It is characterized by being native to the American continent, standing out in its global development with more than 20.000 varieties. It is high in nutritional properties and has a delicious flavor, capable of adorning the most splendid dishes. For this and more, discover here the various Types of Tomato that exist.
Types of Tomato
Before mentioning the different types of tomato that is feasible to obtain in infinity of shops, sowings or agricultural fairs. It is necessary to know who the tomato is, where it comes from, the contributions it deserves, nutritional value, characteristics, among others.
The Types of Tomato are, Vegetable or Fruit?
Although the answer seems wrong, it is not. It has to be the various tomato varieties, correspond to one of the Types of fruits. Being this qualifier a great controversy since past times, both by the population, and by the representatives of the State.
The controversy begins, in the year 1887, when the Supreme Court belonging to the United States of America. It assigns a tax to the tomato, for having been classified within the line of vegetables and vegetables. Which opened a door to countless disagreements and many discussions, which caused discontent among the population.
However, the latest statement on this valued delicacy issued by the European Union. It establishes that the types of tomatoes are a fruit, because they contain seeds, totally contradicting the above, based on the fact that neither vegetables nor vegetables contain them. Being legally categorized as a fruit.
Correct Way of Conservation of the Types of Tomato
The various types of tomato, as well as other foods, have their optimal form of conservation. Which is what keeps it fresh, thus prevailing the flavor and properties. So the tomato does not stop having its ideal way.
Storage in the fridge or refrigerator should be avoided as far as possible, because the high cold provides or causes a decrease in the level of its aroma, which leads to a small decrease in flavor. In this sense, it is recommended that after acquiring it it be located in an area of the kitchen or pantry, preferably away from light.
Of course, that is, if it will be consumed in the few successive days, because there is a risk that if the tomato fruit is ripe, it will exceed the ideal state and decomposition will begin. On the other hand, the best time to acquire tomato types is while they are in season, for the benefit of their freshness, aroma and great flavor.
The Tomato and its History
The tomato, which is also identified by the name of "tomato plant", as well as "fruit or fruit of the tomato plant". It is a member of the “Solanaceae” family and the “Solanum” genus, whose scientific name is “Solanum lycopersicum”. It is presented as a plant devoid of woody organs, which has the virtue of flourishing and delivering the most varied and exquisite fruits.
The color of the same depends on the coloration of the pulp, being able to appreciate them in shades of yellow, red, green, purple, orange, pink and even black. Where the important thing is that each and every one has the nutritional properties. That they give you be recommended for intake, by the World Health Organization, "WHO".
It should be noted that, throughout the globe, more than 20.000 tomato varieties. Considering that it is a fruit that comes from the low American Andes, which expands thanks to the exchange between what was the Old World and the New World. The Mexicans come to cultivate it and then it enters Spain through the voyages of Christopher Columbus, at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Initially, tomato plants were used as an ornamental species, until it was used and cultivated for food. History tells that the year 1692 is when the first recipe for Neapolitan sauce is made public. That it was based on a recipe that indicated how to prepare a traditional Spanish-style tomato sauce.
Its word derives from the word "tomatl", from the "nahuatl" language of the Aztecs of Central America, Mexico. Whose meaning is "swollen fruit". Today, the different types of tomato are an essential element to acquire and place in the pantry to later add it to endless gastronomic preparations.
Benefits of the Various Types of Tomato
The consumption of the various types of tomato, have the particularity of benefiting the human body, through endless ways. Among which the following stand out:
- They have vitamins such as C, A, E, K, B6, thiamine and folic acid.
- They contain minerals such as iron, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese.
- It is a powerful natural antioxidant.
- They have vegetable proteins.
- Improves and protects vision, after the contribution of vitamin A.
- Maintains and cares for the natural state of the skin, thanks to its antioxidant property. Which decreases the incidence of normal aging, giving better appearance to hair, skin and teeth.
