Tomato: The Magical Food of the New World

Author: (USA) Smith
Translator: Xu Qifeng
Country: United States
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits and vegetables in the world today, beloved by people regardless of wealth, status, or geography. From the Americas to Australia, from Northern Europe to South Africa, tomatoes have satisfied people's cravings. However, before the 18th century, eating tomatoes was once taboo because people believed they were poisonous. Another view held that tomatoes were an aphrodisiac, earning them the name "love fruit," which led to missionaries banning their consumption. Who was the first person to eat a tomato? How did tomatoes travel from South America across the ocean to North America, Europe, and the rest of the world? How did they evolve from a mythical poison into a widely loved trendy food? Author Andrew Smith explores these fascinating questions through compelling research, tracing the history of tomatoes in human diets.