History of the Tomato

When researching the history of the humble tomato, it seems like there are many versions of how different countries were introduced to the tomato plant. Throw in some wonderful folklore about tomatoes and the stories just get better even if some of the "facts" in tomato history are a little "hazy".

From what is suggested from various sources, or should we say tomato sauces! tomatoes originated in the Central to South Americas.

The explorer Cortez is credited with introducing the tomato to the Mediterranean area of Europe where it rapidly gained popularity.

In some countries, such as Britian, the tomato was first grown for its ornamental appearance and not as a food. This may have been because it is a member of the deadly nightshade family and people thought they would be poisoned by eating the acidic fruit. The strong, even unpleasant odour of the stems and leaves probably added to this theory.

In Australia's "tomato history" it was thought the settlers on the First Fleet (who came from England to settle in the New World) may have bought tomato seed with them to their new colony, especially as they would have stopped to pick up provisions in Portugal, where the tomato was grown and eaten in their everyday diet.

The sea voyage from England was a long and arduous one in many ways and a lot of settlers were stricken with scurvy (a deficiency in Vitamin C) and died before reaching the new land. If the botanists on board the First Fleet had known that the humble tomato had a high content of this vitamin many lives may have been saved.

The First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788 and as tomatoes were not readily embraced into our diets by England and America until around the 1840's it would seem likely that tomatoes were also introduced to Australia around that time.

The famous American statesman, Thomas Jefferson, was thought to have grown tomatoes on his Virginian farm in the 1780's where his daughters and grand-daughters used them extensively for cooking and pickling.

By the 1870s to 1880s seed catalogues were advertising several varieties of tomatoes. Joseph Campbell of Campbell's soup fame produced his condensed tomato soup in 1897 and the tomato hasn't looked back since.

European immigrants to America bought even more recipes for tomatoes with them and slowly but surely we have, over the years, embraced these recipes into our everyday eating habits. Where would we be without the pizza!

The tomato is even the state vegetable of New Jersey.

From humble beginnings, tomatoes have become one of the most popular fruits or vegetables in the world today. Annual consumption is increasing each year and the very best way to enjoy your mouth-watering tomatoes is to grow your own.

So what's stopping you -

Start the backyard or balcony revolution today - get your copy of

How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes in the ebook format

or

How To Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes in the hardcover edition