Everything Everywhere Daily The History of the Tomato (Encore)
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Jan 12, 2025 Dive into the captivating history of tomatoes, once feared and misunderstood. Discover how these vibrant fruits transitioned from ornamental curiosities in South America to essential ingredients in global cuisines. Learn about the evolution of tomato production and the key figures who transformed them into a culinary staple. The podcast unpacks the economic significance of tomatoes and their diverse varieties around the world, revealing why they have become a beloved food.
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Tomato: Fruit or Vegetable?
- Tomatoes are fruits from a culinary standpoint, as they are the seed-bearing part of a plant.
- Culinarily, they're often considered vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini.
Tomato Origins and Domestication
- Tomatoes originated in western South America and were likely small, like berries.
- The Maya people in southern Mexico first cultivated them around 500 BC, creating diverse varietals.
Early Tomato Documentation
- Friar Bernardino de Sahagún documented Aztecs using tomatoes in the 1540s.
- He observed diverse tomato types and sauces in the Tenochtitlan market, described in the Florentine Codex.