FAQ

When people see my collection for the first time, the reactions normally are the same: Amazement that soo many different cans of tomato paste exist and disbelief that someone is actually collecting these cans. Then the questions come. Click on the questions below, or just scroll down to read all.

Questions

1. Are these only pictures, or do you really have those cans?
2. Are the cans full or empty?
3. Why a collection of canned tomato paste?
4. Have you eaten all tomate paste from these cans?
5. Do you have a special interest in tomate paste?
6. How many cans do you have?
7. Are there other tomato paste can collectors?

1. Are these only pictures, or do you really have those cans?

This question is ofcourse only asked by people who didn't study the rest of The Tomato Page. In section Display you can see that all cans shown in the gallery are really present in my kitchen.

2. Are the cans full or empty?

Nearly all cans are empty now. Initially I tried to keep full cans. This went fine for some years, but when tomato paste stays in the can for a really long time, the result can be dramatic. The inside of the can, slowly corrodes and the contents can start leaking out. Another possibility is that the tomato paste starts forming some gas which makes the pressure in the can rise. The can will deform and in exteme situations, exploding cans seem to be possible. Luckily I never had explosions, but I did have some leakages and deformed cans. Interesting fact is that some cans already start leaking before the 'best-before' date is expired. So I decided that it is better to empty all cans.

3. Why a collection of canned tomato paste?

Just by coincidence. Cleaning up my kitchen once, a long time ago, I discovered that I had three or four different brands of canned tomato paste. And it actually were nice-looking cans. So instead of putting them back in the cupboard, I decided to put them on a shelf. Shortly afterwards I noticed again different cans in a supermarket. I guess that at that moment I started to collect.

4. Have you eaten all tomate paste from these cans?

No. I've thrown away almost all of it. Yeah, I know that's a waste of food. Sorry, but what else can you do when you have a 1-person household and someone brings you a 2.6 kg can tomato paste?

5. Do you have a special interest in tomate paste?

No. I don't particulary like or dislike tomato paste, nor do I eat much of it. It's just the cans that have my special attention.

6. How many cans do you have?

Please refer to the home page for this information. I'm getting tired of updating the FAQ each time I get new cans.

7. Are there other tomato paste can collectors?

Yes. There are 2 other tomato paste can collectors, both in Germany.