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What is Tomato Powder?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Tomato powder is a powder made from tomatoes which can be used to add tomato flavoring to various dishes. This product is made by turning fresh tomatoes into a slurry and spray drying the slurry. With spray drying, hot gas is forced through a liquid mixture, creating a fine powder of uniform consistency. The consistency of the powder can be adjusted by making small adjustments to the spray nozzle as necessary. The result is a highly concentrated powder which usually has a dull red color which is sometimes enhanced with coloring because people expect it to be bright red.

One way to use tomato powder is as a base for tomato paste. The powder keeps longer than most tomato paste, and allows people to mix up exactly as much as they need for a fresh, clear flavor. Tomato paste is used in a variety of sauces and soups, especially in Italian cuisine. Tomato powder can also be used to make tomato soups, or to fortify broths and pasta sauces if they have a weak tomato flavor and a stronger one is desired.

Tomato powder may be used to add a stronger flavor to tomato soup.
Tomato powder may be used to add a stronger flavor to tomato soup.

Many dishes can also benefit from a small sprinkle of tomato powder to make their flavors pop a bit more. Especially in the winter when it can be difficult to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables, people may enjoy the summery flavor of fresh tomatoes when it's added to various dishes. Tomato powder can also be used in dips, seasoning mixes, and sauces. For example, people can add tomato powder to cream cheese to make a tomato-cream cheese spread for toast.

Tomato powder may be used to create homemade ketchup.
Tomato powder may be used to create homemade ketchup.

One thing to be aware of with tomato flavor is that it tends to attract moisture. If it is left in a cupboard which is damp, it may clot and clump. It should be stored in an airtight container to reduce the risk of losing flavor and to minimize clumping. It can also be stored in a freezer; the powder will stay loose in the freezer and it should also stay fresh and retain the strong flavor.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

chivebasil

I have used tomato powder to brighten up curry dishes. I just sprinkle a little bit over my favorite curry dishes and it adds a really great counter flavor to the warm spiciness of the curry.

tigers88

I am a big outdoors man and am always looking for tasty and convenient foods to take with me on long trips through the woods. I love tomatoes, but fresh tomatoes are too fragile to carry and canned tomatoes are usually too heavy and bulky to make worth carrying in the pack. Maybe tomato powder is the solution. I am imagining mixing the powder with water, garlic and basil to create a kind of campfire spaghetti sauce. Could be disgusting, could be delicious. I can't wait to give it a try.

ZsaZsa56

Wow, tomato powder, I've never heard of this. Of course it makes sense. You can make a powder out of almost anything by drying it out and then grinding it into a fine powder. I have seen apple powder, garlic powder, onion powder and and chili powder amongst many other. I am really curious about tomato powder though. I love tomatoes and am always looking for ways to incorporate the flavor in new and unexpected ways.

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    • Tomato powder may be used to add a stronger flavor to tomato soup.
      By: Kondor83
      Tomato powder may be used to add a stronger flavor to tomato soup.
    • Tomato powder may be used to create homemade ketchup.
      By: Matthew Antonino
      Tomato powder may be used to create homemade ketchup.
    • Fresh tomatoes serve as the base for tomato powder.
      By: Profotokris
      Fresh tomatoes serve as the base for tomato powder.
    • In the winter when it it's difficult to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables, people may enjoy the summery flavor of tomato powder.
      By: Sergii Figurnyi
      In the winter when it it's difficult to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables, people may enjoy the summery flavor of tomato powder.