Tomato

Tomato

Tomato can be called a fruit or vegetable. US Customs defines it as vegetable. Tomatoes are available throughout the year.  Ripe tomato can be eaten raw, cooked or made into sauces and juice. It is liked by children and adults. It is enjoyed throughout the world. While rich in flavour, it enhances the flavour of many food items. It is rich in lycopene which is considered to be beneficial to chronic ailments such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.  It is a favourite amongst weight watchers because of its low calorie content.

Cherry tomatoes

Tomatoes are well known for their outstanding antioxidant content.  They alkalize our system.

There are literally hundreds of different tomato varieties. We normally choose our favourite varieties based on their flavour, texture, and appearance.

Surprisingly, there is not much of a difference between conventionally grown and organically grown tomatoes. The following four varieties of tomatoes seem to have a higher average antioxidant capacity regardless of whether they were grown conventionally or organically: New Girl, Jet Star, Fantastic, and First Lady.

Cherry tomatoes are small, round, cherry-sized fruits.


Estimated Glycemic Load of Tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped tomatoes: 1
• 1 tomato, 3 inches in diameter (6.5 oz): 2
• 1 medium cherry tomato (about ½ ounce): 0
• 1 medium plum tomato (about 2 oz): 1

Tomatoes are a treasure house of antioxidants. In terms of conventional antioxidants, tomatoes give an abundance of vitamin C and beta-carotene; a very good amount of the mineral manganese; and a good amount of vitamin E.

In terms of phytonutrients, tomatoes are exceptionally good in the following:
Flavonones, Flavonols, Hydroxycinnamic acids, Carotenoids, Glycosides and Fatty acid derivatives.

Tomatoes will retain their flavour and ripen correctly at room temperature. Once they are ripe, use within 3 days or refrigerate.

Tomato is available fresh - ripe and unripe, sauces, ketchup, paste, puree and sun dried. To remove the skin from tomato blanch it for 2 minutes and the cool it under running cold water. The skin will then be easy to remove.  Sun dried tomatoes are extremely rich in flavour and are available salted and unsalted.

Tomato seeds cannot be digested and pass straight through our intestines. Fresh tomatoes can be added to salads, sandwiches or as garnishes to a main meal. Tomato sauces or ketchups are very popular with many kinds of food, such as pizza, spaghetti, various stews, soups and chillies.

Allergic reactions to tomatoes may sometimes occur with symptoms like skin and itching eyes, runny nose, gastrointestinal disturbances like pain abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Tomato

Nutrition facts