Author: Gerardo Gonzalez

Tomatoes were not grown in England until the 1590s, however they were not widely consumed until the mid 18th century. The tomato was introduced to cultivation in the Middle East by John Barker, British consul in Aleppo circa 1799 to 1825. How did tomatoes get to UK? In the early 16th century, Spanish conquistadors returning […]

Solanum esculentum (75-85 days) A vigorous indeterminate cherry that produces heavy clusters of 8-12 dark purple and golden yellow fruits that are very high in the phyto-nutirent, Anthocyanin. Foliage is tinged purple as well. A unique addition to summer salads! What do blueberry tomatoes taste like? The blueberries tomatoes grew very well, with heavy loads […]

The Solanaceae, also known as the potato or deadly nightshade family is one of humankind’s most utilized and important plant families. It contains some of the world’s most important food plants, such as the potato, tomato, all peppers, ground cherries (tomatillo), and eggplant. What plant is closely related to tomatoes? Because of its flower structure, […]

Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. Plants within a family share certain morphological characteristics. The flowers on tomatoes and potatoes are similar in appearance. Potato fruit are similar in shape (though much smaller in size) to those on tomatoes. Why is potato and tomato so similar? The reason that these two […]

Solanum lycopersicum Tomatoes are a significant source of umami flavor. They are consumed in diverse ways: raw or cooked, and in many dishes, sauces, salads, and drinks. While tomatoes are fruits—botanically classified as berries—they are commonly used culinarily as a vegetable ingredient or side dish. What is special about tomatoes? Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, […]

Grow it yourself: Tomatoes. A lot of people love tomatoes, but not all tomato-lovers have tried growing this herb-like fruiting vegetable themselves. It can be grown as an annual plant and it is best known as a climbing plant, although the plant was originally a creeper. Is tomato is a tree? Trees vs. The tomato […]

Choose healthy plants that are 10 to 12 inches tall. Dig your hole about 12 inches deep for each plant and work a handful of good fertilizer into the hole. (Heyming also likes to add a banana peel and the shells from one egg into the bottom of the hole to provide extra nutrients for […]

The prospect of genetically modified purple tomatoes reaching the shelves has come a step closer. Their dark pigment is intended to give tomatoes the same potential health benefits as fruit such as blueberries. Is purple tomato genetically modified? Purple tomatoes have been developed by inserting two genes from snapdragon, a flower, in tomatoes to grow […]

As far as we know, the first recorded Italian eye-witness account of what was later known as a tomato is from Tuscany in 1548. In that account, the fruit was surprisingly compared with an eggplant. The Italian name for this new edible item was “pomidoro,” which roughly translates to golden fruits or golden apple. Were […]

Recipe: Fruit Salad with Tomatoes. Summary: Since a tomato is technically a fruit but often considered a vegetable, ignore convention and include it in your fruit salad! You’ll never go back. What fruits should not go in a fruit salad? Fruits to Avoid for Fruit Salad A few favorites are strawberries, grapes, bananas, and apples. […]

Brought to Europe by the Spanish when they colonized the Americas — it’s an Aztec plant, as we can tell by its original name, “tomatl” — by the mid-1500s, it had made its way to Italy. Nobody quite knows how — some think the Sephardic Jews, expelled from Spain in 1492, could have brought it […]

It’s a question used to trick schoolkids the nation over: Is the tomato actually a fruit or a vegetable? Botanically, it’s a fruit. But legally, it’s not. And the origins of that discrepancy lie in a 19th-century Supreme Court case so obscure, many tomato experts aren’t even aware of it. Is tomato a fruit or […]

Tomatoes Tomatoes were a staple of the Aztec diet, as well as the paper-skinned husk tomatoes known in Spanish as tomatillos (Physalis peruviana). In Nahuatl, the Aztec language, tomatoes are called tomatl, which the Spanish translated as tomate. What were tomatoes originally called? The tomato was eaten by the Aztecs as early as 700 AD […]

Tomatoes are member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and, as such, are related to eggplants, potatoes, and of course, deadly belladonna or nightshade. These cousins all produce a toxin called solanine. What part of a tomato is poisonous? Tomato. I know, I just said the tomato isn’t poisonous. The fruit isn’t, but the leaves, roots, […]

Red wine vinegar adds a pleasingly tangy flavor to tomato sauces. It is, after all, sour wine! You need to add just a bit of vinegar to liven up the sauce without making the entire batch sour. Think of it as squeezing a slice of lemon into a glass of water to brighten the taste. […]

China. Top 10 Tomato producing countries in the world – production and area under cultivation [2019] China – Ranked #1, the country accounts for 34.72% of total world Tomato production. Cultivated over 1,082,453 hectares. Yield: 579,837 hg/ha. Which country grows the best tomatoes? ChinaThe estimated total world production for tomatoes in 2017 was 182,301,395 metric […]

6 to 8 feet tall. How to Grow and Care for a San Marzano Tomato Plant Common Names San Marzano Tomato Plant Type Annual vegetable plant Size 6 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Sun Exposure Full sun Soil Type Organic, well-draining Do San Marzano tomatoes need to be staked? Aside from […]

Mini tomatoes, also called micro tomatoes, are cultivars genetically developed for their compact size. All parts of the plant– stem, leaves, and fruit– are smaller than typical garden dwarf varieties. What are very tiny tomatoes called? Smaller plum tomatoes are often called grape tomatoes. What are bite sized tomatoes called? Cherry tomatoes are round, bite-sized, […]

Amish Paste tomato plants can reach well over 6 feet in height when growing conditions are favorable. How long do Amish Paste tomatoes grow? SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF AMISH PASTE This is an mid season maturing variety which takes 80 days from transplant to fruit maturity. WHERE TO GROW: Cold greenhouse or outdoors in many areas […]

5-8 ft. tall. One of the easier vegetables to grow Common Name Heirloom tomato, open-pollinated tomato Plant Type Annual, fruit Size 5-8 ft. tall Sun Exposure Full sun Soil Type Loamy, well-drained Do heirloom tomatoes need a trellis? Because most heirlooms form big, vigorous plants, they require a tall tunnel and a strong trellising system. […]