... in 1893 the Supreme Courts ruled that a tomato is a vegetable under the Tariff Act of 1883 in Nix vs. Hedden. Botanically, a tomato is a fruit.
Tariffs would play a part in Hawaiian politics during the same decade. Back to the tomato (at this link),
Tuh-MAY-toh or Tuh-MAH-to? Pronunciation doesn't matter when it comes to this fabulous nutritious fruit known as a vegetable. It's hard to believe that such a widely-used food source was once considered deadly poisonous. Available year-round in fresh and preserved forms, there is no shortage of uses for this versatile "vegetable."
French botanist Tournefort provided the Latin botanical name, Lycopersicon esculentum, to the tomato. It translates to "wolfpeach" -- peach because it was round and luscious and wolf because it was erroneously considered poisonous. The botanist mistakenly took the tomato for the wolfpeach referred to by Galen in his third century writings, ie., poison in a palatable package which was used to destroy wolves.
Tuh-MAY-toh or Tuh-MAH-to? Pronunciation doesn't matter when it comes to this fabulous nutritious fruit known as a vegetable. It's hard to believe that such a widely-used food source was once considered deadly poisonous. Available year-round in fresh and preserved forms, there is no shortage of uses for this versatile "vegetable."
French botanist Tournefort provided the Latin botanical name, Lycopersicon esculentum, to the tomato. It translates to "wolfpeach" -- peach because it was round and luscious and wolf because it was erroneously considered poisonous. The botanist mistakenly took the tomato for the wolfpeach referred to by Galen in his third century writings, ie., poison in a palatable package which was used to destroy wolves.
For paranormal fans, have you read any references to wolfpeach in wolf-shape-shifter stories? The tomato again,
The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. In 1519, Cortez discovered tomatoes growing in Montezuma's gardens and brought seeds back to Europe where they were planted as ornamental curiosities, but not eaten. Most likely the first variety to reach Europe was yellow in color, since in Spain and Italy they were known as pomi d'oro, meaning yellow apples. Italy was the first to embrace and cultivate the tomato outside South America.
The French referred to the tomato as pommes d'amour, or love apples, as they thought them to have stimulating aphrodisiacal properties.
The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. In 1519, Cortez discovered tomatoes growing in Montezuma's gardens and brought seeds back to Europe where they were planted as ornamental curiosities, but not eaten. Most likely the first variety to reach Europe was yellow in color, since in Spain and Italy they were known as pomi d'oro, meaning yellow apples. Italy was the first to embrace and cultivate the tomato outside South America.
The French referred to the tomato as pommes d'amour, or love apples, as they thought them to have stimulating aphrodisiacal properties.
Who doesn't love pizza? pasta slathered in sauce? garden fresh salad topped with ripe red tomatoes? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Friday, May 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Thanks for so many interesting facts about tomatoes. I'm happy to say that I've learned some new things today.
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes. I love them in various ways, i.e. Cheese and Tomato sandwich, grilled tomatoes on toast, tomatoes and cucumber mixed with Balsamic vinegar. I also love them fried, in pasta sauce and most especially I love them on their own, sprinked with salt and pepper with some brown bread and butter.
Did I say that I love tomatoes? lol
Love pizza! And I'll be cooking with tomatoes tonight. Thanks for a fun post, Kim.
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes! They are at their best when they are homegrown. My grandfather had a small farm and we would just pick them and eat them. I love anything with tomato sauce and I love them in salads and sandwiches. I've even eaten tomato sandwiches! lol
ReplyDeleteA hot delicious pizza, some wine and my handsome husband...yup aphrodisiac. =)
ReplyDeleteFun info on tomatoes, I can say I learned something today!
I do love tomatoes and pizza. No salad is complete without some cherry tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. I like pizza.
ReplyDeleteI have to limit my tomato consumption. They bother my skin.
ReplyDeleteI Love tomatoes - I live in New Jersey & we have wonderful tomatoes - unfortunately they are in season for only about tow months.
ReplyDeleteOne wonders whether the Supreme Court ever admitted its mistake?
ReplyDeleteYum love tomatoes, great pics lol Ty
ReplyDeleteKimh
Oh, I love them and anything made with them. There is nothing better than a picked off the vine fresh tomato. I grow some in pots during our summer in PA. I have limited space so the cherry tomatoes seem to grow the best. We're never suppose to plant until after mother's day so the time is near!
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes. I have some yellow cherry tomatoes growing in a pot just outside the door. They taste like sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes so much can't believe it used to be considered poisonous. That is ridiculous , Aretha zheb
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes. I love to make them in a nice tomato salad.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't known these things about the tomato but it is interesting to imagine people growing them as ornamental.
ReplyDeleteI wish I loved tomatoes, but I don't. I do love pizza though, so maybe that counts, at least a little bit?
ReplyDeleteLove tomatoes!! The Roma is probably my favorite, though. Thanks for sharing the tomato info.
ReplyDeleteI love tomatoes. A few years back we grew our own tomotoes (the mini-ones) and I really like eating them. I like them a little crisp but still soft.
ReplyDelete