What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato puree?

In this article, we are going to answer the question ”What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato puree?” and discuss what tomato puree and tomato paste are and their composition.

What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato puree?

The difference between tomato paste and tomato puree is the concentration of the tomato solids in its composition. While tomato paste should have at least 24% of natural tomato soluble solids, tomato puree should have at least 8% but no more than 24% of tomato soluble solids in its composition (1,2). 

Briefly, tomato paste is a more concentrated form of tomato puree (3). This results in differences in the nutritional profile, the texture, color and flavor between the two products. 

What is tomato paste?

According to the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture, tomato paste should not contain less than 24% of tomato soluble solids in its composition. This results in a product with a thick consistency and a light sweet flavor (1).  

The different classifications of tomato paste products are:

Extra heavy concentration39.3 percent or more
Heavy concentration32 percent or more, but less than 39.3 percent
Medium concentration28 percent or more, but less than 32 percent
Light concentration24 percent or more, but less than 28 percent

What is tomato puree?

According to the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture, tomato puree should not contain less than 8% of tomato soluble solids but not more than 24% of tomato soluble solids in its composition (2).

The different grades of tomato puree are:

Extra heavy concentration15.0 percent or more, but less than 24.0 percent
Heavy concentration11.3 percent or more, but less than 15.0 percent
Medium concentration10.2 percent or more, but less than 11.3 percent
Light concentration8 percent or more, but less than 10.2 percent

How are tomato paste and tomato puree produced?

To produce tomato paste or tomato puree, similar processes are used. The difference will be on when the evaporation of water is stopped, resulting in a product that is more or less concentrated in tomato solids.

In a simple way, tomatoes are washed and removed from leaves and plant parts and soil. Then, they are cut, treated thermally for a short time to enable the separation of the seeds and skin (3,4). 

The tomato pulp is then evaporated in vacuum evaporators at mild temperatures to reduce vitamin losses and excessive darkening of the product. The product is canned and pasteurized, after enough water is removed and the desired concentration is achieved.

What are the differences between the chemical compositions of tomato paste and tomato puree?

The differences between the chemical composition of tomato paste and tomato puree are shown in the table below (5,6). 

Due to the more concentrated tomato soluble solids, tomato paste contains a higher amount of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins, when compared to tomato puree.

NutrientAmount in 100 g tomato pureeAmount in 100 g tomato pasteUnit
Energy3882kcal
Protein1.654.32g
Total lipid (fat)0.210.47g
Carbohydrates1.2818.9g
Fibers4.834.1g
Calcium, Ca1836mg
Iron, Fe1.782.98mg
Magnesium, Mg2342mg
Phosphorus, P4083mg
Potassium, K4391010mg
Sodium, Na20259mg
Vitamin C10.621.9mg
Niacin1.473.08mg
Vitamin A5101520IU
Lycopene2180028800µg

Other FAQs about Tomato Paste that you may be interested in.

Can you use canned tomato paste after the expiration date?

How long is tomato paste in a tube good for once opened?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we answered the question,”What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato puree?”, and discussed what tomato puree and tomato paste are and their composition. 

References

  1. United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomato Paste.
  2. United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomato Puree (Tomato Pulp)
  3. Capanoglu, Esra, et al. Changes in antioxidant and metabolite profiles during production of tomato paste. J Agr Food Chem, 2008, 56, 964-973. 
  4. Montcho, D., and O. Fagbohoun. Production of tomato puree: an alternative to conservation of locally produced tomato in Benin. Uganda J Agri Sci, 2004, 9, 651-655.
  5. Tomato Puree. Food Central Data. United States Department of Agriculture.
  6. Tomato Paste. Food Central Data. United States Department of Agriculture.

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