Every dish in Indian kitchen is incomplete without tomato, be it dal, vegetable or biryani. But nowadays two main types of tomatoes are available in the market – desi and hybrid. Often buyers are confused about which tomato is better for their health. Are hybrid tomatoes harmful? Are local tomatoes really a treasure of health? Come, today let us understand the difference between these two and know which tomato is best for your plate.
It is very easy to identify desi tomatoes and hybrid tomatoes. Hybrid tomatoes are often slightly long, oval in shape and very attractive and smooth in appearance. Their peel is very thick and the pulp inside is also hard, due to which they do not spoil for a long time. At the same time, local tomatoes are usually completely round. Their peel is very thin, they are very juicy and they also have a high amount of seeds. Desi tomatoes are known for their sharp sourness and wonderful aroma.
If you are making salad, then it is considered better to use hybrid tomatoes, because they are easy to cut and do not spoil quickly. But if we talk about traditional Indian dishes like curry, dal, chutney or rasam, then desi tomatoes are the best. Their thin skin and rich juice add great flavor and thickness to the gravy. They have a short shelf life, so they should be used within a few days of getting them.
Hybrid tomatoes are often bred for a specific purpose—to keep them from spoiling quickly and to be protected from insects. These also contain nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium and folate. Besides, an antioxidant called ‘Lycopene’ is also found in them which is helpful in fighting cancer. Hybrid tomatoes are not harmful in themselves, but there may be excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers during their cultivation, which can become a matter of concern for health.
From health point of view, experts often give preference to desi tomatoes. The main reason for this is that local tomatoes have much higher amounts of antioxidants (especially lycopene) than hybrid tomatoes. Vitamin A and C are found in abundance in them, which are a boon for the health of your eyes and skin. Most importantly, homegrown tomatoes are often grown with fewer chemicals or organically, minimizing the risk of pesticides. If you want both purity and taste, then desi tomatoes should be the priority in the market.
