A tomato is a berry, fruit or vegetable from the point of view of the layman and science

The familiar tomato, also known as nightshade or tomato, is a summer guest, without which not a single seasonal salad can do. Tomatoes are often eaten fresh due to their juiciness and taste; sauces and even desserts are made from it. In cosmetology, nightshade is used as a natural ingredient that helps fight rashes, age spots or acne.

History of tomatoes

Humanity has known about tomatoes for a long time, two hundred thousand years ago, but they were afraid to consume them as a complete food.
For a long time, tomatoes were called inedible and even poisonous and were grown as exotic ornamental plants. As a result, it was found that the fruits are quite safe, but the stems of the plant are dangerous. An interesting fact is that they are used as a natural poison for most garden and garden pests. These fruits received the name “tomatoes” thanks to the Italians, who fell in love with these wonderful berries, which they called golden apples, translated from Italian pomo d’oro. And the French called this red juicy fruit, which somewhat resembles a heart, pomme d'amoure - apples of love. The Aztecs called the colorful fruit matl, or large berry. As a result, both names - tomato and tomato - caught on equally and are used to this day.

Tomatoes in medicine and in everyday life

In addition to its bright taste, the plant is widely popular in folk medicine. Not only the fruits, but also the stems are used for medicinal purposes. A bath of brewed tops has an effective anti-inflammatory effect for the feet.

Daily use of freshly squeezed tomato juice strengthens the immune system, and also helps cope with stomach diseases and normalizes metabolism.

In addition, tomato is considered an excellent cough remedy. You just need to chop the vegetable, mix it with garlic and eat it with meals.

In cosmetology

With the help of this plant they get rid of wen, for which the skin is treated with a piece of the vegetable. Tomato also gives the skin a healthy complexion and protects it from exposure to sunlight. The fruit is used in the manufacture of cosmetic creams: it has an antioxidant effect and a rejuvenating effect, smoothes wrinkles and reduces pores.

Green tomato is actively used in cosmetology. Thanks to its properties, it helps reduce inflammation and itching, accelerate skin restoration and scar healing.

In other words, the plant has rich reserves of vitamins and beneficial elements. Regular use of the product has a beneficial effect not only on internal organs, but also improves the condition of the skin.

Tomato in cosmetology

Paradoxically, the bright color of tomato is used to reduce pigmentation on the skin. Tomato masks and lotions help oily, problem skin.

Homemade tomato mask

This mask is used for deep cleansing of the skin. What you will need for preparation:

• juice of one tomato;
• 100 ml milk;
• a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Mix all ingredients and apply to previously cleansed face. The exposure time is about 15 minutes, then the mask needs to be washed off and the skin moisturized with your cream. You can make a scrub from such a mask if you add a little bran to it.

The scrub can be used up to 3 times a day; after application, the product is washed off with warm water and then moisturized with cream or lotion. The effect after the mask is visible immediately. The skin becomes noticeably brighter and cleaner, and inflammation immediately decreases.

A little history

America is considered the birthplace of tomatoes. It is said that wild varieties of this plant can still be found in South America. Christopher Columbus introduced them to Europeans back in the 15th century. Local residents called the fruit that interested the navigator a word that roughly sounded like “tomatl”, hence the name of the crop - tomato. And the word “tomato” was invented by the Italians, who called the tomato fruit the golden apple. But for a long time this fruit was considered inedible by Europeans; it was grown for decorative purposes and used to decorate garden gazebos, greenhouses, and window sills. For a couple of centuries, Europe cultivated the plant, not knowing that its beautiful fruits were tasty and healthy, since the Bible did not mention them.

In the 18th century, the question of edibility was resolved in favor of tomatoes, they began to be eaten, and they even came to Russia. But at first, the crop was cultivated solely for decoration - the fruits did not ripen completely, so it was not possible to correctly evaluate their taste.

With the light hand of agronomist Bolotov, tomatoes began to be grown in gardens using seedlings specifically for food. They were considered a vegetable crop. This is how Russian cuisine discovered tomatoes, and very soon they began to be served with meat and fish.

It is difficult to say today who first invented tomato sauce; the Italians and the French claim the palm, but the whole world happily consumes a lot of different sauces, purees and gravies made from tomatoes.

The question of whether tomato fruits belong to fruits, vegetables or berries was so acute that in 1893 it was decided by the US Supreme Court. The fact is that the amount of customs duty depended on the solution of this seemingly only linguistic issue. So, the US Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes should be considered vegetables, despite the fact that botanists call them fruits (that is, fruits). Needless to say, fruits were not subject to duties, unlike vegetables.

More than a hundred years later, on another continent, the same question arose again. Despite the fact that throughout the world, tomato fruits are commonly called vegetables, and in scientific literature – berries, the issue has not been considered resolved at the legislative level. The relevant authorities of the European Union decided in 2001 that tomatoes are fruits

This is probably also important for customs duties. So, if someone wants to bring tomatoes from Rome to Washington, during the flight across the ocean they will transform from fruits into vegetables

Funny casuistry leaves the question of names open. But this does not prevent tomatoes from being cultivated all over the world. More than 10 thousand varieties of this culture are known. Tomatoes are eaten fresh, boiled, fried, salted, canned, pickled, dried, and prepared into juices, sauces and cocktails. Nutritional and dietary value, abundance of useful elements, positive effect on human health explain why tomatoes are grown in most home gardens or summer cottages, cultivated in greenhouses, conservatories, even on loggias and window sills.

