Fiamma Vesuviana whole peeled tomatoes

These tomatoes were full of flavour and a pleasing deep red, although this might have been because of the addition of salt. The tomato juice was good enough to make a Bloody Mary, and the tomatoes were meaty and tasty - you could eat them straight out of the tin. If they were to be reduced too much through cooking, however, they could become a little too salty.

HK$19.90, ParknShop, citywide

Essential Waitrose plum tomatoes

The packaging explains that these tomatoes are from Puglia on Italy's sun-drenched heel, but just as the promise of a Chinese cook doesn't always mean you're going to get good Chinese food, these Italian tomatoes fail to deliver. Their colour was dull, and they possessed hardly any flavour. If you closed your eyes, you could be eating soggy cardboard doused in white vinegar.

HK$14.50, ParknShop, citywide

Princes peeled plum tomatoes

With its rich juice and thick, fleshy fruit that has managed to stay intact (but still breaks apart easily when pressed), these are good value for money. They're a rich, deep red and, most importantly, taste like fresh tomatoes. Even though they're not bursting with flavour, their intense colour will perk up any dish, especially once they've been reduced.

HK$12.90, ThreeSixty, 3/F The Landmark, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central

Alce Nero organic peeled tomatoes

Given that these are from Italy, where tomatoes are so integral to the cuisine, and the fact that they are certified by Italian organic certification body CCPB (Consorzio per il Controllo dei Prodotti Biologici), these plum tomatoes seemed promising. They are relatively soft, which makes them great for sauces, but they have a bizarre plastic flavour.

HK$19.90, Oliver's the Delicatessen, 2/F Prince's Building, 10 Chater Rd, Central