History of Tomatoes The exact origin of tomatoes remains a
mystery, but there is reason to believe that the credit for this
amazing fruit dates as far back as 700AD with the Peruvian
Incas. It is argued that, under the name Tomatl, it was traded
to the Aztecs in Mexico and from there in the 16th Century found
its way via the Conquistadors to Europe. It is believed that the
original tomato was yellow. During this time tomatoes were known
as: - 'The Apple of Love' to the French - 'The Apple of
Paradise' to the Germans - 'The Apple of Gold' to the Italians
There are conflicting reports from Elizabethan England about the
tomato. In some, it is reported that the tomato was considered
poisonous because it comes from the nightshade family (as do
potatoes and egg plant (aubergine) ). Other hearsay reports from
England during the 16th century, say that the tomato was
considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Yet other reports say that it
was first grown in England as an ornamental climber. The first
reported British tomato g