Tomato

Where do tomatoes come from?

The exact date when tomatoes were discovered is unknown, but they were already domesticated around 500 BC in southern Mexico. Today, the main producers of tomatoes are China, India and Turkey.

Which varieties are there?

There are countless varieties of tomatoes, too many to list here, but we’ve given you a summary of the most well known:

Grape tomatoes
-Crisp and crunchy
-Thicker skin and meatier texture
-Flavour: sweet to tangy
-Colours: yellow, orange and red

Cherry tomatoes
-One of the most popular varieties
-Flavour: sweet
-Colours: red, yellow, orange and purple

Roma tomatoes
-The quintessential Italian tomato
-Plum shaped
-Flavour: fresh and tangy

Beefsteak tomato
-Large, meaty with lots of juice
-Flavour: mild
-Colours: red, dark red, orange, yellow and green

Heirloom tomato
-Wide range of sizes and colours
-Flavour: intense

Cocktail tomato
-Flavour: sweet
-Soft and meaty texture

When are tomatoes in season?

Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop and need 3 months of consistent warmth for harvest. They are typically grown and harvested between May and October depending on specific weather conditions.

Our tips for how to enjoy tomatoes:

Tomatoes are extremely versatile and used in kitchens around the world.

They are often eaten raw, but also as a key ingredient for other dishes such as:

Sauces, stews, soups, purees in salads, in pastas and sandwiches