Basic growing rules

When deciding to start growing tomatoes in your garden or summer cottage, you need to consider the following:

1. The soil . This vegetable prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. If the soil is slightly acidic, lime should be used. In cases where the soil is too acidic, sulfate granules are used.
2. Lighting . You should choose a well-lit area with sunshine. Tomato does not like shading.
3. Maintaining crop rotation . You should not plant tomatoes in an area where the same plant crop previously grew, as well as potatoes.
4. Seeds. Should be purchased from reliable manufacturers. When purchasing them, pay attention to the expiration date. Before planting, seed material should be disinfected.

5. Seedling. Must be of good quality. The variety must be zoned and also be resistant to various diseases.

6. Disembarkation scheme. When planting seedlings in the ground, the gap between plants should be about 0.5 m, and between the lines of the beds - about 1 m. Although such parameters depend on the variety.

7. Watering . Carry out under the root with warm, settled water. Sprinkling is unacceptable, as it can cause burns on the leaves. In dry weather, tomatoes are watered every 2-3 days. Do not allow excessive waterlogging, which can cause fungal diseases, but do not allow the soil to dry out.
8. Loosening. Be sure to loosen the soil around the bushes after each watering. This will saturate the plant with oxygen.

9. Hilling up . This process is best done during loosening - it strengthens the root system well.
10. Weeding . Weeds should be removed from the area with tomatoes, as they draw moisture and nutrients and contribute to the spread of diseases and pests.
11. Stepsonning . In the absence of molding and pinching, the yield drops. Only low-growing varieties do not need pinching, and even then not always.
12. Garter. Be sure to tie up the tomatoes if they are not undersized. To do this, use stakes or stretch trellises. Under the weight of the fruit, as well as from gusts of wind, the bush may break.

13. Feeding. They should be applied 3–6 times throughout the growing season. For this purpose, mineral and natural (for example, manure, ash) fertilizers are used.

14. Variety . It is better to plant varieties with different ripening periods. In this case, fresh tomatoes will delight you for a long time. You should choose high-yielding, resistant tomatoes.
15. Diseases and pests . When you detect the first signs of disease or insect pests, use chemicals or folk remedies to combat them.

Did you know? Tomatoes are grown 25%
more than bananas, and 42% more than apples.
China leads among all countries in tomato production (16% of total production). So, a tomato can be called a berry, a vegetable, and a fruit. From a biological point of view, tomatoes are berries, but when solving other issues (domestic, commercial, agricultural) they can be classified differently.

Classification of fruits from a scientific point of view

The final stage of flower development is called the fruit. It is formed under the influence of double fertilization. This is a generative organ that serves for the formation, development and distribution of seeds.

In different countries and at different times, tomato fruits were classified as vegetables, fruits or berries.

The main differences between these fruits.

1. The berry is a multi-seeded fruit, the pulp is juicy, covered with a thin leathery epicarp (outer covering).
2. Fruit is a juicy edible fruit of a bush or tree. This is not a scientific, but a common name. Usually refers to large fruits.
3. Vegetable is a culinary and agricultural term that is quite vague. According to the definition of TSHA professor V.I. Edelshtein, these are “herbaceous plants cultivated for their succulent parts, used for human food.” This group includes plants whose roots, leaves, stems or fruits are eaten.

The place of the vegetable in plant taxonomy: which family does it belong to?

Currently, botanists classify the tomato as a member of the genus Nightshade (Solanum), although previously tomatoes and nightshade were in different genera; it belonged to the genus Lycopersicon, in which 9 species were distinguished.

But it turned out that not all natural descendants of tomatoes belong to this genus. Therefore, plants of the genus Lycopersicon were added to the genus Solanum.

The botanical genus Nightshade belongs to the Solanaceae family. The tomato has all the features of this family: simple leaves, their alternate leaf arrangement, regular flower shape, fruit - a berry (in Solanaceae there is also a capsule; for example, in henbane or dope).

The correct botanical name is Tomato edible, or Tomato edible. Other names: Real, cultivated, ordinary tomato.

In Russia, they often adhere to the old classification, classifying the vegetable in the genus Lycopersicon. This name can also be found in the online plant identifier “Plantarium”.

It refers to the Latin name as Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, and not as in the international classification Solanum lycopersicon.

Currently, botanists classify the tomato as a member of the genus Nightshade (Solanum).

What is a tomato

Let's try to resolve the centuries-old dispute and figure out what this plant is.

Tomato from different points of view

There are three theories about the product category:

• botanical;
• culinary;
• household

According to the first theory, tomatoes are classified as berries, because in botany this term refers to a fruit with juicy pulp, thin skin and the presence of seeds.

Culinary theory says that it is a vegetable. Everything is clear here: we use it mainly when preparing meat, fish, and vegetable salads.

The everyday point of view says that the tomato is cultivated as a vegetable plant. In conversations among themselves, people are accustomed to understanding a tomato only as a vegetable, and not as a fruit or berry.

How tomatoes originated and why the controversy arose

Peru is considered to be the birthplace of the plant. According to archaeological data, ancient people cultivated this culture back in the 5th century BC. Gradually it spread throughout the world. Columbus brought it to Europe in the 15th century. It is assumed that the reason for the dispute over whether it is a vegetable or a fruit lies in the name of the plant.

