Diving online, I have come across this curiosity: Did you know that the tomato was known as the love apple for its aphrodisiac qualities? Yes, the pomme de l'amour was called in France, where some herbalists attributed these stimulating virtues to boost its sale. Or maybe not? What if our tomatoes are the key to Mediterranean passions?
Who knows? The fact is that this fruit, rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, so popular in our diet today, was not always so accepted. Now, until we grow in pots, But it was not always like this.
Its origin is located in the highlands of South America. In Mexico there is even archaeological evidence of its cultivation in 700 BC. From Tenochtitlan, the Spanish introduced it to Europe in the XNUMXth century. And it was not always well accepted. It all began when the botanists of the old continent included the tomato in the family of nightshade: the same one to which belladonna belongs, a highly poisonous plant. On the other hand, there were those who believed that it was the tomato leaves that were eaten, they gave off a strong smell, and it turned out that they were toxic.
However, the Italians, who in the XNUMXth century had given the name of tomato (golden apple) with tomato, they were more practical. By the early XNUMXth century, tomatoes had become a popular food in the country, where sunny weather favored their cultivation. However, almost two hundred years later, the horticulturists of northern Europe were still unconvinced and cultivated them for medicinal or simply decorative purposes.
The old doubts were dispelled when people began to taste the fruit. From that moment its cultivation became popular. In 1870 they could already be bought in New York fresh tomatoes from California, thanks to the new transcontinental railroad. Decades earlier, the first pizzeria had been opened in the Italian city of Naples, thus skyrocketing the demand for tomatoes.
And during the 20th century, a growing market for tomato soups, juices, and sauces turned the much-maligned tomato into the world's most popular fruit. For those interested in learning more about the curiosities about tomatoes, there are many more fascinating stories to tell.
Rich, healthy, easy to grow and… aphrodisiac properties? who knows? The truth is that a true pleasure for the palate
Source: curious planet
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If you want to know more about the care of these plants, you can check out how fertilize the soil to plant tomatoes and ensure a good crop. Providing good fertilizer is essential for growing them properly, which can be achieved by following a few simple steps.
Growing tomatoes is quite simple if you follow a few recommendations, such as those you can find in our article on How to stake tomatoes without canesThis technique will help plants grow healthy and robust, making them easier to care for.
It is also important to know how protect your tomatoes from red spider mites, a common enemy in the cultivation of this delicious fruit. Keeping the infestation under control is key to ensuring a good harvest.
As we advance in our knowledge of tomatoes, more questions arise, such as how to grow juicy tomatoes or what tricks to use to optimize their growth. You can read about them in our dedicated articles on grow juicy tomatoes y Tricks to make tomatoes grow fasterResearch on tomatoes and their aphrodisiac properties seems to be on the rise, which is fascinating.
As you can see, tomatoes have many uses and care options that we can explore. For example, when planting cherry tomatoes, it's essential to know how to do it properly, which you can learn in plant cherry tomatoesThis variety is especially popular among gardening enthusiasts.
