Why when I harvest tomato's they are super dark red but grocery tomato's are really light and sometimes green?

Question

Why when I harvest tomato's they are super dark red but grocery tomato's are really light and sometimes green?

Answer 1

I agree with the above- store tomatoes are generally picked pre-ripe.  And sometimes artificially ripened...

BUT... you might also have a different variety of tomato.  I've had tomatoes that are black at maturity (heirloom), and some people (my family included) pick tomatoes while still underripe (or green) for various uses.

Answer 2

They are picked before ripe.  They ripen in the truck that travels 3 days to get to the store.  Some that are very under ripe will be not as red.  Some that are more ripe will be over ripe in the store.

Also, duller colour can tell you that it was green house grown.  Lower light levels.