Update and correction on canned tomatoes and calcium chloride

M

marilynfl

Moderator
The May-June 2024 issue of Cook's Illustrated did an analysis on San Marzano tomatoes. In their research, they said ALL American canned tomatoes contain calcium chloride with the exception of HUNTS. I had earlier read (and stated here) that organic MUIR canned tomatoes did not use it, but apparently they do.

CI tested the imported Cento San Marzano (which is NOT permitted to contain calcium chloride) against American "San Marzano TYPE" canned tomatoes. Tested raw, they felt the imported was bland, as it contains no salt. But when cooked, the imported won hands down.

It's the most expensive, so they provided a lower price option, albeit one with calcium chloride: "Red Gold" Whole Tomatoes (good for chunkier tomato dishes and strong flavors like chili.)
 
Last edited:
marilynfl said:
The May-June 2024 issue of Cook's Illustrated did an analysis on San Marzano tomatoes. In their research, they said ALL American canned tomatoes contain calcium chloride with the exception of HUNTS. I had earlier read (and stated here) that organic MUIR canned tomatoes did not use it, but apparently they do.

CI tested the imported Cento San Marzano (which is NOT permitted to contain calcium chloride) against American "San Marzano TYPE" canned tomatoes. Tested raw, they felt the imported was bland, as it contains no salt. But when cooked, the imported won hands down.

It's the most expensive, so they provided a lower price option, albeit one with calcium chloride: "Red Gold" Whole Tomatoes (good for chunkier tomato dishes and strong flavors like chili.)
Click to expand...
Huh. You’d think they’d at least test dop certified San marzano tomatoes. Cento are NOT DOP-certified San Marzano tomatoes.
Hunts was my go to brand for sauce/paste when low carbing because it doesn’t contain sugar.
 
Maria, I just re-read the CI article (thank you, Libby and the public library system!). While there is a side-bar discussing the DOP issue, no where do they claim Cento is DOP, but the word CERTIFIED is bandied about a lot.

The article was mostly about testing American-grown San Marzano-TYPE tomatoes and whether they are comparable to imported.

The Cento specifics say Origin: Italy.
Perhaps the CERTIFIED simply means it was grown in Italy?

IMG_2577.jpeg
 
Last edited:
giadzy.com

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About San Marzano Tomatoes

What's the deal with San Marzano tomatoes? Since 1996, there’s been one acknowledged king of the tomato crop: the San Marzano. That’s the year that the European Union certified this special Italian tomato as a DOP product. But there’s a lot of confusion about what makes a San Marzano a San...
giadzy.com giadzy.com

I’m going to have to try the nyt top pick, because I’d never consider putting a canned tomato in a sandwich. They must be very good.

www.nytimes.com

The Best Canned Tomatoes

We taste-tested over 25 cans of widely available whole peeled tomatoes. Here are our favorites.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
Well, the nyt winning Bianco DiNapoli are from California! Whole Foods carries them, so next time I go I’ll pick up a can to test. (Currently on sale for $4.85.) I’m intrigued because they include basil, which was how my friend’s Italian mother used to can her home grown. Those were outstanding and after she passed I thought my friend could tell me how to make it, but she didn’t know! Her mom would’ve been happy to teach me, but she only spoke Italian. 😞
 
oh...cheap thrill...looking for oxtails without sacrificing any limbs and found MUTTI canned tomatoes from Italy. They contain nothing but tomatoes and tomato juice: no calcium Chloride OR citric acid. And they were only $1 for a 14 oz can. Have no clue what they taste like, but happy to have a cheap example to test.
 
mariadnoca said:
Well, the nyt winning Bianco DiNapoli are from California! Whole Foods carries them, so next time I go I’ll pick up a can to test. (Currently on sale for $4.85.) I’m intrigued because they include basil, which was how my friend’s Italian mother used to can her home grown. Those were outstanding and after she passed I thought my friend could tell me how to make it, but she didn’t know! Her mom would’ve been happy to teach me, but she only spoke Italian. 😞
Click to expand...
I used the Nina brand from Costco that are imported and they have basil and are very good. Before that, I used the San Merican and still use those on the rare occassion Costco doesn't have any Nina in stock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top