Fresh Tomato Day

Fresh Tomato Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to tomatoes. It is one of the most popular vegetables not only in the U.S., but all over the world! Perhaps only cucumbers are on par with them. The holiday is celebrated on April 6, and is a great way to try new varieties of tomatoes or make great tasting dishes with them.

History

Tomatoes are a vegetable with a long history. They began to be grown as early as the ancient indigenous tribes living in Mesoamerica. The term includes lands that today stretch from Mexico to Honduras. The Maya or Aztecs may have begun to cultivate the plant.

The ancestor of modern tomatoes is a plant with the biological name “Solanum pimpinellifolium”, it looks similar to the modern type of vegetables, but the stems were short and the fruits themselves were very small and sour. The long evolution of the wild tomato led to a plant without which we cannot imagine our lives today. The active development of genetic engineering in the 20th century has given us an abundance of new tomato varieties that differ not only in their appearance, but also in their taste and flavor!

Interesting facts

• Europeans used tomatoes as ornamental plants until the 17th century. For a long time, tomatoes were considered a dangerous product. This was probably due to the use of lead in the plates. The increased acidity of tomatoes washed the dangerous substance out of the dishes, leading to human poisoning.
• American Dan Sutherland grew the largest tomato. The circumference of the fruit was 83.8 cm and the weight of the tomato was 4.9 kg.
• Sufficient consumption of tomatoes strengthens the immune system, normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, improves heart and vascular health, and improves mood.

How to celebrate

Learn more interesting information about tomatoes. Try new varieties of this vegetable today! Visit cafes or restaurants to enjoy the best tomato dishes or prepare them yourself. You can easily find recipes online.

Spread the word about the holiday on social media. Ask users what their favorite tomato varieties are?

When is Fresh Tomato Day celebrated in 2024?

Fresh Tomato Day is observed on April 6 each year.

Observations