Tube of Tomato Paste

[Buddernut]

After always having leftover tomato paste, I bought a "tube" which is great and handy
for when I want to add a squeeze to a dish. But I see no date on the tube, which is
imported from Italy. Anyone have an idea how long this will keep and eat safely ?

[flourgirl]

It was a great day when I finally discovered this product - I was always throwing away opened, spoiled, cans of tomato paste.

I'm glad to hear how long this can really keep. I've usually used up a tube within a couple of months.

[Mestralle]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd mention that I just bought Amore double-concentrated tomato paste, and the tube says "Keeps indefinitely: Refrigerate after opening."

[scubadoo97]

how does it not mold? I have a tube in the fridge that is a bit old. Any left over paste from the can will mold in a week in the fridge. Certainly the exposure to air makes a difference.

[ScubaSteve]

with the tube there is little, or no exposure to the air. well, there may be some trapped between the cap and the paste at the nozzle. even if it were to look a little funky when you take off the cap just squeeze it out until you get to the good stuff.

[greygarious]

I agree, and the concentration of the paste may make it more mold-resistant than regular canned tomato paste, too. I take it that "double-concentrated" Amore is more acid than the 6 or 12 oz cans in which tomato paste is more commonly sold.

[Rick]

I have an open tube over a year old and just used it about two weeks ago . . .

[LRunkle]

I open both ends of a can of tomato paste and push the whole thing out on a pammed plate and freeze it. Then I wrap it in parchment paper and keep it in the freezer for many months. I just hack off what I want with a cleaver. Much cheaper than the tube stuff.

[ScubaSteve]

bought some Amore Monday and there's a best buy date (labeled B.B.D.) of 02/28/12 on the tube. it's also printed (albeit very lightly) on the box as well.

[Buddernut]

oddly enough, I see the BBD on the tube....but no date....Just BBD and a big blank.
I bought about 2 wks. ago, so I'd assume with Suba's post it may be a 2012 date. But as with most products, the BBD is if the product is unopened. I'll go with janetms383 of use within 45 days or so. Thanks all. My tube must have slide right on by that printing.

[ScubaSteve]

you can go way past the 45 day mark as long as it's refrigerated.
i've safely used opened tubes that were opened more than 6 months.

[alwayscooking]

and I'm still alive as well

[DiningDiva]

I've had an open tube in the fridge for way longer than a year and the product has always been good with no deterioration of qualtiy in the product. I dont' especially recommend keeping the product for more than a year, just that it's possible. I love this stuff, not only because it keeps well but because it's really handy when you need to tweak dishes.

[jmckee]

Me too. I sometimes think that the ideal "Oh you must eat it fresh" folks are being paid by the manufacturers.

I have a three month old tube in the fridge now, and I used it in a saute last weekend. It was fime.

[janetms383]

Are you talking about the Amore tomato paste? The best by date was on the box, but I think on the tube as well. The site says to use within 45 days of opening (and keep refrigerated) but I've had my longer and it's still seem good.

[greygarious]

I never noticed that there's a date on Amore. I'd say I have had it in the fridge for as long as a year and there's never been any deterioration. Pricey as it is, I use it sparingly, It's a back-up when I only need a Tbsp or so and don't have any leftover canned paste in the freezer.