Whether nestled atop pizza, standing out in salads or crushed into sauces, tomatoes are a key ingredient in cooking around the world. However, it may surprise you to know that it hasn’t always been that way!
The tomato originated in South America, and though eaten by the Aztecs in Mesoamerica as early as 700 A.D., it was only in the early 1800s that it became a popular cooking ingredient in the Mediterranean.
There are various theories as to how it arrived in Europe. One is that it was brought to the continent after the Spanish conquest. Then from Spain, it went to Italy thanks to close relations between the reigning families at the time. Others believe that the tomato went from Peru or Mexico over to France.
Whatever the journey, Europeans initially just considered the tomato a decorative item or botanical curiosity. In fact, people thought it was poisonous because, like other plants in the nightshade family, it contains solanine, a neurotoxin.
Fast forward several hundred years and tomatoes are commercially produced and eaten around the world with many benefits.
So, what do tomatoes do for our modern world?
1) Provide health benefits
Tomatoes are little dietary superheroes and eating them as part of a balanced diet brings plenty of health benefits. Just one small raw tomato is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It can boost heart health due to the high levels of fibre and potassium, which help prevent cardiovascular diseases. It contains several vitamins including vitamin C, which boosts our immune systems and vitamin K, which is essential for strong bones.