They were widely grown and distributed, however, there were reports that tomatoes could cause cancer. Tomatoes Today These fruits are one of the most widely grown plants in the US.īy the late 19th century, tomatoes were considered edible. While the importers argued then that tomatoes were technically a fruit, their plea was dismissed. Vegetables that were “green, ripened or dried” could enter tax-free. Supreme Court ruled that the tomato is a vegetable for “tax purposes.” This was due to the tariff act of 1883 which placed a 10% tax on any “vegetables in their natural state” that were imported. Though botanically speaking tomatoes are a fruit, in 1893 the U.S. Some cookbooks would suggest “cooking for three hours or more” to get rid of the “raw taste.” Fruit or Vegetable? Though technically a fruit, tomatoes have been treated as vegetables. There were still suspicions about their edibility. In 1820, a man named Colonel Robert Johnson stood on the courthouse steps of Salem, New Jersey, and ate a raw tomato to prove that the fruit was edible!īy 1850, tomatoes could be found at urban markets and were widely grown in American home gardens. However, in the northeastern United States, the tomato was still mostly thought of as poisonous or, at the very least, suspicious. This was doubtless because of the heavy French influence on southern cuisine, with dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya. Tomatoes were used as food in New Orleans by 1812. It was then introduced to Philadelphia, and then in 1801, the tomato was introduced by an Italian painter to Salem, Massachusetts. It is also suggested that the tomato came up with a refugee from Santo Domingo in 1789. The French called the tomato “ pomme d’amour” or “ love apple.” Tomato Popularity Grows in the States These acidic fruits did not gain popularity in the US until the late 1700s.įinally, in 1781, we find records of the tomato being grown in Thomas Jefferson’s garden. In fact, the tomato was thought of more as an ornamental plant at first because of its nightshade family relation.
The first written appearance of the tomato was in Italy in 1544, where the tomato was called “ pomo d’oro” or “golden apple.” This reference to a golden color indicates that possibly the varieties that made their way to Europe initially were yellow, rather than red.īecause the plants were members of the nightshade family, a family known for poisonous plants, people were wary about eating them. In Spain, the tomato was dubbed “ pome dei Moro” or “Moorish apple.” This occured when Spanish explorers brought plants back with them to Spain. Just like many plant species of the Americas, interest in tomatoes was piqued again after Columbus’ travels to America. Around 7,000 years ago, these smaller-fruited, often weedy-in-nature, plants became domesticated and gave rise to the more modern-looking tomato. The small, red, cherry-tomato-like fruits were cultivated by South Americans and eventually spread up into central America possibly by humans, birds, and other natural routes. Wild relatives of this species are native to the coastal areas of South America from Ecuador down to northern Chile. Plant History and Cultivation South America is the original home to these now-globally popular fruits.Īll cultivated varieties of the tomato today are derived from the species Solanum lycopersicum. After pollination becomes round or plum-shaped fruit in colors varying in shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple! Read on to learn more about the tomato’s interesting history, growth habits, uses, and awesome health benefits! The leaves are often lobed, and the entire plant has a very distinct scent. Tomatoes are grown as an annual, though in the tropics they can be grown as a perennial. In fact, because of the bad rap of some of the plants in this family, the tomato was once thought to be poisonous, but we’ll talk more about that later. Other not-so-friendly alkaloid-producing plants this family includes are henbane, Jimson weed, belladonna, and tobacco. The nightshade family includes popular garden plants such as eggplant, peppers, and potatoes. Tomatoes, scientifically known as Solanum lycopersicum, are members of the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade family. Would it be summertime without the image of bright red tomatoes piled high on country roadside stands and farmer’s market tables? Do you dream of harvesting your very own juicy, freshly-sliced tomato for your BLT sandwich? Are you looking for a sweet or tart snack that’s easy to pluck and pop in your mouth as you stroll through your backyard? If all this sounds wonderful, then I’d venture to say it’s time to step into the world of growing delicious tomatoes!
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