A few weeks ago I wrote a review on the humble Potato and today I have decided to chose another "vegetable" which like the Potato has in its Origins in South America. Today I have chosen the Tomato which, technically speaking is actually a fruit rather than a vegetable.
The History
Tomatoes are native to South and Central America and were first cultivated by both the Atzecs and the Incas as long ago as 700 AD. The word "tomato" derives from "tomatl," its name in Nahuatl, the ancient language of the Aztec people.
Tomatoes were first brought to Europe by the Spaniards during the 16th Century following their conquest of South America and the Tomato soon became popular in Europe due to its easy cultivation and versatility.
Varieties
There are actually over 10,000 different varieties of Tomatoes which range in size from tiny marble sized "Cherry" varieties to giant "Beefeater" varieties. Their colour can range from yellow to purple but most of us will think of a tomato as being , bright orange-red in colour and round in shape.
Some Facts
- Tomatoes have the botanical name "'lycopersicon lycopersicum" which literally means wolf-peach. They are related to Aubergines, Red and Green Peppers, Ground Cherry, and Potatoes,
but their closest relation is actually Belladonna, which is more commonly known as "Deadly Nightshade."
- Like the Deadly Nightshade Tomatoes also contain a poison called "Solinine" which is toxic to humans but is not contained in large enough quantities to cause serious problems to our health although it can be fatal for some animals including Cats.
- On a more positive note Tomatoes have excellent homeopathic properties and are recommended for people suffering from a whole range of ailments including Arthritis, Psoriasis and Cystitis. They can also help people to give up smoking but because they naturally contain minute traces of nicotine they can, in extreme cases re-trigger cigarette addiction.
- More than 105 million tonnes of Tomatoes are cultivated in the World each year making it the most popular Fruit in the World.
- Tomatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, which is most concentrated in the jelly that surrounds the seeds. Interestingly, Tomatoes grown in a Greenhouse only contain half the amount of Vitamin C compared with those ripened naturally on the Vine.
- Tomatoes should never be kept in a fridge, they should always be kept in a cool, dark place as refrigeration not only makes them rapidly lose their nutritional value it will also diminish their taste.
- Tomatoes are an excellent source of Lycopene. This provides their pigmentation, which gives them their colour but more recent research has found that Lycopene contains anti-oxidants which can be preventative to many types of Cancer, and in particular those affecting the Digestive System.
Fruit or Vegetable?
Botanically speaking, the Tomato is a fruit, as a fruit is classified as something containing fleshy material covering a seed or seeds. However, Horticulturally speaking, the Tomato is usually referred to as a Vegetable Plant, as the Tomato Plant is an Annual Plant and non-woody. Politically speaking it was classified as a Vegetable by the US Supreme Court in 1893 and therefore became subject to import taxes . Fruits, at that time, were not subject to import taxes.
The Nutritional Info
Tomatoes contain their most nutrients when eaten raw, and an average sized raw tomato will provide you with just 35 calories and less than 1g of fat. As mentioned earlier they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C.
The Versatility Of The Tomato
The Tomatoes success lies largely in it versatility as it can be used in hundreds of different recipes. My favourite form is to eat it raw either in a Salad or on a Sandwich. I can particularly recommend Cheese and Tomato or Ham and Tomato, very traditional I know, but for me still the best. Tomatoes can also be Grilled or Fried and served with a traditional Full English Breakfast but the latter method with bump up the calories. Tomatoes also feature in many recipes including Pizzas and Pasta dishes or they can be liquidised to form Tomato Puree or Ketchup.
Availability & Price
Tomatoes are available from almost everywhere that sell groceries from large Supermarkets to local shops but the best thing about them is their price. Prices vary widely but as a guide 1lb of gorgeously sweet Cherry Tomatoes current cost just 42p at my local market stall and believe me a bagful of these is quite an impressive amount. Larger Salad tomatoes from the Asda will set you back 59p or £1.14 per Kilo (approximately 12-14 Tomatoes).
Cultivation
When I was a kid my dad always grew Tomatoes in his Greenhouse and he has started doing so again since he retired, but I am afraid my only direct experience is growing them in a grow bag from small plants acquired from his Greenhouse. Tomatoes are grown from a seed which can be sowed directly onto finely sowed soil or they can be sowed into small pots in a Greenhouse or on a window sill. The latter options will produce ripe Tomatoes in late May/early June from seeds sown in late February/early March. Sowing seeds directly into the soil is a lot riskier with the British Climate and seeds should not be sown until after the last frosts have gone which is usually late March. My dad always sows his seeds into small 3 inch pots which he puts in his greenhouse, I do remember him sometimes putting them on the window sill in the house but my mum always used to complain because they have a very strong smell. The seeds should be placed into moist (not waterlogged) compost with one or two seeds per pot. The first dark green shoots normally appear after 7-10 days when you should ensure that they are placed in an area with plenty of light, after a couple of weeks these plants should be moved into larger pots. Tomatoes grow on a vine which is usually large enough to plant outside after about 7 weeks. The vines will be covered in bright yellow flowers after a couple of months and when these disappear a tiny green Tomato will appear in its place. To begin with these Tomatoes are very small but they do grow in size very quickly and it will not be long before they begin to emit a lovely sweet smell. The green Tomatoes will gradually change to a Orange-Red colour and it is at this point that they should be picked and left to ripen on a sunny window ledge for their final two or three days. Tomato vines do tend to attract a lot of Greenfly and Blackfly so regular checking of the plants is essential, especially if they are outside.
Conclusion
I love Tomatoes and find that they are lovely to munch on even between meals just to satisfy that craving for food. They are certainly a lot healthier than eating a Chocolate snack or biscuit.
Thank you for reading.
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That's what I love about this site - sheer diversity. A tomato review, no, an excellent tomato review at that. Do you know, reading that I could almost "smell" tomatoes - uncanny! Richard.
lipsalve 21.09.2005 19:37
A lovely juicy review. I love the cherry toms. Jo x
HotBabes 21.09.2005 14:35
Always eating tomatoes in this house, especially the cherry ones although I din't know they shouldn't be refrigerated. Have taken mine out now! x x
Advantages: Wonderful smell, taste and goes perfectly with tomatoes for a divine salad sensation! Disadvantages: It's an annual that likes a but of sun. And I live in The Dark North!!!
phoenixgreen 26.05.2007 (25.05.2007)
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