- Its contribution of iron mineral and vitamin K, allow an improvement and even protection of blood circulation.
- They have a high water content, which ranges around 94,5%.
- Its potassium content allows you to regulate blood pressure.
- It is excellent for combating constipation, thanks to its high fiber content.
- The lycopene present in tomato types decreases triglyceride levels, allowing the regulation of saturated fats contained in the body. It is known that lycopene is a carotenoid and a very powerful antioxidant, highlighted in preventing cardiovascular diseases, as well as type 2 diabetes. In addition, this carotenoid is an excellent protector of free radicals, mainly those found in the cells of the prostate
- Its few calories make it an ideal food when it comes to needing special diets, low in calories or diets to lose weight.
- It is characterized by increasing natural defenses.
- Its high potassium content and low sodium level facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body. So it behaves as a natural diuretic.
Morphological Characteristics in Plants of Tomato Types
The various plants types of tomato, have among their visible and rapid morphological characteristics, the following:
- It is a herbaceous plant, permanent or annual cycle.
- The altitude of the plant is variable according to the species, being located in a range that oscillates between 0,50 meters and 2,00 meters.
- The aroma that characterizes the plant is generated by the number of "glandular hairs" found throughout its body.
- The root of the plant is presented with a main one and from this come the secondary ones, which are provided with hairs. They allow it to absorb both water and nutrients from the soil.
- From its main stem, the secondary ones branch out, being able to experience non-uniform growth. It presents with weak rigidity so it must be attached to some mechanism that keeps it upright.
- Its leaves are arranged alternately through the secondary stems.
- Flowering is discontinuous, and can occur at the top (it is when the flower of the axis opens first, while the others do so lateral to it) or in clusters.
- On the same plant there may be flower buds, while fruits are completing their maturation.
- The flowers of tomato plants are hermaphroditic, which means that they can self-pollinate. They can also achieve pollination through the action of insects.
- Its fruit is found in the line of "berries", which is the name given to one that has the virtue of being very fleshy. That is, be prominent in pulp and also have seeds.
- The size of its fruit varies according to the tomato species, as well as the incidence of its flavor and acidity.
Common Characteristics of Tomato Types
Among the common characteristics of the plant belonging to the tomato types are the following:
- It is a horticultural product (with garden cultivation technique), of high economic significance.
- It is cultivated throughout the world.
- It is a terrestrial plant.
- For planting, it should be taken into consideration, that it admits for a better benefit, Types of soil, which are of acidic pH.
- Its consumption can be done in various ways, raw, cooked, in sauce, fried, combined with other foods, processed, industrialized, among others.
- Its multiple varieties allow its cultivation to be carried out 365 days a year.
- It is obtained in different shapes, as well as specific sizes, colors and accentuated flavors.
- It is ideal for its high percentage of fiber and its low calorie content.
- It is classified as basic in the diet due to its substantial content of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Its stem is not very rigid, and must be helped to grip, using stakes or other mechanisms.
- The plant is capable of living for several years, however, the plant grown in the garden only lasts for one year.
- The flowering of the plant is executed in a staggered manner.
- Its best harvest season is the one carried out in summer.
