The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family, as are its close cousins tobacco, chili peppers, potato, and eggplant. The tomato is native to Central, South, and southern North America from Mexico to Peru. It is a perennial, often grown outdoors in temperate climates as an annual, typically reaching to 1–3 m (3 to 10 feet) in height, with a weak, woody stem that often vines over other plants. Source: Wikipedia
Health PropertiesTomatoes are now eaten freely throughout the world, and their consumption is believed to benefit the heart among other things. Lycopene, one of nature's most powerful antioxidants, is present in tomatoes, and, especially when tomatoes are cooked, has been found beneficial in preventing prostate cancer.However, other research contradicts this claim. Tomato extract branded as Lycomato is now also being promoted for treatment of high blood pressure. Source: Wikipedia |
CelebrationsThe town of Buñol, Spain, annually celebrates La Tomatina, a festival centered on an enormous tomato fight. Tomatoes are also a popular "non-lethal" throwing weapon in mass protests; and there is a common tradition of throwing rotten tomatoes at bad performers on a stage, although this tradition is more symbolic today. Embracing it for this protest connotation, the Dutch Socialist party adopted the tomato as their logo. Source: Wikipedia |
Food of Love?Tomatoes' status as an aphrodisiac may be due to a mistranslation. Legend has it a Frenchman on his travels ate a meal with tomatoes in it and was fascinated with the new taste. He went back to the chef, who was Italian, and asked him what this new ingredient was. The chef said "Pomme de' Moors" (Apple of the Moors), but the Frenchman misunderstood and thought he said "Pomme d'Amore" (Apple of Love). The modern Italian word for tomato is "pomodoro." Source: Wikipedia |
Hey Good Lookin'"Tomato" also has been used as a slang word for an attractive woman. This use was most common from the 1920s through the 1940s and only within the USA. Source: Wikipedia |
AllspiceAlso known as Jamaican pepper. It tastes like a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg bit it is an actual spice. The berries are slightly brown in colour and darker than coriander seeds; however, the spice is the most popular in its ground form. It may be used in savoury and sweet dishes. |