At the end of the 15th century in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain, the tomato was called the “apple of love.” In the Czech Republic and Hungary it was called the “apple of heaven.” It’s understandable: a round red fruit with pulp inside. This is where numerous theories and names came from.

Appearance in Russia

For our country, tomato is a relatively new plant. They began to grow it only 3 centuries ago. Empress Catherine II liked the taste and appearance of tomatoes so much that she ordered Italian tomatoes to be regularly delivered to the imperial table. In many homes, the plant was grown as an ornamental crop.

If tomato is a fruit, then why?

Europeans call soft, juicy fruits fruit. This is the only basis on which a tomato can be called a fruit plant.

In our country, we are skeptical about this: we do not add tomatoes to sweet dishes, do not pour juice over ice cream, and do not treat children as sweets. Therefore, for our country, a tomato is exclusively a vegetable.

Use in cooking

Tomatoes have spread so widely throughout the world that many popular dishes today simply cannot be imagined without their use. For the most part, tomatoes are used to make seasonings. Suffice it to recall, for example, the familiar ketchup.

It's hard to imagine pizza without tomatoes. Moreover, both the classic Italian recipe and the more modern, most common version of American pizza in the world.

Fresh tomatoes are used in many salads. Interestingly, they can be used both in composition with other vegetables, and without adding a large number of ingredients, being the central component of the dish.

Tomatoes are also used:

• In fast food.
• In soups of different nations of the world.
• With spaghetti or pasta.
• With scrambled eggs, in an omelet.
• For countless salads.
• In baked dishes with meat, potatoes, rice, fish.
• For preparing simple sandwiches and sandwiches.
• In fresh condition.
• Pickled, canned.

Classification by ripening time

In addition to the height of the bushes, many farm owners are interested in the speed of fruit ripening. As a rule, to obtain a bountiful harvest throughout the growing season, varieties with different ripening periods of tomatoes are selected.

According to this classification, the following groups of tomatoes are distinguished:

• Ultra-early ripening is characterized by the fact that the first harvest can be harvested on average within 80 days after planting in the ground. As a rule, these are low-growing varieties with sour fruits. Such taste qualities are explained by the fact that plants develop in conditions of short daylight hours.
• Early ripening ones ripen later, approximately 90-95 after planting. Unlike ultra-early ripening ones, the pulp of early tomatoes is sweet, and the height of the bushes can be either small or medium. Varieties of this group are excellent for growing in temperate and cold climates.
• Mid-early ones ripen even later, about 100 days after planting, but their main feature is that they are suitable for both open ground and greenhouses.
• Mid-season tomatoes produce a bountiful harvest of sweet tomatoes, which can be harvested no earlier than 115 days after planting. At the same time, they develop well both in open beds and in a greenhouse.
• Late-ripening tomatoes tend to be tall, as they require quite a lot of time to develop the main stem and shoots, and about 130 days can pass from planting to harvest. They can be grown in open ground in temperate climates, but it should be borne in mind that such varieties are very sensitive to frost, so at the initial stage they should be equipped with film shelters.

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When choosing a tomato variety based on ripening time, you should take into account not only personal preferences regarding the timing of harvest, but also climatic conditions.

How to store fruits?

Storing tomatoes
Tomatoes should be removed from the bush gradually as they ripen. But if the air temperature drops below +10-12 degrees, then it is recommended to harvest the entire crop and leave the unripe fruits to ripen in a warm place. If this is not done, many tomatoes may turn black.

There are several rules for storing tomatoes:

• Fruits picked ripe should be eaten as quickly as possible. It is advisable to do this within 3-4 days from the date of cleaning. In this case, it is better to store tomatoes at a temperature slightly below room temperature.
• If tomatoes need to ripen, then it is better to place them in a dry room with sufficient ventilation: for example, in a cellar. The main thing is to prevent the fruit from rotting. Therefore, in order to limit the spread of possible rot, it would be a good idea to place the tomatoes in sawdust or dry sand.

In general, it is not recommended to store tomatoes at temperatures that are too cold. It is believed that this significantly reduces their beneficial qualities for humans.

Health benefits and harms

Tomatoes are frequent guests in every home. They are used both fresh and as part of various dishes. It remains to be seen whether tomatoes are healthy.

These fruits are very diverse in their physical characteristics. Depending on the variety, they can have different colors: from pale pink, yellow to red and even brown. The weight of one tomato ranges from 30 g to 1000 g, and the shape can be round, flattened or cylindrical.

Lots of varieties

On a note! Despite such a variety of species, the taste and aroma of tomatoes remains unchanged, and the same chemical composition is maintained.

And then we’ll talk about what fresh tomatoes contain and how they are beneficial for the body.

What vitamins are in tomatoes?

According to experts, these popular fruits are a valuable food product. They include easily digestible carbohydrates, pectins, and organic compounds. In addition, tomatoes contain water-soluble vitamins B, PP, H and C (25 mg per 100 g) and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E. The latter components are contained in lower concentrations and are better absorbed in combination with butter or sour cream.

The product also contains a number of macro- and microelements:

• potassium – 285 mg;
• sodium – 39 mg;
• calcium – 15 mg;
• chlorine – 56 mg;
• phosphorus – 24 mg;
• magnesium – 20 mg;
• sulfur – 13 mg;
• zinc – 200 mcg;
• iodine – 2 mcg;
• copper – 110 mcg;
• boron – 115 mcg;
• iron – 0.9 mg.

