Gastropod Canned Tomatoes and the Myth of the San Marzano
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Jan 13, 2026 Canned tomatoes shine as winter heroes, bringing flavor year-round. Discover how turtle poop led to a groundbreaking tomato trait and the evolution of canning in America, driven by the Civil War. The hosts dive into the rise of branded canned products and the Italian heritage intertwined with California's canning industry. Learn how tomato mechanics impact flavor, and find out whether San Marzanos live up to the hype. Plus, get tips on selecting the best canned tomatoes for your pantry!
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Hidden Harvest Of Ripe Canning Tomatoes
- Cynthia and Nicola describe hefting entire tomato plants and finding dozens of ripe fruits hidden under the foliage in a Central Valley field.
- They emphasize how canned/processing tomatoes are harvested ripe, unlike supermarket fresh tomatoes picked green.
War Accelerated Tomato Canning Nationwide
- Canning expanded after the Civil War as soldiers returned wanting preserved goods, creating demand that birthed large-scale tomato canning.
- By 1870 the industry had grown massively, making canned tomatoes a national icon.
Campbell's Branded Beefsteak Tomato
- The episode recounts Joseph Campbell's move to market distinctive canned goods, including a single beefsteak tomato in a can.
- That product foreshadowed modern branded convenience foods like condensed tomato soup.
