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Tomato Facts
Believe it or not, tomatoes aren’t always red
They can be yellow, pink, purple, black and even white!
There are over 10 thousand varieties of tomatoes
There are thought to be more than 3,000 varieties of heirloom or heritage tomatoes currently grown worldwide, with more than 15,000 known varieties in total. Tomatoes are known to be a good source of several vitamins and minerals
Tomatoes are technically a fruit
A tomato is technically a fruit that is sometimes considered a vegetable. A fruit is defined as the edible part of the plant containing seeds, such as a tomato, whereas a vegetable is the stem, leaf or root.
There’s an old saying for this: “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”
Tomatoes have been to space
In 1984, the U.S. space shuttle Challenger carried tomato seeds into space. These seeds later sprouted and produced ripe tomatoes back on Earth, making them the first space-grown vegetable.
The first tomatoes were gold, and considered an aphrodisiac
When tomatoes were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century, they were small, golden and cherry sized. This appearance gave them the name ‘golden apples’. Many European countries took this as inspiration and named them with gold names, such as the German goldapfel.
The French were also convinced tomatoes were aphrodisiacs and named them pomme d’amour, or “the love apples.”
India is the second-largest producer of tomatoes in the world
India ranks right behind China in worldwide tomato output. China is the largest producer historically, accounting for approximately a quarter of the world’s total production. China, the United States and India produce roughly 70% of the world’s tomatoes combined.
Tomatoes are not native to India
Portuguese traders first introduced tomatoes to the Indian subcontinent in the 16th century. Initially viewed with suspicion as ornamental or poisonous plants, they eventually transformed into an indispensable staple of Indian cuisine.
The transformation really began in the 20th century. Some food historians suggest that tomatoes first caught on in Bengal and the East. Cooks from the East travelled all over India, adding tomatoes to existing recipes. The sourness of tomatoes appealed to Indian palates accustomed to tamarind and other souring agents.
Gradually, this foreign vegetable began finding its way into Indian kitchens — not as the star ingredient, but as a flavour enhancer and souring agent.
There are some Guinness World Records tomatoes
The Guinness World Record for “most tomatoes harvested from a single plant over one year” was 32,194 tomatoes, harvested between May 2005 and April 2006 — and the plant weighed 522.464 kg (1,151.84 lbs)!
The word ‘tomato’ comes from Spanish
The English word for tomato comes from the Spanish tomate, which itself came from tomatl in Nahuatl, the ancient Aztec language. The Aztec name translated to “plump thing with a navel.”
Tomatoes are very good for you
Tomatoes, which are 95% water, are generally good for you, with only 18 calories. You get a little protein, some fibre, and about 30% of your daily intake of vitamin C, all in one fruit.
No bad things in tomatoes — just good things, and some things you can only get in tomatoes.
Tomatoes are known to be a good source of several vitamins and minerals
- Vitamin C
- An essential nutrient and antioxidant. One medium-sized tomato provides about 28% of the Reference Daily Intake.
- Potassium
- An essential mineral, beneficial for blood pressure control and heart disease prevention.
- Vitamin K1
- Also known as phylloquinone. Important for blood clotting and bone health.
- Folate (vitamin B9)
- One of the B vitamins, important for normal tissue growth and cell function. Particularly important for pregnant women.
