What is the origin of the tomato?

The tomato is defined botanically as a fruit and not a vegetable as is commonly thought (or a culinary delicacy).

It is so common in our eating habits in daily life that it is impossible not to wonder where it originally comes from.

After a thorough inspection I discovered that the tomato originated in Central America.

Like other fruits and vegetables (such as potatoes and corn), the tomato was not known to Europeans until they came to America.

The Europeans treated the tomato with suspicion and some thought it was poisonous and used it only as a garnish.

Only in the second half of the 19th century did tomato growing become common in the world.