Tomato Paste

Intensely concentrated, deeply savory, and rich with umami, tomato paste is a Mediterranean kitchen essential that adds extraordinary depth and body to sauces, stews, braises, and soups with just a tablespoon or two. Made by cooking tomatoes for hours until nearly all moisture evaporates, tomato paste concentrates the natural sugars, acids, and lycopene of ripe tomatoes into a thick, brick-red paste with a complex, slightly sweet and tangy flavor. Blooming tomato paste in olive oil before adding liquids unlocks its full flavor potential through caramelization. Exceptionally rich in lycopene — the most bioavailable form of this powerful antioxidant — along with vitamin C, potassium, and iron. Store in a cool, dry place; refrigerate after opening and use within 5–7 days or freeze in tablespoon portions for up to 3 months.