It is generally believed that the tomatoes originated from the Americas, they grew wild in places now called Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador. They were brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. from where it spread to the Mediterranean where the weather was very favourable for its cultivation and Africa.
The English word tomato comes from the Aztec word tomtit. They were first cultivated by the Aztecs. Originally tomatoes were thought to be poisonous. the leaves are in fact poisonous but the fruit is not.
Not long after, cultivation of tomatoes became very popular.
One cool fact about tomatoes is that it is actually a fruit and not a vegetable! Did you know that?
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