Origin and History

The tomato is of new world origin and was unknown to Europeans until samples were collected by early explorers in Mexico and returned to Europe. Wild species are found in the Andean region, Peru, and adjacent areas. The wild form is believed to have been taken to Mexico, where fairly advanced domestication occurred by native people in what is today Mexico. The wild cherry tomato, L. esculentum var. cerasiforme, is spontaneous through tropical and subtropical America and is probably the progenitor of the cultivated tomato.

There is early mention of the tomato being used as a food crop in Italy in 1554. Tomato was at first considered poisonous in the English speaking countries probably because of its relationship to nightshade (both are in the same family). Tomato leaves and immature fruit do contain the toxic alkaloid tomatine. The tomato was grown in the early American colonies as a curiosity (love apple) and not widely accepted as a food crop in this country until after 1800.

Follow this link to see a multimedia presentation on Tomatoes (YouTube link.)