Of the organic compounds found in tomatoes, the most valuable are anthocyanins and lycopene. They are antioxidants and protect the cell membrane from free radicals.

Beneficial features

Tomatoes have a beneficial effect on the functioning of many internal organs, which is a reason to include them in the daily diet.

Have a beneficial effect on the body

The benefits of tomatoes for individual systems of the human body are as follows:

1. Improves the functioning of the digestive system. The organic acids contained in these fruits increase appetite, and insoluble fiber improves stomach function. Therefore, tomatoes help in treating constipation.
2. Prevents the formation of malignant tumors. Tomatoes contain several substances that prevent further division of mutating cells and promote their destruction.
3. Prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases. The rich vitamin composition of the product helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels. And the numerous seeds contained in tomatoes prevent the formation of blood clots. These properties are especially relevant for ischemia and hypertension.
4. Normalizes the function of the endocrine system. These fruits help speed up metabolic processes in the body and also enhance the production of insulin.
5. Has an anti-edematous effect. Regular consumption of tomatoes maintains the water-salt balance in the body. They also have a mild diuretic effect.
6. Cleanses the body. Oxalic acid, which is found in tomatoes, turns into an alkali when it enters the body. Thanks to this, the liver and blood are cleansed of harmful toxins.
7. Prevents the development of osteoporosis. This product prevents the leaching of calcium from bones and thereby strengthens them.
8. Promotes skin rejuvenation. Tomatoes enhance collagen production, which helps slow down the aging process. When used externally, it improves skin color and smoothes out fine wrinkles.

Promote weight loss

The calorie content of 100 g of fresh tomatoes is 20 kcal.

The beneficial properties of tomatoes are also well known when used for weight loss. This is due to the fact that this product contains a small amount of starch, which is why it is recommended to be included in various diets.

100 g of fresh tomatoes contain about 110 mcg of folic acid, which is so necessary in preparation for pregnancy. This component reduces the likelihood of abnormalities in fetal development. Consuming 2 medium-sized tomatoes daily provides half the daily requirement of this vitamin.

For what diseases can you not eat?

There are a number of diseases for which it is not recommended to use this product. Ignoring this rule can negatively affect the general condition and provoke a complication of the situation.

Have contraindications

Main contraindications:

• cholelithiasis;
• pancreatitis;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• colitis;
• peptic ulcer.

Attention! It is also not recommended to consume tomatoes for people with individual intolerance to this component.

Nutritional value and composition

Tomato is a dietary food product.
Tomatoes are an almost indispensable product for dietary nutrition. Despite the fact that the leader in water content is the cucumber, the tomato is not much inferior to it (about 94-95 grams per 100 grams of weight).

Another characteristic that is especially valuable for adherents of dietary nutrition is the absence of fat and cholesterol in tomatoes . At the same time, the natural antioxidants contained in the composition help remove excess fats and cholesterol from the body. The second most important positive effect of antioxidants is their very effective prevention of the development of cancer cells.

Vitamins and nutrients from tomatoes are best absorbed by the body if they are consumed raw, in combination with oils (olive, vegetable). But at the same time, the tomato is that rare fruit that retains its beneficial properties during heat treatment , and sometimes even improves its unique qualities.

Nutritional value of tomatoes (per 100 grams of product)

Content of key nutrients in tomatoes

Vitamins (per 100 g of product)

Micro- and macroelements (per 100 grams of product)

History of appearance in Russia

The history of the origin of tomatoes on the territory of the Russian Empire is also mysterious. The exact time of appearance has not been established.

At a time when ornamental tomatoes were admired in gardens in Europe, in the south of what is now Ukraine they were successfully grown as vegetables. Catherine II did not know about this, so she was surprised when the “mad berry” (that’s what tomatoes were called) was delivered to the court by the Russian ambassador in Italy in the summer of 1780.

The first publication about the tomato with a description of the plant was made by the founder of Russian agricultural science A.T. Bolotov (1738-1833) in 1784. He began to explore the plant as an ornamental plant, spreading his passion to other scientists and gardeners. Tomatoes completely conquered the vast expanses of the central zone of the empire by the middle of the 19th century, from where by the beginning of the 20th century they appeared in the northern regions.

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A tomato is a berry, vegetable or fruit. View from different points of view

To figure out how to name a tomato fruit, you need to look at it from different points of view: is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Or berry?

The fruits that we are used to eating are called berries by botanists. The tomato berry is not a simple one; it is called a “multi-star syncarpous berry.” If someone tries to argue with you that this is a vegetable, there is no point in arguing, because this is also true: the plant is grown together with others in the garden, has a herbaceous stem and the fruits are eaten after being grown for one growing season.

Plant products are classified according to several principles, dividing them into groups.

So in the European Union, all juicy fruits of plants are called fruits. Watermelons, melons, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, and beans fall into this category. Vegetables are edible parts of a plant that have a savory taste: all salad plants, potatoes, greens, asparagus stalks, root vegetables, onions, cabbage.

Tomato berry whole and in cross section

Fruits in cooking form a group that consists of sweet fruits: apples, melons, watermelons, mangoes. If you follow this principle, tomatoes can be classified into both groups, because they are a juicy fruit with a non-sweet taste.

What is a tomato: follow the scientific statement “a tomato is a berry” or a vegetable, as we used to call it. Can a tomato be considered a fruit? The confusion stems from the fact that the English language does not see the difference in the terms fruit and fruit.

