There really isn’t any reason to buy tomatoes at the grocery store.  Not even at Whole Foods.  They will never match the properly ripened ones from the garden.  Local farm stand ones are a very close second, but there is nothing like a freshly picked one that is still warm from the afternoon sun.  A little kosher salt is all that is needed (olive oil just dulls the flavor).

The store bought choices are picked early so they can survive shipment and extend shelf life even if they are “locally grown”.  Often they are artificially ripened with ethanol gas which is perfectly safe, however,  they aren’t quite as red as they should be and don’t achieve the melt-in-your-mouth texture of naturally ripened fruit.  Even “vine ripened” varieties where a portion of vine is attached to a few tomatoes to give the impression of additional freshness or ripeness will be disappointing once you know what a tomato can be.  Bunches of tomatoes, even the little cherry or grape varieties, don’t ripen at the same time – another sign that they are not truely “vine-ripened”.

Like baking great bread, to grow great vegetables requires patience and respect for the plants’ natural timing.  It is difficult going 9 months without tomatoes, however, when the season arrives it is worth it.