About the Tomato

Check out this Nutritional Information link.

Fun Tomato Knowledge Quiz!

In what year did the US Supreme Court rule that the tomato is a vegetable and not a fruit?

• 1893
• 1999
• 1800
• 1776

You might be surprised to learn that the United States government settled the fruit-or-vegetable debate more than a hundred years ago. Botanically speaking, tomatoes are fruits, because they are the seed-carrying ovaries of a flowering plant. In the case of Nix vs. Hedden, the Supreme Court ruled in 1893 that tomatoes are a "vegetable" based on the way they are used, which meant they could be taxed.

What is the best type of knife to use when slicing a tomato?

• Paring
• Serrated
• Flat edged
• Cleaver

Knives that are serrated, or have teeth, more effectively slice tomatoes. Unless they are razor sharp, flat-edged knives often squish the tomato without breaking the skin, creating a messy slicing process.

Which of the following is NOT a variety heirloom tomato?

• Granny Smith
• Mortgage Lifter
• Cherokee Purple
• Green Zebra

Though much pricier than standard tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes are bred for their outstanding flavors, rich colors, and myriad sizes. The seeds are referred to as "heirloom" because they have been passed down through many growing seasons and haven't ever been cross-pollinated. Many have unusual names, such as Brandywine, Amish Paste, Mr. Stripey, and Yellow Pear.

Tomatoes are native to which continent?

• Asia
• Australia
• South America
• Europe

Wild tomatoes first grew in western South America from Ecuador to Chile and the Galapágos Islands, but according to the USDA, botanists have long disagreed about where the cultivated species originated exactly. Some say Peru, while others say Mexico.

Tomatoes grow best in which climate?

• Shady
• Sunny
• Rainy
• Windy

Full sunlight and abundant air circulation are recommended when growing tomatoes. The soil should be well drained and kept rich with compost or manure.

Tomatoes are rich in which vitamins?

• D and L
• K and K
• A and C
• B6 and B12

Vitamin A promotes good night vision and aids in the growth of skin, bones, and male and female reproductive organs. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels and aids in the absorption of iron.

Lycopene, a nutrient found in tomatoes is being studied for its ability to prevent what ailment?

• Cancer
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Dry Skin

Lycopene is a carotenoid, an antioxidant substance responsible for making tomatoes red. In studies, people who consume large amounts of lycopene have a reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration. Go, tomatoes!

What is the easiest way to peel a tomato?

• Put in freezer for a few minutes
• Dunk it in boiling water for a few seconds
• Roll it between your palm and the table
• Bake it for five minutes

Dunking a tomato in boiling water for about 10 seconds causes the tomato skin to loosen from the tomato flesh. Then transfer the tomato to a bowl of ice water, using a slotted spoon, to stop the cooking. The skin should peel off easily, especially if you cut a small "x" on the bottom of the tomato before placing it in the boiling water.

What makes a tomato mealy?

• Picking them too soon
• Storing them at too warm a temperature
• Leaving them on the vine too long
• Storing them at too cold a temperature

When tomatoes are stored at temperatures below 55 degrees (a refrigerator is usually kept at around 40 degrees), the natural sugars convert to starch, creating a mealy texture. Tomatoes are best stored on the counter away from direct heat or sunlight.