The World's Most Popular Vegetable: The Tomato and Its Mysterious History
Do you want to know which vegetable is the most produced in the world? According to data, the tomato holds the first place in this field. Every year, more than 182 million tons of tomatoes are produced worldwide, which accounts for approximately 17 percent of all global vegetable production.
Asian countries, particularly China and India, lead the way in tomato production. Interestingly, in the list of the most produced vegetables, onions and cucumbers follow the tomato.
The history of the tomato (scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum), which belongs to the nightshade family, is quite fascinating. Its homeland is considered to be South America, and it began to be domesticated in Mexico around 700 BC.
Brought to Europe by Spanish travelers in the 16th century, this plant was kept away from kitchens for a long time:
- Initially, tomatoes were grown in gardens and homes only as ornamental plants for their beauty.
- Because of the fear that they might be poisonous, they were called "poison apples." However, due to their appealing appearance, they were also given names like "golden apple" and "love apple."
- It was only in the 18th century that their nutritional value was accepted, and by the 19th century, tomatoes became an indispensable part of tables all over the world.
Today, science has fully proven that the vitamins and antioxidants (especially lycopene) found in tomatoes are among the most beneficial substances for human health.
