What is the difference between tomato paste and puree?

Question

Understand how tomato paste and puree differ in texture and taste.

Answer 1

Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes with a thick consistency and intense flavor, while tomato puree is less concentrated, thinner, and has a milder tomato flavor.

Detailed Explanation:

Tomato paste and tomato puree are both made from cooked tomatoes, but they differ significantly in their concentration, texture, and flavor.

Tomato Paste: This is made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce their water content, resulting in a very thick, dense paste. The intense cooking process also caramelizes the sugars in the tomatoes, giving it a richer, more concentrated tomato flavor. Tomato paste is typically used in small amounts to add depth and richness to sauces, stews, and soups.

Tomato Puree: This is made by cooking and straining tomatoes to remove the skins and seeds, resulting in a smooth, liquidy sauce. It's less concentrated than tomato paste and has a milder, fresher tomato flavor. Tomato puree is often used as a base for sauces or as an ingredient in soups and stews where a less intense tomato flavor is desired.

In essence, tomato paste is a highly concentrated flavor enhancer, while tomato puree is a smoother, less intense tomato product.

Pro Tip:

When using tomato paste, toast it briefly in the pan with your aromatics (like garlic and onions) before adding other liquids. This helps to deepen its flavor and prevent it from tasting metallic.