoes evaporates
Once the tomato paste has reached the desired consistency, it can be subjected to a pasteurization process at around 90 °C
Finally, the tomato puree is packaged and distributed for sale
Key Point: The production process of tomato puree is a simple process that involves cutting and cleaning tomatoes
The evaporation process then reduces the water content until the tomatoes are like a thick paste
Benefits of tomato puree Using tomato puree can offer several nutritional benefits; here are some of the main benefits it offers
Tomato paste is an important source of lycopene Tomatoes are the best food source of a carotenoid called lycopene
Lycopene is not converted to vitamin A in the same way as other carotenoids
However, it seems to be beneficial for the human body
In addition, the bioavailability of lycopene is much higher in processed and cooked tomato products than in whole fresh tomatoes (3)
This compound is responsible for the bright red appearance of vegetables such as red peppers, red carrots, and tomato products (4)
A study of lycopene and tomato paste Here are some results from human studies: In a randomized trial involving nineteen participants, 33 mg of lycopene per day from tomato puree improved endothelial function
Such improvements may be protective for cardiovascular health (6)
A randomized controlled trial showed that lycopene may have protective properties against UV-induced damage
In this study, twenty women consumed high amounts of lycopene through a daily supplement of 55 grams of tomato puree for 12 weeks
Compared to the control group, the skin of women in the tomato puree group significantly reduced signs of UV-induced damage after 12 weeks
The UV protective properties of lycopene have also been demonstrated in past human and animal studies (7, 8, 9)
A systematic review and meta-analysis of tomato paste and lycopene supplementation noted that existing literature supports beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors such as endothelial function, blood lipids, and blood pressure (10)
It’s also worth noting that research shows that eating a food source of lycopene along with dietary fat (like olive oil) leads to higher absorption rates (11)
2 tablespoons (32-grams) of tomato paste provides about 29 mg of lycopene (12)
Key Point: Tomato paste is the most significant dietary source of a carotenoid called lycopene
Lycopene may have several benefits for human health
Low in calories Unlike many sauces and condiments, tomato puree is very low in calories
On that note, a 2-tablespoon (32-gram) serving has only 26 calories (12)
In addition to being low in calories, this typical serving size is low in carbs (six grams) and low in fat (0
2 grams)
For these reasons, tomato paste can be suitable for a wide variety of popular diets, whether low-carb, low-fat, or plant-based
It provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals Tomato paste does not contain significant amounts of any one vitamin or mineral, but contains smaller amounts of many nutrients
Among these nutrients, two tablespoons (32 grams) of tomato puree provide almost 10% of the daily value of copper, potassium and vitamin C
Tomato pastes usually do not have additional ingredients While tomato puree is usually quite healthy, jarred cooking sauces often contain added ingredients
For example, jarred cooking sauces commonly contain vegetable oils, added sugars, and high amounts of salt (and calories) per serving
There are many different ways to use tomato paste in our cooking, but let’s stick to some of the simplest ways
Pizza base Mix some tomato puree with some herbs like rosemary, oregano, basil and thyme
Add a pinch of salt to taste and then spread over the pizza base
Simply add cheese and your favorite toppings to make a delicious homemade pizza
To make it even easier, using dried Italian herbs (disclosure: affiliate link) works well instead of individual herbs
Curry and tomato dishes Tomato paste can work well in a variety of tomato-based dishes, from curries and savory dishes to risottos and pasta dishes
Soups and stews Mixing a tablespoon or two of tomato puree into a soup or stew is an easy way to enhance the flavor and increase the nutritional value
Make the marinade Tomato paste can be a key ingredient in a delicious marinade for meat, fish, poultry and tofu-based recipes
In this regard, the following simple recipe works very well: 1 tablespoon of tomato puree 1 tsp soy sauce 1/2 tsp sesame oil 1/2 tsp minced garlic A pinch of dried oregano (or herbs of choice) Fresh tomato substitute
Tomato paste can also be used as a substitute in any recipe that contains fresh tomatoes
A good rule of thumb here is to use one tablespoon of tomato paste for every medium tomato the recipe calls for
Other thoughts For more ideas on different ways to use tomato puree, here’s a mix of 32 interesting recipes
What kind of tomato paste is best? People often wonder what kind of tomato paste is best
The truth is, there is no difference between tomato paste in a tube, can, jar or packet
All these containers provide the same food product inside and the only major difference is the outer packaging
There is nothing wrong with either of these options, and it is better to choose a personal preference or shop around for the best deal
Are there any disadvantages to tomato paste? Nutritionally, tomato paste is a fairly nutritious condiment without major drawbacks
However, like all foods, some people may be allergic or intolerant to tomato products
Although such allergies are rare, more than 50 allergic reactions to tomato-based products have been reported according to the University of Manchester Food Allergen Database (14)
Anyone who suspects a tomato allergy should consult their doctor
