Tomato - The Magic Fantasy Food of the New World

Author: (USA) Smith
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Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits and vegetables in the world today, cherished by people regardless of wealth, status, or region. 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," and as a result, they were banned by missionaries at the time. Who was the first person to eat a tomato? How did the tomato travel from South America across the ocean to North America, Europe, and all over the world? How did it evolve from a legendary poison into a highly popular trendy food? Author Andrew Smith explores these fascinating questions through compelling research, depicting the history of tomatoes in human diets.