Back in 1893, a dispute over the collection of customs duties was resolved. The Supreme Court of the United States of America was deciding what to call a tomato: is it a vegetable or is it a berry. The case lasted almost a month. It was initiated by importers of red gifts. In those days, imported fruits were not subject to duty, but vegetables had to be paid customs duty. The court agreed that from a scientific point of view, the tomato fruit is a berry, but in terms of its use it is a vegetable, since it is served for lunch and not for dessert. You have to pay a fee for it.

The second trial to determine the name of the tomato fruit took place in Europe in 2001, when the opposite decision was made: a tomato is a berry or a fruit.

Standard type of tomatoes

Conclusion

Tomato is one of the most common vegetables in the world. Of course, such popularity is quite easy to justify: there is practically no area where it is not used.

You can start simply with the fact that tomatoes are widely used as food, and in the cuisine of many different peoples of the world. Secondly, the beneficial properties of tomatoes are legendary. They are equally successfully used for the prevention of diseases and for treatment as a folk remedy. It is interesting that today there are varieties of tomatoes that are specially grown not for their direct purpose - for consumption - but as a decoration for the garden or windowsill. As a rule, decorative varieties are responsible for this.

Thus, tomatoes absolutely deservedly occupy one of the first places among all crops grown by humans. This is also evidenced by the fact that today more than 10,000 varieties of this fruit have been bred.

The benefits and harms of tomatoes

They have a varied chemical composition. They contain carotenoids, B complex vitamins, as well as vitamins C, P, K.

Of the biogenic elements, they contain a lot of potassium, magnesium, chlorine, phosphorus, and calcium. Other important chemical elements (sulfur, iron, copper, sodium, manganese, etc.) are also present.

In terms of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content, tomatoes are superior to oranges and lemons; they are also one of the record holders in terms of potassium content.

The sweetness of fruits comes from the sugars they contain. Tomatoes also contain pectin, proteins, organic acids, and fiber.

The carotenoid complex of tomatoes includes lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. It reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis, cancer and cataracts.

These berries improve digestion processes and have a choleretic effect. They are useful as a vitamin supplement, as well as for obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, and for those with poor vision who have begun to develop cataracts. Fresh tomato juice helps dissolve gallstones.

The fruits of the plant have also been found to have phytoncidal properties, due to which the fruits, ground into a pulp, are used to heal purulent wounds and ulcers.

The “Live Healthy!” program will tell you about the benefits of tomatoes:

But not everyone can eat these vegetables. First of all, this applies to those who are allergic or individual intolerant to them.

Caution should also be observed for those who have high stomach acidity and gallstones. You may experience heartburn after eating them.

It is believed that these vegetables contribute to the deposition of salts (especially oxalates). This is not entirely true.

Studies have shown that they contain extremely little oxalic acid, so they cannot particularly affect the processes of oxalate stone formation. The question of whether they are contraindicated for gout is controversial.

The benefits and harms of tomatoes from the program “About the Most Important Thing”:

Fun facts about tomatoes

Since the tomato does contain poison, in 1776 they tried to use it to assassinate George Washington. At lunch they brought him a roast, sprinkled with tomatoes on top. The cook was bribed, and did it on purpose, because he was sure that the plan would work. The attempt was unsuccessful - Washington remained alive and had a wonderful dinner.

Monuments were even erected to such a breadwinner as a tomato in many cities of Russia and Ukraine. Some cities even hold holidays dedicated to tomatoes. This is due to the fact that the population feeds itself by growing this crop. In Russia, monuments stand in cities such as Minusinsk and Syzran.

On the territory of Ukraine, such monuments exist in cities and towns such as Kamenka-Dneprovskaya, Dnepropetrovsk region, Tsyuripinsk and Golaya Pristan, Kherson region, and Iasi, Odessa region. And even in Turkey they erected a monument to the tomato.

Unusual uses of tomatoes

In addition to traditional use as a food product, the use of the red fruit is not limited to cooking. Cosmetologists resort to using tomato as a cleansing and refreshing substance. Medical professionals use it as a remedy to relieve the symptoms of burns and cuts. Due to their low calorie content, nutritionists recommend cooking with these products and eating them raw, which helps burn calories, but in limited quantities, especially for patients with gastritis or stomach ulcers.

In addition to traditional use as a food product, the scope of use of the red fruit is not limited to cooking.

Why berry

According to scientists, when asked whether a tomato is a berry or a vegetable, the answer can be unequivocal that the tomato fruit is a berry. From a botanical point of view, the fruit of the plant has all the characteristics of berry crops:

1. The inside is juicy, a characteristic common to all berries.
2. The pulp contains a large number of testes.
3. The top of the tomato has a thin peel.

That is why the tomato is a berry crop. There is a scientific explanation for this

But scientists describe the characteristics only of the structure of the fruit itself, without taking into account the taste characteristics and diameter of the plants. Therefore, from a scientific point of view, the question of whether a tomato is a berry or a fruit or a vegetable can be answered that it is a berry

Botanists also answer what family tomatoes belong to. This is a representative of the Solanaceae family.

Classification as a fruit

Discussions regarding what type of tomatoes should be classified as vegetables, fruits or berries occur from time to time among users who are keen on gardening, as well as simply lovers of this crop.

A fruit is considered to be the part of a plant that looks like a fruit filled with seeds. Its structure can be soft or hard. It is formed after pollination of a flower. A vegetable is a part of the root or herbaceous system of a plant that has become overgrown. Accordingly, it is fair to consider that the fruits of a plant that have seeds are fruits. For this reason, the tomato is often also called a fruit.

