Tomatoes with popcorn flavor started to be grown in China

Chinese specialists have developed a variety of tomatoes with the aroma of popcorn. These tomatoes were grown in an experimental greenhouse in Zhejiang province in eastern the People's Republic of China. Xu Shengchun, deputy director of the central laboratory of the Biotechnology Research Institute of Agricultural Sciences, made a statement regarding the new variety. The "South China Morning Post" quotes the scientist: "We aimed for the invention of such flavored tomatoes to satisfy the demands of modern consumers and sell them at a premium price. Achieving this flavor did not damage the yield of the tomatoes in any way." During the research, scientists blocked two aroma genes. After that, the tomato began to emit an uncharacteristic smell. That smell turned out to be very similar to the scent of fresh hot popcorn fried in butter. The tomato is a highly demanded vegetable in almost every kitchen in the world. Chinese specialists working on various varieties of tomatoes have noticed a disappearing fact behind these demands — that the traditional tastes and smells of tomatoes are gradually fading. Now, scientists aim to enrich tomatoes with characteristic tastes and aromas. "The flowering time, height, fruit weight, and the levels of sugar and organic acids in this new variety of tomato remained unchanged," the Chinese specialists reported.