10 Fun Facts About Tomatoes
- Tomatoes Are Not Always Red.
- There Are Over 10 Thousand Varieties Of Tomato.
- Tomatoes Are Technically A Fruit.
- Tomatoes Have Been to Space.
- The First Tomatoes were Gold and Considered an Aphrodisiac.
- China is the Largest Producer of Tomatoes.
- There’s Some Guinness Book Of World Records Tomatoes.
What is unique about a tomato?
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that is good for the heart and effective against certain cancers. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamins A and C, calcium and potassium.
How did tomatoes get their name?
The wild species originated in the Andes Mountains of South America, probably mainly in Peru and Ecuador, and is thought to have been domesticated in pre-Columbian Mexico; its name is derived from the Náhuatl (Aztec) word tomatl.
Do tomatoes live forever?
How long can a tomato plant live? A tomato plant typically lives for one growing season (6-8 months) when grown outdoors, but when nurtured in ideal or controlled growing conditions indoors, tomato plants can survive between 2-5 years. Propagating healthy cuttings may also extend its life indefinitely.
Are there 10000 types of tomatoes?
There are more than 10,000 tomato varieties available.
What is the largest tomato ever grown?
Grown by Dan Sutherland (USA), the heaviest tomato weighed 10 lb 12.7 oz (4.896 kg) when measured in Walla Walla, Washington, USA, on 15 July 2020. The achievement was authenticated by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC). The tomato was of the “Domingo” variety.
Why is tomato good for you?
Tomatoes are loaded with a substance called lycopene. It gives them their bright red color and helps protect them from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In much the same way, it can help protect your cells from damage. Tomatoes also have potassium, vitamins B and E, and other nutrients.
What is a pink tomato?
This popular beefsteak-sized, Amish tomato produces rosy pink fruits loaded with an old-fashioned tomato taste that has been prized for decades. It is considered one of the benchmarks for intense tomato flavor. The indeterminate vines are vigorous, so use tall cages.
What tomatoes are purple?
Purple tomato varieties include: Black Beauty, Cherokee Purple, Dwarf Purple Heart, Evan’s Purple Pear, Indigo Ruby, Marizol Purple, Owen’s Purple, Purple Bumble Bee, Purple Reign, Purple Russian, Sunshine Blue, and Wine Jug. There are dozens of other purple tomato varieties besides these ones.
Who first ate tomatoes?
The tomato was eaten by the Aztecs as early as 700 AD and called the “tomatl,” (its name in Nahuatl), and wasn’t grown in Britain until the 1590s.
Can dogs eat tomatoes?
Ripe tomatoes are considered nontoxic to dogs and can be fed in moderation as an occasional snack. While it’s considered safe for dogs to eat red, ripe tomatoes, the plants themselves are part of the nightshade family of vegetables (which also include potatoes, bell peppers, and blueberries).
Were tomatoes once poisonous?
It first appeared in print in 1595. A member of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous (although the leaves are poisonous) by Europeans who were suspicious of their bright, shiny fruit. Native versions were small, like cherry tomatoes, and most likely yellow rather than red.
How old is the oldest tomato plant?
Scientists searching a prehistoric lake bed in southern Argentina recently uncovered the fossilized remains of a tomato that dates back 52.2 million years.
How long can tomatoes go without sun?
Light Requirements for Tomatoes to Grow
The simple answer to questions on light requirements for tomatoes is that you need a minimum of six hours to produce fruit, but eight or more hours of sun will produce the best results in terms of how many tomatoes you get.
How long will tomatoes grow?
Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety (see more about varieties below). Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring.
What is the best eating tomato?
The Best Tasting Tomato Varieties
- Aunt Ruby’s German Green Tomato. Aunt Ruby’s German Green is a large, yellow-green tomato with a balanced taste of sweet and tart.
- Black Krim Tomato.
- Brandywine Tomato.
- Cherokee Purple Tomato.
- Ferris Wheel Tomato.
- Paul Robeson Tomato.
- German Red Strawberry Tomato.
- Georgia Streak Tomato.
What is the best tomato?
The Best Tomato Varieties
- Azoychka. via Urban Farmer.
- Amana Orange. via Rare Seeds.
- Delicious. via Burpee.
- Dixie Golden Giant. via Totally Tomatoes.
- Cherokee Purple. via Bonnie Plants.
- Better Boy. via Bonnie Plants.
- Green Zebra. via Rare Seeds.
- Early Girl. via Tomato Growers Supply Company.
What is a big tomato called?
Beefsteak tomatoes are some of the largest cultivated tomatoes around, with a meaty texture and intense, classic-tomato flavor. They’re typically red or pink, certain varieties of beefsteak tomatoes yield purple, black, or yellow fruit.
What is the smallest tomato?
“The World’s Smallest Tomato”, The Tomberry® tomato is about 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter with an average fruit weight of 1 to 2 grams, perfect for snacking.
Which country grows the most tomatoes?
China
The biggest producer of tomatoes in 2016 was China by far with more than 50 million tons harvested, followed by India, USA, Turkey and Egypt. Italy, Iran, Spain, Brazil and Mexico complete the top 10. Overall tomatoes are harvested in more than 170 countries.
What was the world’s largest pizza?
The world’s largest pizza as measured by the Guinness Book of World Records had a surface area of 13,580 ft²! It was made in Rome, Italy on December 13th, 2012. The pizza, named “Ottavia” after the Roman Emperor, was made by Dovilio Nardi, Andrea Mannocchi, Marco Nardi, Matteo Nardi, and Matteo Giannotte from NIPfood.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.