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Columbian Exchange - Tomatoes
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Tomatoes in the Columbian Exchange
Created by Ethan M. Warnecke
Before Columbian Exchange
After Columbian Exchange
History of Tomatoes in America
Wild tomatoes are native to Peru in South America, and were much smaller than domesticated tomatoes, similar to cherry tomatoes in size and appearance.
~7000 years ago
Origins
Native peoples in Peru started to domesticate tomatoes, spreading them upwards towards Mesoamerica. The tomato was adaptive and grew well in warm climates, allowing it to be grown in Central America
Tomatoes Grown by the Aztecs
Tomatoes were likely an important crop to the Aztecs because of their good taste, survivability, and domestication. They were called "tomatls" and were probably grown until the Spanish conquest and the Great Dying.
Aztec Domestication
~1530s, Spanish Explorers Bring the Tomato to Europe
European Exchange
Explorers and conquistadors brought the fruit back to Europe, where it was introduced to the Italians and French. The first tomatoes were probably yellow, since French and Spanish names for the fruit included the adjective "golden". While it was soon grown in manor gardens as decorative plants, many Europeans did not eat it after it was identified as being related to the Nightshade family.
Tomato's Influence in Europe
After Columbian Exchange
Altough the tomato was viewed with skepticism and would not immediantly become a staple food or cash crop, it would soon spread to be an important part of many European recipes and cultures. Tomatoes were most commonly grown in Spain, Italy, and France, but could be grown in any warm climate.
Tomatoes in Spain
Spain
Tomatoes were originally brought to Spain by early explorers, with the first records dating to 1544. While the tomato was grown in many of Spain's western colonies as a cheap and sustainable food, its short preservation life led it to be less popular than other crops brought from the Americas. Nevertheless, Spain traded tomatoes across Europe and Asia, as well as being brought by colonists to North America.
Tomatoes in France and England
France
While tomatoes were commonly grown in France and England, many intellectuals advocated against their consumption, believing them to be poisonous due to their connection with the Nightshade family. Instead of being a crop, tomatoes were used to decorate gardens, and were often illustrated in artwork.
Tomatoes in Italy
Topic
Tomatoes were able to be grown easily in the warm Mediterranean climate of Italy, so were quick to become an important crop. Tomatoes were a cheap food available to both elites and peasants, which lead to the creation of various recipes including the fruit, such as pizza. The first recorded recipe utilizing tomatoes was the cookbook "Lo scalo alla moderna", written in 1692.