Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum )
Origin : Central and Southern America (from Mexico to Peru)
Environment : Fields, grasslands, sunny hillsides. In full sun.
Climate : Warm, temperate. Frost-intolerant.
Tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family of plants, that also includes Tobacco, Chili Peppers and Potato. The original Aztec name was Tomati. Even if known in Europe since the discovery of America, for a long time Tomato was considered poisonous and planted only for decoration. The first kitchen use is documented in an Italian recipe of the beginning of 18th century, and the first industrial production started in Parma around 1850. The tomato is today grown worldwide. A total 125 million tonnes per year are produced. The main producer is China with 31 tonnes per year.