Tomatoes are a kitchen staple for an endless list of dishes, so many people tend to always keep them on hand as a quick addition to any recipe.

However, it’s important to keep them under the right conditions if you want to extend their lifespan and enjoy their freshness for longer.

An easy way to keep them fresh for longer is by flipping them upside down - but there’s actually more to this method.

Flipping the tomato stem side down creates a small barrier against oxygen, slowing down mould growth, and allowing more time for consumption.

But according to Serious Eats, adding just one extra step can make tomatoes last past the 10-day mark.

The theory is similar to storing tomatoes upside down, aiming to create a barrier against bacteria and mould.

Simply place a small piece of any kind of tape you have lying around over the stem bump and leave it in place until you're ready to eat the tomato.

An Apartment Therapy writer tested the method and noticed that the tomato was “essentially the same” as when they had purchased it 10 days before.

“The skin was tight, there was no visible moisture loss, and when I lightly pressed on the tomato, it bounced back easily,” the writer added.

“Once you’re ready to put BLTs on the dinner menu, just remove the tape and slice them up.

“Again, skipping the step of refrigerating and bringing the tomato back to room temperature made my weeknight meal easy and accessible.”

The fridge will change the texture of tomatoes and they will also soak up the odours of any uncovered food in the fridge which will also impact their taste.

Instead, the best place to keep unripe tomatoes in the kitchen is in a dry area with plenty of air circulation to prevent mould, but also keep them away from sunlight as it can cause them to ripen too quickly.