5 interesting facts about Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes are native to Central and South America.

2. Although considered a culinary vegetable, a tomato is actually (biologically) a fruit!

3. Tomatoes are the eighth most valuable agricultural commodity worldwide. Currently, China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of tomatoes. India occupies second place.

4. There are over 7,500 varieties of tomatoes grown for various reasons. It is used in diverse culinary ways including raw in salads, processed in juices and ketchup, breaded and fried for salsa, pickled, as sauces etc.

5. Leaves, stems and unripe green fruit of the tomato plant contain small amounts of the toxic alkaloid tomatine. Tomato plants can be highly toxic to dogs!