Tomatoes are native to South America , in fact, several species are still found growing wild in the Andes. Brought to Mexico, tomatoes were domesticated and cultivated there by 500 BC. It is thought that the first cultivated tomato was small and yellow.
Where do tomatoes come from?
Tomato plants are from tropical regions in South America (Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands). From America, tomatoes were brought back to Europe by Spanish explorers. They soon spread throughout the world to Italy, England, India, China, the U. S, and beyond. Of course, tomatoes did not always look like they do today.
Where do tomatoes grow in the wild?
The original tomato plants grew in tropical parts of South America , with fruit no larger than cherries. Tomato plants have 16 wild relatives that are native to a coastal area of northwestern South America that includes Ecuador to Chile and the Galapagos Islands.
One of the next things we wanted the answer to was, what is the origin of tomato?
I the species originated in western South America. The Nahuatl (Aztec language) word tomatl gave rise to the Spanish word “tomate”, from which the English word tomato derived. Its use as a cultivated food may have originated with the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
What is the scientific name of tomato?
The tomato (see pronunciation) is the edible fruit of Solanum lycopersicum , commonly known as a tomato plant, which belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The species originated in Central and South America.
It is thought that the first cultivated tomato was small and yellow . Columbus and/or Cortez brought tomatoes to Europe and the Spanish explorers took them throughout the world. The tomato became popular in Spain by the early 17th century, where it thrived in the Mediterranean climate and became a staple food.
Are tomatoes native to italy?
Tomatoes are not native to Italy . As mentioned earlier, tomatoes were brought to Italy in the 16 th or 17 th century, where they eventually caught on as an important part of the cuisine.
From Naples , tomato-eating gradually spread over the Spanish-dominant parts of Italy, and then beyond says Del Soldato — although you’ll still find less tomato in northern regions.
Different areas of Italy favor different varieties of tomato. The tomato, it turns out, has always been political . Brought to Europe by the Spanish when they colonized the Americas — it’s an Aztec plant, as we can tell by its original name, “tomatl” — by the mid-1500s, it had made its way to Italy.
Are Tomatoes edible?
Edible berry of the tomato plant, originating in South America. The tomato is the edible , often red, berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant. The species originated in western South America and Central America.
Where do tomatillos come from?
Tomatoes do come in a wide variety of colors, including golden yellow, but along with tomatoes, tomatillos also came from the Americas –many of which are also yellow. In Italy, the tomato more than likely prospered because of its near-tropical climate. The tomato can be grown all year long in tropical temperatures.