The Tomato: From Deadly Nightshade to Culinary Delight
The Fear of the Tomato in Europe
In the late 18th century, tomatoes were widely feared in Europe. They were known as “poison apples” because it was believed that aristocrats fell ill and died after eating them. However, the real cause of these deaths was lead poisoning, as wealthy Europeans used pewter plates high in lead content. The acidic nature of tomatoes leached lead from the plates, resulting in lead poisoning.
Despite the lack of evidence linking tomatoes to poisoning, the fear persisted for over 200 years. This was partly due to the tomato’s classification as a deadly nightshade, a family of poisonous plants containing toxins called tropane alkaloids.
The Tomato’s Arrival in America
Tomatoes were first introduced to North America by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. However, they were initially grown only for ornamental purposes due to the belief that they were poisonous.
In the 18th century, tomatoes began to be eaten in some regions of America, but fears and rumors about their potential toxicity lingered. The Green Tomato Worm, a large green worm with a horn on its back, was believed to be deadly to humans.
The Tomato’s Redemption
Despite the lingering fears, tomatoes gradually gained acceptance as a food source. By the 19th century, hundreds of tomato recipes appeared in local periodicals and newspapers. Farmers began experimenting with different varieties of tomatoes and investigating their use.
In the 1850s, the name “tomato” became so highly regarded that it was used to sell other plants at market. By 1897, Joseph Campbell invented condensed tomato soup, which further popularized the fruit.
The Tomato Today
Today, tomatoes are consumed around the world in countless varieties. They are used in a wide range of dishes, from salads to pizzas to soups. In 2009, the United States alone produced 3.32 billion pounds of fresh-market tomatoes.
Despite the tomato’s widespread popularity, some of its nightshade past seems to have followed it into pop culture. The 1978 musical drama/comedy “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” features giant red blobs of the fruit terrorizing the country.
The Tomato’s Legacy
The tomato has a long and fascinating history, marked by both fear and fascination. From its humble beginnings as a deadly nightshade to its current status as a culinary delight, the tomato has come a long way.
Its journey serves as a reminder that even the most feared and misunderstood things can eventually become widely accepted and enjoyed.
