| Tomato history is an interesting one. Historians believe | | | | 1940s CBS radio broadcast. Colonel Robert Gibbon |
| the origin of tomatoes can be traced to the coastal | | | | Johnson of Salem County, New Jersey, had first |
| highlands of Central and South America where they | | | | introduced the tomato to the United States from |
| grow wild in the countries of Ecuador and Peru. They | | | | abroad in 1808. After offering an annual prize for the |
| were cultivated in ancient Mexico. | | | | largest tomato, he promised a public demonstration to |
| Name Origins | | | | prove that the tomato was safe to eat and not |
| The name tomato comes from the word 'tomatl' in | | | | merely ornamental. In 1820 on the steps of the Salem |
| Nahuan, the language of the Aztecs of Central | | | | courthouse a crowd of cheering spectators gathered |
| America (Aztecan). Interestingly the word 'chocolate' | | | | to watch the poor fellow die from consumption of the |
| has Nahuan origins as well. | | | | poisonous fruit. Colonel Johnson bravely told the crowd |
| Introduced to Europe | | | | he would eat an entire basketful and survive. To the |
| Spanish explorers are credited with introducing the | | | | possible chagrin of the eager crowd the colonel |
| tomato to Europe in the 1500s, where it was called | | | | consumed an entire basket of tomatoes without |
| pomodoro, Spanish for "golden apple". This suggests | | | | keeling over or suffering any ill effects whatsoever. |
| that the first tomatoes brought to Europe were yellow. | | | | Whether the tale is true or not, we do know that the |
| The earliest recorded mention by a European was by | | | | tomato began to become a staple of the American |
| Venetian Pietro Andrea Mattioli, a doctor and naturalist | | | | kitchen. |
| who in the year 1544 recommended seasoning with | | | | Thomas Jefferson's Garden at Monticello |
| salt, pepper and oil. The addition of tomatoes to the | | | | The third president of the United States, Thomas |
| Italian cuisine in the 18th century gave us the current | | | | Jefferson, recorded planting tomatoes in all the years |
| form of the pizza. | | | | he carefully wrote in his "Garden Kalendar" (1809-1824). |
| In the northern part of Europe, however, the history of | | | | Tomatoes commonly appear in the Jefferson family |
| tomatoes tells of a plant that was grown in | | | | recipe collections. Two of his favorite varieties were |
| greenhouses as an ornamental, one that was | | | | the "dwarf" and the "Spanish". Today if you visit his |
| unhealthy at best and possibly poisonous. An English | | | | homestead at Monticello, Virginia, tours of the |
| newspaper published a story in 1864 claiming research | | | | vegetable gardens are available, and a tomato tasting |
| showed the tomato was not only edible, but had health | | | | contest is conducted each year. Recent top finishers |
| benefits. A short time later some growers were | | | | include the Sun Gold, Black Cherry and Rose. |
| already producing tomatoes for consumption and | | | | The Tomato's Popularity Today |
| export. By the 1880s greenhouses built specifically for | | | | The tomato is the most popular garden vegetable |
| raising tomatoes were already dotting the countryside | | | | today. This could be because they are easy to grow |
| around Guernsey, which used to be famous for its | | | | in the family garden, and just a few plants provide an |
| tomato exports. | | | | adequate harvest. The flavor of the homegrown |
| Colonel Johnson's Tomato Stunt | | | | tomato surpasses any you can buy at the local |
| Tomato history includes an episode dramatized in a | | | | market or grocery store. |