Originally Posted by Eastbay1K

No shortages around here, but I rarely buy tomatoes this time of year - occasionally something from a hothouse that resembles and almost tastes like a tomato, but ... oh strike that first sentence, as I will be going to the great Deep Deep Deep South next week, where it will be early fall, with fresh and tasty tomatoes. 20-some years ago, someone from Buenos Aires (living in the USA) asked me what was up with tomatoes in the USA, as in why they look so nice, but have no flavor.

Even during season, I am typically particular in my tomato purchases. Once they get overchilled (as in what pretty much every supermarket chain is going to do at some point during distribution), the flavor dies.