Tomatoes have long been an integral part of Indian cuisine. It is used in almost every home. There are over 9,000 varieties of tomatoes grown around the world. Mumbai, Nashik and Jaipuria tomatoes are available in India. Nowadays cherry tomatoes have also started coming in the markets.
Today we have brought some interesting facts about the vegetable.
Is this a fruit or a vegetable?
Most of us believe that it is a vegetable. However, this is not true. Dr. Naved Sabir, Principal Scientist, Center for Protected Agricultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Pusa), said that according to botany, tomato is a fruit.
But it is used more in cooked form and hence came to be called vegetable. The Oxford Dictionary has placed tomatoes in the category of fruits. According to him, tomato is a soft red colored fruit, in which the amount of juice is high and whose peel is bright red. It can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.
Tomato helps in maintaining youth
Tomato helps to keep us young as the simple fruit helps in maintaining proper digestion, prevents stomach related problems and eliminates stomach worms. According to Ayurvedacharya and Panchakarma specialist Dr RP Parashar, eating tomatoes increases appetite. It keeps the stomach clean and its consumption strengthens the immunity. It does not allow worms to flourish in the stomach. A special thing about tomatoes is that the special elements found in it protect the human skin from sunburn and ultraviolet rays. Therefore, all these characteristics help to maintain youth.
Tomato originated in Peru
Tomatoes originated in Peru. The cultivation of the fruit began in the fifth century BC. Later, it continued to advance through Spain and Mexico. In America it was called Love Apple. The red color of tomatoes was considered poisonous in some countries, but it was later adopted.
Tomato entered India in the 16th century. Portuguese and Spanish traders brought it to the country. At that time in India it was called foreign brinjal. Tomato cultivation and consumption increased throughout the world during the British Empire in India and the Second War.
Why did tomatoes arrive in India so late?
It is believed that there were many tomato substitutes in India, which brought flavor to the palate so it was a late entry. Choices included tamarind, amchur and amla. Their description is found in the ancient text of Ayurveda Charaka Samhita.
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