The more red the tomato, the sweeter it is.

Tomatoes and Conical Strainers

Did You Know?

• Scientifically, a tomato is a fruit because it contains the seeds of the plant — but it's used as a vegetable.
  
• Cold temperatures diminish a tomato's flavor, nutrients and texture, which is why you should "not" store tomatoes in your refrigerator.
  
• An heirloom is a non-hybrid tomato, grown by gardeners who preserve the old strins of seeds without scientific intervention. Common varieties of heirloom tomatoes include Purple Brandywine, Green Zebra and Yellow Sungold.
  
• When shopping for tomatoes, smell the stem for a "garden" aroma.
  
• A conical strainer also can be used to dust pastries with powdered sugar.

Farmer's Market on 2nd and Arizona Street
Owner: City of Santa Monica
1685 Main St., Room 113
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-458-8737

Surfas
Owner: Diane Surfas
8824 National Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-559-4770

Conical Strainer and Dowl/Roller Pestle (sold separately):

Surfas
www.culinarydistrict.com

FINE LIVING's Shopping With Chefs explores the world of cheese.

Cheese and Fondue Pots

Did You Know?

• Cheese is produced through a process of controlled spoilage, characterized by its smell, flavor and texture.
  
• Some people prefer goat and sheep's cheese as it's easier to digest.
  
• Crottin is a French goat's milk cheese that pairs well with white wines such as Sancerre or Sauvigon Blanc.
  
• Goat Gouda is an excellent melting cheese from Holland with a velvety texture and a mild, sweet taste.
  
• Unlike mass produced cheese, artisanal cheese is handmade with an emphasis on quality over quantity.
  
• Fondue comes from the French word fonder meaning to melt.
  
• Traditional Swiss-style fondue is a combination of two cheeses, Gruuyere and Emmenthaler.

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