There is another scientific description, according to which a fruit is the edible part of a plant that contains seeds and develops from the ovary. But for culinary purposes, tomatoes are used only as vegetables. This is why it is so difficult to determine whether a tomato is a vegetable or not.

If you look at the botanical description, it is difficult to unambiguously determine whether a tomato is a vegetable or a berry. This culture corresponds in its characteristics to both categories. Tomato contains an important substance - lycopene, which can slow down cell aging and protect against the effects of free radicals. After heat treatment, all its useful components remain intact and are not destroyed. All parts of the plant have a characteristic rich smell, which is a feature of tomatoes.

Vegetable that is a fruit

Tomatoes are a fruit and part of the Nightshade family (like potatoes and eggplants), but they are served and cooked like vegetables, which is what most people are used to calling them. Tomatoes come in different colors, shapes and sizes:

• large red and slightly uneven;
• red, medium size and round;
• ovoid tomatoes, red or yellow;
• cherry tomatoes, small and round, etc.

There are many hybrid varieties that are not so widespread; in addition to the usual colors, there are green, purple and even striped tomatoes. Black tomatoes were grown for the first time in the UK. This unusual fruit contains large amounts of anthocyanins and antioxidants, which are believed to help fight cancer, diabetes and obesity.

It is not so important whether a tomato is a berry or a vegetable; what is more important is the positive effect this fruit can have on the human body. Tomato consumption has long been linked to heart health

Fresh tomatoes and tomato juice help lower cholesterol levels and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis). Thanks to its unique properties, the tomato will always be at the top of the list of tasty, healthy, nutritious and wholesome foods.

Variety of tomatoes

Varieties of nightshade require different care and growing conditions. Tomatoes perceive weather conditions differently, but most of them love water and require a large amount of moisture. Then the fruits themselves turn out juicy.

Tomatoes of different types are leaders in preparing preparations for the winter.

The distinction between species is important because of composition. Different compositions give different peel colors, as well as flavor notes. Choosing nightshade to suit your taste is not only realistic, but also very interesting. Trying, it seemed, one vegetable, you can find both very sweet tomatoes and sour ones, with a slight spicy bitterness.

What are the most popular varieties of tomatoes in the world?

1. Cherry. The variety is a hybrid and combines several subspecies. The average weight of one fruit is up to 30 g. Miniature tomatoes are used to decorate dishes and for salads. The color can be varied: red, crimson, orange. The variety is considered dietary.
2. Roma. The variety is distinguished by a powerful but compact bush. An average number of nightshades grow on it. Outwardly, they resemble “cream” and this is what people call it. Inside, the tomato has dense, fleshy pulp. The taste is not pronounced. Roma is great for salads and winter preparations. Tomato juice or sauce also turns out delicious.
3. San Marzano. If you look at nightshades from the outside, they look more like peppers. The vegetable immediately catches the eye due to its long, elongated shape. They are distinguished by their heavy weight, and next to Cherry they are even gigantic. The variety is usually grown in greenhouses. The color of tomatoes is characteristically red.
4. Purple Cherokee. Tomatoes that look like hearts are called Cherokee. They are dark red with a slight black tint. The average weight of a tomato is from 150 to 300 g. Inside the vegetable is meaty and juicy.

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The purpose of the variety usually depends on the texture of the tomato. Watery vegetables are best used for making juice, but meaty ones are a good option for salads or other dishes.

Cherry Roma San Marzano Cherokee

History of the origin of the tomato

Data on the origin of the tomato are very contradictory; presumably, the most authentic homeland can be considered the western and central part of South America, the Galapagos Islands, where its wild counterparts are still found. Tomatoes came to Europe at the end of the 15th century, where they were grown as an exotic ornamental plant. The first to breed them were the French, Portuguese, Spaniards and Italians.

The red fruits were called “apples of love” by the French, which sounds like “tomato”, and the Italians began to call them “golden apple” - pomod`oro, hence the common word - “tomato”. In 1778, tomatoes were included in the catalog of vegetable crops and began to be actively used as a food additive.

Tomatoes were brought to Russia during the reign of Empress Catherine II. The ambassador of one of the European countries brought a whole basket of ripe fruits as a gift. The outlandish product was not appreciated.

One of the founders of agronomy in Rus', Andrei Timofeevich Bolotov, contributed to the mass dissemination in Russia. He made a significant contribution to the adoption of tomatoes as a crop.

Since the middle of the 19th century, tomatoes began to be grown in the Astrakhan province, where the climate is most favorable for these heat-loving vegetables. In the early twenties of the last century, through experimental selection, it was possible to develop several varieties capable of bearing fruit in the middle zone.

Since 1960, widespread industrial greenhouse production of tomatoes began throughout the entire territory of the USSR except for the northern regions.

The tomato belongs to the nightshade family, which indicates a relationship with other vegetables from this classification: eggplants, bell peppers and potatoes.

The stem of a tomato with a dense structure can be erect or lying on the ground:

• the height of indeterminate (tall) bushes is from two meters and above, these include hybrid varieties: Sanka, Bely naliv, Alaska;
• determinate varieties do not grow above one meter, their growth stops after the appearance of 4-5 flower clusters: Golden Heart, Dubok, Amur Zarya;
• standard bushes with a thickened short stem do not grow higher than 60 cm, varieties: Riddle, Snow White, Moskvich, do not require pinching and are unpretentious in care;
• on dwarf bushes, when 2-3 clusters appear on the main shoot, growth stops, their height does not exceed 30 cm, hybrids: Tender Misha, Akulina, Betalux.

