Fresh Tomato, Color : Red

What is Tomato?

            A tomato is a nutrient-dense super food that offers benefit to a range of bodily systems. Its nutritional content supports healthful skin, weight loss, and heart health. Tomatoes are now the fourth most popular fresh-market vegetable behind potatoes, lettuce, and onions.

Scientific Definition

Tomatoes have had several scientific names over the years including Solanum lycopersicum and Lycopersicon esculentum belonging to Solanaceae family and Solanum Genus.

Short History

            Wild tomato plants originated in the Andean region of South America, which is today known as Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador. It is believed that tomatoes were first grown by the Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D. The tomatoes that were grown at that time were very different in size and taste from the tomatoes that we know today Despite the popularity of tomatoes, it was only 200 years ago that they were thought to be poisonous in the United States (U.S.) This is likely to be because the plant belongs to the toxic nightshade family.