The first tomato plants were planted in Greece by a Friar Francis in 1818, in the gardens of a Capuchin monastery at the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates (built in 335 B.C.) in Athens.
The tomato is native to the Americas. It was first cultivated by Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D. Europeans first saw the tomato when the Conquistadors reached Mexico and Central America in the 16th century. Tomato seeds were taken back to Europe where they quickly found favor in the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Thomas Jefferson was ahead of his time not only when he brought french-fries to his table, but also when he first introduced tomatoes in 1781. Recipes didn’t start showing up in American cookbooks until the 1820s.
Tomatoes first grew as wild, cherry-size berries in the South American Andes, but the fruit, as we know it today, was developed in Mexico where it was known as "tomatil" and traveled to Europe by boat with the returning conquistadors.
Up until the 20th century, all tomatoes had ruffled ridges. One farmer decided he didn't like them that way and spent 20 years developing a variety that was smooth!
The first flavor of Bassett's Ice Cream was: TOMATO - it was produced in Salem, New Jersey.