The root system is located in the upper layers of the soil, well developed, with a large number of lateral adventitious roots.

Yellow inflorescences of 5-6 petals with sharp cores, which will soon turn into juicy, loose fruits with smooth skin and numerous seeds.

The weight of tomatoes of different varieties can vary from 5 grams to 1 kilogram. Fully ripe fruits can have a round, oblong, cylindrical, heart-shaped, plum-shaped shape.

The color of tomato pulp depends on the percentage of natural pigments: carotenoids, chlorophylls and anthocyanins. Breeders have developed a wide range of colors for this vegetable, from bright red to green and even black.

A tomato can taste sweet or sour; its taste is influenced by a number of factors:

• climatic conditions;
• regional characteristics of soil type;
• soil moisture level;
• geographical component and growing conditions;
• nutritional value of the soil mixture;
• planting location: in a greenhouse or open ground;
• number of fruits on a branch;
• varietal crop or hybrid.

Botanical description and structure of tomato

Tomato or edible tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.)) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Solanaceae family. Its relatives include tomato vegetables: potatoes, blue eggplant, peppers.

Tomato vegetables

The vegetable Lycopersicon esculentum has three varieties:

• ordinary (var. Vulgare) – ¾ of the varieties belong to this variety with a thin lodging stem, red or yellow berries;
• standard (var. validum) – thick straight stem, corrugated leaves, red, pink, yellow fruits;
• large leaf (var. grandifolium) – the leaf is similar to a potato, the fruit is red or pink.

The structure of a tomato depends on the variety.

The structure of a tomato

The root system is taproot; when grown in seedlings, plants are planted to create a fibrous system. Forms additional roots on the stem; under good conditions, rooting of cuttings and stepsons is possible. Indeterminate varieties develop root masses up to 2 m in diameter.

1. The stem is hollow, juicy, with hairs; as the plant develops, the tomato becomes woody. There are two types: determinate - ends in an inflorescence (2) ;
2. indeterminate - with endless development, requires the formation of a bush.

Historical information

The tomato was first grown in South America. Wild varieties can still be found here today. Semi-cultivated varieties also grow here. In the 16th century, tomatoes came to Portugal, Spain and other European countries. The literal translation of the plant’s name sounds like “golden apple.” At first it was bred for decorative purposes. For the first time, adding fruits to a dish began in Spain.

According to other sources, Peru is considered the birthplace of the tomato. There is a theory that their homeland is Mexico. Here they grew wild, and later, in the 16th century, they began to be grown as cultivated plants. Tobacco came to Russia in the 18th century. It was brought here from Romania and Turkey. But the Russians at first did not know that the rich red fruits could be eaten. This probability was first proven by the famous agronomist A. Bolotov. Before this, there was an opinion that they were supposedly poisonous. The crop began to be planted in Crimea.

In 1780, the tomato was served at the table of Catherine II. In remote areas of the empire it was already being grown with might and main. It was widespread in Crimea, Georgia and Astrakhan. The head of state was presented with a tomato that was brought from Rome. In the northern regions, it was perceived as a decorative crop and was not eaten.

Description and characteristics of the fruit

The tomato came to us from the South American continent during its colonization by the Spaniards in the mid-16th century. At first, tomatoes were grown by Europeans as an exotic plant, and the edibility of its fruits was in doubt. In the 18th century, it came to the Russian Empire, where it was first considered an exotic ornamental plant, until the Russian botanist and writer A. T. Bolotov obtained tomatoes of full ripeness by applying to them the methods of growing seedlings and ripening.

Did you know? Bolotov Andrei Timofeevich lived a long life (1738–1833) and made a huge contribution to the development of Russian agronomy. He introduced potatoes and tomatoes into agriculture and developed agricultural techniques for growing them. He promoted eating foods that were grown locally rather than imported from other countries or regions.

Tomato fruits are multi-locular berries of various rounded shapes (from flat to elongated cylinder). The weight of different varieties can range from 20 g to more than 1 kg. Depending on the size of the fruit, tomatoes are divided into small-fruited (up to 50 g), medium-fruited (up to 100 g) and large-fruited (from 100 g). Tomatoes have from 2 to 20 chambers filled with seeds and juice inside, and according to their number, varieties are divided into small-chambered (2-3 chambers), medium-chambered (4-8), multi-chambered (more than 9). The thicker the walls of the chambers, the fleshier the fruits. The color of human-grown tomatoes is predominantly red, but there are varieties with yellow, orange, black, green, purple and whitish colors.

A little history

South America is said to be the birthplace of tomatoes. Wild as well as semi-cultivated forms of plants are still found there. In the 16th century, the tomato was introduced to Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and other European countries.

Did you know? The name of the tomato comes from the Italian pomo d'oro (translated as “golden apple”). The Aztecs called these fruits “matl”, but the French changed this name as tomate - tomato.

In Europe, tomatoes were bred as an exotic plant. The first culinary dish using tomatoes was mentioned in Spanish recipes.

Other sources claim that the birthplace of tomatoes is Peru,

however, this can no longer be reliably known due to lost knowledge. There is also a version about the origin of tomatoes (both the plant itself and the word) from Mexico, where the plant grew wild, and its fruits were smaller than the modern tomatoes we know. Later, by the 16th century, tomatoes began to be cultivated in Mexico.

