How Did This Humble Berry Transform the World’s Plates?
History
The tomato became a staple of global cuisine after the European conquest of the Americas and the resulting Columbian Exchange—a period of extensive trade that introduced plants, animals, and diseases across continents. Despite its association with Italian cuisine, the tomato initially faced resistance in Europe, particularly among the nobility, who regarded the low-growing vine as unsuitable for refined palates. Even today, some regions in Italy maintain a less enthusiastic attitude toward the fruit.
Native to Peru, the tomato spread to Mesoamerica through both natural processes and human trade. Its name derives from the Nahuatl word tomatl, meaning “fat water,” reflecting the fruit’s juicy nature. At least 2,500 years ago, the Aztecs cultivated various tomato varieties, including xitomatl, or “plump thing with a navel,” which closely resembles modern tomatoes. To the Nahuatl people, tomatl symbolized fertility and sustenance.
Details
✍️ Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum
📍 USDA Zones: 3 to 11
🧑🌾 Difficulty: Easy
🍽 Flavor: Juicy, sweet, sour, savory, tangy, tart
🥔 Uses: Folk medicine, food
💪 Nutrition: Vitamins C, K, and potassium
🌎 Origin: Peru, domesticated in Mexico
🌱 Related: Belladonna (Nightshade family), eggplants, mandrake, peppers, potatoes, tobacco
🌿 Companions: Asparagus, basil, borage, broccoli, calendula, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, marigold, geranium, grapevine, marigold, marjoram, nasturtiums, onions, oregano, parsley, and stinging nettle
🚫 Avoid near: Apple, apricot, beets, brassicas, corn, dill, eggplant, fennel, potatoes, rosemary, walnuts
🐛 Pests: Aphids, birds, blister beetles, corn earworms, cutworms, flea beetles, hornworms, mammals, root-knot nematodes, slugs/snails, spider mites, whitefly
🐝 Pollinators: self-fertile, bees, etc.
🥔 Varieties:
Cherry & Grape Tomatoes (Small & Snackable)
Sungold – A famous orange cherry tomato, extremely sweet and productive.
Black Cherry – A dark purple cherry tomato with a rich, complex flavor.
Sweet Million – Produces abundant, super-sweet red cherry tomatoes.
Yellow Pear – A small, pear-shaped yellow tomato with a mild taste.
Juliet – A grape tomato with excellent disease resistance and long shelf life.
Heirloom Tomatoes (Rich Flavor, Unique Shapes & Colors)
Brandywine – A large, pink beefsteak heirloom with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Cherokee Purple – A deep purplish-red variety with a smoky, sweet flavor.
Mortgage Lifter – A giant, meaty tomato developed for its high yield and flavor.
Green Zebra – A small green tomato with yellow stripes and a tangy, zesty taste.
Black Krim – A dark, almost black tomato with a rich, salty-sweet flavor.
Beefsteak Tomatoes (Large & Juicy, Great for Slicing)
Big Beef – A hybrid with classic tomato flavor and excellent disease resistance.
Pineapple – A yellow-red bicolor with a fruity, sweet taste.
Beefmaster – A large, meaty tomato that can weigh over a pound.
German Johnson – A pink heirloom with excellent flavor, often used in sandwiches.
Paste Tomatoes (Best for Sauces & Canning)
San Marzano – A famous Italian variety, perfect for sauce due to its dense flesh and low moisture.
Roma – The classic paste tomato, commonly used in Italian cooking.
Amish Paste – An heirloom with a balance of sweetness and acidity, great for sauce.
Opalka – A long, pepper-shaped tomato with very few seeds and thick flesh.
Unique & Unusual Varieties
White Beauty – A rare, creamy-white tomato with a mild, sweet flavor.
Indigo Rose – A deep purple tomato high in anthocyanins (antioxidants).
Reisetomate – A bumpy, lobed tomato that looks like multiple cherry tomatoes fused together.
Blue Gold Berries – Small tomatoes with a blue-purple top and yellow bottom, high in antioxidants.
Folklore
Tomatoes, like other plants, exhibit remarkable responses to their environment, which has inspired both scientific research and cultural folklore. Studies have shown that when attacked by pests, tomato plants release airborne chemicals that nearby plants detect, enabling them to produce their own defensive compounds. This phenomenon has led some to view plants as sentient beings capable of communication and self-preservation.
In Mexican and Central American folklore, tomatoes are sometimes considered protective fruits, believed to ward off negative energy when placed near entrances. Their vibrant red color symbolizes vitality, passion, and strength. Additionally, ancient Nahuatl-speaking peoples believed plants possessed spiritual essences that could influence human well-being.
Growth & Harvest
A multitude of tomato kinds exist. Some are determinate, such as the saucy Roma, which means they only grow so big - sort of bushy-like. Others are indeterminate like cherry varieties - which means they grow as big as conditions allow. Both categories benefit from staking or vertical support.
Most varieties of this nightshade do self-pollinate, though any help is appreciated. Europeans first thought they were poisonous. Every part of this plant, except the berry, is mildly toxic to humans. Wild tomatoes produce a natural, potent enzyme - on their sticky trichomes, which acts as a pest repellent and insecticide. Bred varieties had this stickiness removed.
One study showed when a tomato is under attack, it releases a stress pheromone into the air. Nearby tomatoes detect and convert this airborne pheromone into another pesticide - with a 50% effectiveness rate in killing predators. Some plants benefit from being planted near tomatoes, and vice versa.
Culinary Tradition
Tomatoes are integral to countless dishes worldwide, including ketchup, sauces, soups, pizzas, salads, and salsas. Their acidity enhances the flavor of other ingredients, while their natural sweetness balances savory dishes. For a unique twist, try fermenting tomatoes into wine—a surprisingly sweet beverage with honey-like notes.
The Cherokee Purple tomato is an heirloom variety with a rich history connected to the Cherokee people. According to popular accounts, the seeds were passed down through generations of the Cherokee Nation before being shared with a Tennessee gardener named J.D. Green in the late 20th century.
Green, recognizing the tomato’s unique qualities—its deep purple-red flesh, rich flavor, and historical significance—shared the seeds with horticulturist Craig LeHoullier in 1990. LeHoullier introduced the variety to the broader gardening community, naming it Cherokee Purple in honor of its origin.
This tomato became beloved for its exceptional taste, balanced between sweet and tangy, as well as its beautiful, dusky rose and purple hues. Its popularity helped spark a wider appreciation for heirloom vegetables, preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients:
4 large green tomatoes
2 eggs
½ cup milk
1 cup flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Black pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl.
Place flour on one plate and mix cornmeal, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper on another.
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Slice tomatoes horizontally, discarding stems and tips.
Dredge each slice in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat with the crumb mixture.
Fry slices in hot oil, ensuring they do not overlap. Flip when golden brown and drain on paper towels.
Serve warm and enjoy!
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