One of the most popular salad vegetables, tomatoes are loved for their bright glossy skin and juicy flesh. There are many different types of tomatoes ranging from the small and sweet varieties such as cherry and cocktail to the larger varieties such as beef tomatoes, vine ripened tomatoes and roma tomatoes. All of these varieties range in shapes and versatility and come in different colours, red being the most common. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant which is thought to help in the prevention of certain cancers. Tomatoes also have a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and dietary fibre

The highest concentration of vitamin c in a tomato is found in the jelly like substance around the seeds
There are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes in the world

Slice tomatoes vertically for salads and sandwiches to help stop the juice and seeds spilling out of the tomato.

Combine tomatoes with simple flavours like basil, salt and olive oil.

When selecting tomatoes, smelling the aroma is usually a good indication of how flavourful the tomato is. Also, select tomatoes that feel heavy for their size and have no bruises or soft spots on the surface of the skin. Store ripe and fresh tomatoes at room temperature where they will keep for a few days.

Avoid refrigerating tomatoes as they can lose their nutritional value as well as flavour.

To make a fresh tomato bruschetta, grill slices of bread and top with diced tomatoes and basil leaves, season with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Slice large tomatoes evenly on a plate; combine with mozzarella cheese slices and leaves of basil on top to create a classic tomato salad. Season with olive oil and salt to bring out the flavour of the tomatoes.