In the 18th century, the tomato was brought to Russia (via Turkey and Romania). For the first time it was proved that a plant such as a tomato can be eaten by agronomist A.T. Bolotov. For a long time, the tomato was considered an ornamental plant with poisonous fruits. Plantings of the tomato vegetable crop have already appeared in Crimea. Among the names there were such as “red eggplant”, “love apple”, and even “wolf berry”.

In the summer of 1780, Empress Catherine II first tried the fruit of a tomato. It was the tomato, brought from Rome as a fruit. At the same time, this fruit had long been known in remote areas of the empire; it was grown in the south of Russia, in Astrakhan, Georgia, Taurida, and eaten as a vegetable. In the northern part of Russia, the “love apple” served as an ornamental plant with beautiful bright fruits.

Important! Tomatoes improve digestion and metabolism. The phytoncides they contain exhibit the antibacterial effect of tomatoes.

Homeland, origin of the tomato and its names

Like its entire family, the tomato is native to the equatorial regions of Central and South America. It is in the homeland of tomatoes that today you can find wild species of the plant growing. The word itself originates from the Aztec language and means “big berry.” The original, somewhat modified, name of the plant was retained by the French - tomate, the gifts of which the passionate French call the “apple of love” (pomme d'amour) - for the aphrodisiac properties inherent in the vegetable. In Russian, in addition to “tomato,” there is another, more common name - tomato, which comes from the Italian pomo d'oro (golden apple).

Variety "Jaded" - green cherry tomatoes bred by breeders at Cornell University

Tomato trial

No matter how funny it may be, the question of what a tomato is - a fruit or a vegetable, and maybe even a berry - was decided by the Supreme Court. In the United States of America in 1893, a case was heard on the above specific issue. This is a serious process; the amount of customs duties charged depended on the court decision. There was no tax on fruits, only vegetables were subject to a certain amount. It was beneficial for the Supreme Court to collect money into the state treasury for imported and exported goods. According to his decision, tomatoes fell into the category of vegetables. The botanical term was not taken into account.

More than a hundred years have passed, and a similar question has arisen again, but now from the European Union. In science, the fruit of tomatoes is a berry, and since 2001, according to a decree issued in the European Union, tomatoes began to be considered a fruit. An interesting transformation of a tasty and healthy tomato vegetable into a fruit and berry. The question remains open, but there are no fewer tomato lovers. Breeders develop new varieties, zone them, and improve their taste.

Today you can see a huge variety of tomato shapes, their names and color varieties. Now there are more than ten thousand types of tomatoes. Cooks, in turn, create variations of dishes with the addition of tomatoes.

• they are preserved;
• served fresh;
• boiled and fried.

And sauces, tomato paste, ketchups and juice have become an integral part of the daily menu.

Interesting Facts

• Surely many remember from school that tomatoes were brought to Europe from America. This happened only in the 16th century. In general, people have been growing this vegetable as a useful crop since about the 7th century. The Indians called tomatoes very similar to the modern name - “tomatl”. This roughly translates to "big berry".
• It is interesting that the enlightened public for a very long time considered tomatoes to be a poisonous plant (perhaps they were repelled by their bright red color) and were afraid to even touch the fruits. It was possible to convince the broad masses only at the beginning of the 19th century, when, according to legend, Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson ate a whole bucket of tomatoes in front of a crowd of onlookers and, naturally, remained alive.
• To date, about 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes have been bred. The size of the fruit ranges from 2 cm in diameter to 1.5 kilogram giants.
• There is still ongoing debate about what tomatoes are. Botany classifies them as berries. In Russia and America they are usually called vegetables (surprisingly, in the USA this is even a court decision). Although they appear from seeds, eating them raw played a role. In Europe, since 2001, it was decided to call tomatoes fruits.
• If we classify tomatoes as a fruit, they are the leaders in the world in terms of annual harvest - 60 million tons. In second place are bananas (44 million tons), in third place are apples (36 million tons). The largest number of tomatoes is produced in China - about 16% of global volumes or more than 10 million tons. in year.
• Tomatoes have no cholesterol at all, and also contain the substance lycopene, which the human body does not receive from anywhere else. Lycopene is a natural antioxidant, so it is a good preventative against the growth of cancer cells.
• Tomatoes also contain a lot of serotonin, or, as it is also called, the “happiness hormone.”
• Tomato is one of the few vegetables that not only retains its beneficial properties during heat treatment, but sometimes even increases them. It is known that the amount of picotine doubles when cooked for 2-3 minutes, and lycopene - by 1/3.
• Low temperatures, on the contrary, are harmful to tomatoes. Therefore, it is not recommended to store them in the refrigerator, but it is better to give preference to places with room temperature. But in this case, obviously, the vegetables will not last long.
• Phytoncides contained in tomatoes are substances that prevent the development of infections. That is why many folk recipes for using tomatoes involve treating wounds, burns, and other skin injuries.
• Buñol, a city in Spain, is famous for its tomato festivals, which are held every year in the last week of summer. The city is literally drowning in tomato juice as people throw freshly picked tomatoes at each other like snowballs.
• Today, tomatoes are used not only for growing vegetables for food, but also as a decorative decoration for plots. As a rule, for such purposes, varieties are chosen that bear fruit of medium-sized tomatoes of the same size.