Tomato facts

The Tomato is a savory, typically red, edible fruit, Originating in South America. Tomatoes are botanically Fruits, since it is used in cooking it is considered as vegetable too. French botanist Tournefort provided the Latin botanical name, Lycopersicon esculentum, to the tomato. The high acidic content of the tomato makes it a prime candidate for canning, which is one of the main reasons the tomato was canned more than any other fruit or vegetable. Tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous (although the leaves are poisonous) by Europeans.

Tomato contains Vitamin A and B. It has some disease fighting elements like lycopene with a mere 35 calories per medium tomato. Tomatoes provide potassium, iron, phosphorous and some B vitamins. They are low in sodium and contain no cholesterol. They are also source of dietary fiber, containing about as much fiber as a slice of whole wheat bread.

Store tomatoes at room temperature. Never put tomatoes in the refrigerator, the cool temperatures will stop the ripening process and ruin the tomato flavor. Also storing tomatoes next to bananas will make them ripen quicker. Bananas and tomatoes both emit a naturally occurring ripening gas called ethylene, and when you store the two together, they both ripen rapidly. If you need to ripen your tomato quickly, store it in a paper bag.


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