A clever man, it’s said, knows tomatoes are fruit, but a wise one will never use them in a fruit salad.
Interestingly, the importance of the designation of tomatoes based on use rather than biological criteria appeared in a US court case several years ago. One party wanted to enforce the biological definition of tomatoes, as fruit at that time, unlike vegetables, was not subject to taxation. The court chose to refer to tomatoes as vegetables, because they were used as vegetables.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) originated in Central and South America, where the Aztec and Inca people were eating them as early as 700AD.
When the tomato plant reached Europe in the 16th century, it was used as an ornamental plant as the fruit was believed to be poisonous. This may have been due to the fact that it is a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which includes many toxic species.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 9 June 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 9 June 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
The Mitsubishi Triton prototype breaks cover
The Mitsubishi Triton Halo AT35 prototype has been extensively modified with an Arctic Trucks AT35 kit
How spacing affects cabbage head size and yield
Intra-row spacing in conjunction with variety will influence the health of the cabbage, its head size, and the overall yield
Growing lablab
This legume cover crop can handle high temperatures, and can be used to improve soil conditions and provide good grazing for ruminants
Raising gilts and sows: Part 1
The sow should farrow large, healthy litters, and have the genetic potential to improve the production characteristics of her progeny
Advice from a successful organic raisin producer
Gawie Steyn, an organic raisin producer of the Orange River Valley, has proved that organic production can be commercially viable. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production practices
Succeeding with a big Simbra herd in the unforgiving Klipveld
Rocco Botha runs a commercial herd of Simbra cattle on North West's Klipveld, an aptly named area noted for its rocks and sourveld. Annelie Coleman spoke to him about his veld and animal management
An introduction to risk mitigation in farming: Part 1
Farmers face the most serious risks experienced in the total value chain of food production. In this first part of a new series, PJ Mommsen, a freelance strategist, looks at the less common of these risks
A huge agribusiness with solid family values
Despite having diversified into mining, construction, civil contracting, and heavy equipment hire, the ALS Group remains at heart a family farming business characterised by attention to detail, professionalism and integrity. Magda du Toit recently visited some of the agricultural and other business ventures in which the award-winning ALS Group is involved, and filed this report
Baboon bonds: how friendships make up for a bad start in life
Dr Elizabeth Lange, an assistant professor in biological science at the State University of New York Oswego, says that strong adult bonds may be a way to overcome childhood adversity, as seen in a recent study on wild baboons done in Kenya
How to boost food security in your community
Food prices in South Africa have soared in recent months, making it harder than ever to buy nutritious food for a family. Now is the time for communities to grow as much food as they can for themselves
WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS NEW EFFORTS TO GUIDE FEDERAL RESEARCH OF AI
The White House this week announced new efforts to guide federally backed research on artificial intelligence as the Biden administration looks to get a firmer grip on understanding the risks and opportunities of the rapidly evolving technology
WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS NEW EFFORTS TO GUIDE FEDERAL RESEARCH OF AI
The White House this week announced new efforts to guide federally backed research on artificial intelligence as the Biden administration looks to get a firmer grip on understanding the risks and opportunities of the rapidly evolving technology
META FINED RECORD $1.3 BILLION AND ORDERED TO STOP SENDING EUROPEAN USER DATA TO US
The European Union slapped Meta with a record $1.3 billion privacy fine this week and ordered it to stop transferring users’ personal information across the Atlantic by October, the latest salvo in a decadelong case sparked by U.S. cybersnooping fears
Sweet salute
Honor our heroes with this from-scratch treat cleverly topped with fresh fruit
CRYPTO RULES GET FINAL APPROVAL TO MAKE EUROPE A GLOBAL LEADER ON REGULATION
The European Union’s sweeping set of beefed-up cryptocurrency rules got final approval from member states, giving the 27-nation bloc a global lead in regulating the freewheeling sector
Curious Caterpillars
Dig into cool facts about these creeping crawlers
Why a new progressive era in America is likely - in about 20 years
A new progressive era is dawning in America, and almost nothing Republicans can do will hold back the tide unless Republicans destroy democracy altogether (more on this in a moment)
MAKE THE SWITCH
NATIVE GRASSES OFFER THE PERFECT ALTERNATIVE TO INVASIVE EXOTICS
Evolving Connections
Food hubs in the Southeast are expanding to serve changing community needs
THE OPIOID BACKLASH
PATIENTS WITH LEGITIMATE MEDICAL NEEDS ARE LOSING ACCESS TO OPIOIDS WHILE ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB