Why Southerners Love To Put Sugar On Their Tomatoes

Here’s why Southerners are sweet on sugar-sprinkled tomatoes.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

My grandmother put salt on grapefruit and sugar on tomatoes.

She always told me the slices just tasted better that way.

sliced tomatoes on a small cutting board

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

My grandmother certainly wasn’t alone in her tomato-topping ways.

Sugar on tomato slices is often a Southern summer staple.

Here’s why some Southerners use a spoonful of sugar to help the tomatoes go down.

Southern Living How to Roast Tomatoes cutting the tomatoes in half

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Why Do Southerners Sugar Their Tomatoes?

Sincesweet teais a Southern staple, could putting sugar on tomatoes just be a reflection of regional tastes?

The answer isnt clear cut;tomatoes can be classified as either fruits or vegetables.

Southern Living Easy Freezer Tomato Sauce in the dutch oven to serve

There are also a wide range of tomato options that vary in natural sugar levels.

For people who want to balance the bitterness, sugar may be the go-to seasoning.

So, whats the science behind this?

pickled cherry tomatoes in jars

“Tomatoes contain high levels of citric and malic acids that are responsible for that sharp or tangy flavor.

The natural acidity or sweetness of tomatoes varies by the time of year, too.

A summer tomato out of the garden might need less sugar than a winter grocery store purchase.

southern tomato sandwich halves on plate

If you decide to try sugar on sliced tomatoes or in recipes, start in moderation.

The phrase salt and pepper to taste applies to sugaring tomato slices or sauces, too.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Some common examples includestrawberriesandgrapefruit.”

Granulated sugar sprinkled on tomato slices is probably the most common combination.

However, you arent limited to using white sugar only.

When adding sugar to fruit and veggies, any bang out of sugar can be used.

Granulated sugar is the most common option, but brown sugar can be used to add a deeper flavor.

it’s possible for you to also use natural sweeteners, such as honey and agave.

Tomatoes were originally known aspomme damouror love apples.