10 Interesting Facts About Tomatoes: The Superfood Debate – Fruit or Veggie?

Tomatoes have been selected as one of the top 10 superfoods in the world by Time magazine and Harvard Medical School in the United States, boasting a perfect blend of nutrients. They are mainly used in various sauces and ingredients in the West and are also popular as a meal substitute in Korea. Especially for those on a diet, tomatoes are beloved as a useful food that can supply vitamins and nutrients.

Name and Origin

Tomatoes are a plant of the nightshade family. The fruit, the tomato we commonly talk about, is edible. The peak season is from mid-May to September, mainly summer, but it can be grown all year round in greenhouses so that it can be easily purchased and eaten anytime. The term “tomato” is taken directly from British English, and in Korea, it is also called “domado” among the middle-aged and older. It is said that the tomato originated from the Aztec word “tomati.”

History of Tomatoes

According to research on tomatoes, the origin dates back more than 52 million years. It is known that tomatoes were frequently eaten in ancient South American civilizations, and after Spain conquered South America, they were introduced to Europe. Initially, it was cultivated as an ornamental plant and was considered an aphrodisiac, so its cultivation was even banned in the UK. In Korea, it is presumed to have been introduced before 1614, when the word referring to tomatoes was recorded during the reign of King Gwanghaegun.

Nutrients in Tomatoes

In the West, tomatoes are called “the vegetable doctors hate the most.” This means they contain so many nutrients that you wouldn’t need to go to the hospital if you ate tomatoes. They are rich in vitamins, good for the skin, and have the lowest calories among fruits while providing a good sense of fullness, making them a beneficial food for dieting. It is also known that tomatoes contain a high amount of antioxidants.

Benefits of Tomatoes

The vitamin C content of tomatoes varies depending on the storage temperature. The higher the temperature, the higher the vitamin C content, so storing them in a relatively warm room rather than in the refrigerator is better. According to an experiment by the Rural Development Administration, maintaining freshness may be more advantageous by storing the tomatoes after removing the crown. In addition to skin beauty and anti-aging, it also has the unique effect of repelling insects. You can see the impact just by eating or drinking it daily, so it can also help avoid mosquitos.

Various Types

There are indeed various types of tomatoes. The first tomato that crossed over to Europe was called the “golden apple” because its color was yellow, not the red we commonly know today. In addition to the original yellow tomatoes, there are now cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and more, so many that you can’t count them on five fingers. It is said that there are hundreds of tomato varieties in the world.

Fruit or Vegetable?

Whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable varies from person to person. In the Value-added Tax Act of Korea, tomatoes are classified as vegetables, while in the rules on agricultural statistical research, they are classified as fruits. In other countries, they are generally classified as fruits, but many countries classify them as vegetables for various reasons, such as legal disputes. Although people classify them differently, whether one is correct can vary depending on the perspective, and there may be no correct answer.

Black Tomato

The black tomato is a breed native to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, breaking the stereotype that tomatoes are red with their dark color. It was first introduced in the UK in March 2004 under the name Olmeca, and due to its color, it is also referred to as the “black pearl of tomatoes.” The harvesting period is about three months longer than regular tomatoes, and its size is smaller. With its thick skin and high-quality fiber, it doesn’t easily soften even when left for a long time, making it excellent for storage.

Daejeo Tomato

Daejeo tomato is also known as Daejeo Salty Tomato. It is characterized by a harmonious blend of sweet and sour taste with a salty flavor, and it got its name because it is mainly produced in Daejeo-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan. This is because the soil here contains a lot of salt, which imparts a sour, sweet, and salty taste to the tomato. The flesh is firm and good to chew, and it is rich in vitamin C. Daejeo tomatoes that come out in spring are also used as ingredients for Fresh Kimchi and general kimchi.

Tomango

Tomango is a sweet tomato variety, just like a mango. It is a tomato brand that has improved taste by containing natural stevia, and it is a variety that has been implemented with stevia farming that started in Japan. The leaves contain stevioside, which gives a sweet taste, and its sweetness is like eating honey. The flesh is firm, and the flesh part has a higher sugar content than the inside. Since stevia has the effect of lowering blood sugar, those with hypoglycemia should be cautious when consuming it.

Cluster Tomato

Some tomatoes grow like grape clusters. This term refers to the improved variety in Europe, and it is a cluster tomato, also called a grape tomato. It is an enhanced variety that takes advantage of the strengths of beefsteak tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, has a longer storage period at room temperature, and is darker red than regular tomatoes. The darker the red color of the tomato, the more lycopene it contains, and the greater the antioxidant effect can be expected. Therefore, cluster tomatoes can be said to be richer in lycopene than other varieties.

By. Deok Soo Choi