Tomato nutritional information
The nutritional information of the tomato stands out for the following contents for a portion equivalent to a cup of the fruit, which is equal to 180 grams:
- Calories: 32 kcal
- Water: 170,14 grams
- Protein: 1,58 grams
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Fat: 0,36 grams
- Fiber: 2,2 grams
- Sugars: 4,73 grams
- Ascorbic Acid (Vit C): 24,7 milligrams
- Phylloquinone (Vit K): 14,2 micrograms
- Vitamin A: 76 micrograms
- Pyridoxine (Vit B6): 0,144 milligrams
- Folic acid (Vit B9): 27 micrograms
- Niacin (Vit B3): 1,069 milligrams
- Alpha-tocopherol (Vit E): 0,97 milligrams
- Thiamine (Vit B1): 0,067 milligrams
- Pantothenic Acid (Vit B5): 0,16 milligrams
- Riboflavin (Vit B2): 0,034 milligrams
- Choline: 12,1 milligrams
- Copper (Cu): 0,106 milligrams
- Potassium (K): 427 milligrams
- Manganese (Mn): 0,205 milligrams
- Magnesium (Mg): 20 milligrams
- Phosphorus (P): 43 milligrams
- Iron (Fe): 0,49 milligrams
- Zinc (Zn): 0,31 milligrams
- Sodium (Na) and Calcium (Ca): less than 2% of the Recommended Daily Value
different types of tomato
The difference between types of tomato, is not only appreciated in its appearance, color, texture, aroma and even flavor. But also in its size, nutritional value and benefits. Taking the following types of tomato as highlights, which are:
Green tomato
The green tomato, also known by the names of "tomatillo", "miltomate" or "fresadilla tomato". Whose scientific name is "Physalis ixocarpa", it is a species of the family "Solanaceae" and genus "Physalis", from the Mexican nation.
Its flowers are yellow, while its fruit is green or purple. Which is kept covered through an envelope that is the calyx of the flower, until it reaches maturity. At which point the next one comes to break. Its size is a little smaller than the traditional red tomato, apart from being spherical.
Gastronomically, the greener the color of the tomato, the more intense its flavor, as well as the aroma it emanates. On the other hand, history establishes that this corresponds to the first species of tomato that the Aztecs cultivated, harvested and consumed.
blue tomato
The blue tomato, whose scientific name is "Solanum lycopersicum", is one of the types of tomato obtained through transgenesis. With what, several scientists managed to modify their normal genes, adding genes from a flower called "dragon's mouth", scientifically "Antirrhinum majus".
He is originally from the John Innes Research Center in Norwich, UK. It is characterized by being a fruit that, the more sunlight it receives, the more intense its color and flavor become.
Studies have provided data that establish that it has a high content of vitamins, nutritional components and also minerals. Compared to those commonly consumed. In addition, it contains a very high proportion of anthocyanins, which is a flavonoid antioxidant that gives it its intense color. Where it is recommended to consume it raw in order to obtain its 100% benefits.
cherry tomato
The cherry tomato or also called "cherry tomato", "grape tomato" or "raisin tomato". It belongs to the “Solanum lycopersicum” family. It is presumed to be a hybrid generation of Solanum pimpinellifolium, along with tomato types normally found in home garden crops. Its size is quite small, the proportion not being constant. Showing a fairly high water content.
It is easily found in typical red or yellow, orange, green and possibly even black. The flowers of the plant appear yellow. For its part, its origin dates back to the Mexican Aztecs. These reach their prominent popularity at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, in the United States of America and in Europe.
pink tomato
The pink tomato, also called "pink tomato from Barbastro", comes from the Spanish city of Barbastro in the province of Huesca, Aragon. It stands out for being a native fruit, which means that it is not crossed. It's one of the types of tomato of great size, very few seeds, quite fleshy pulp. As well as sweet flavor, thin skin and low acidity. Interestingly, a tomato can weigh between 400 grams and 1.000 grams.
Its name is due to the color it presents that is not red, having a crop that can be easily maintained during the 365 days of the year. To which the same benefits are attributed as the rest of the tomato types, without having any limitation or deficiency, due to its large size.
pear tomato
The pear tomato, also called "pear tomato", corresponds to a species of "Solanum lycopersicum", with very few seeds, which is characterized by being a hybrid. This one stands out for being quite dense in terms of its pulp. It has a low level of acidity, which is why it is classified as one of the types of sweet tomato.
Its appearance is between elongated, spherical and flattened. It is part of the most used in the industry that uses tomato as raw material. As it is the one that is most purchased and obtained in supermarket pantries, in the usual colors red, yellow and orange.
black tomato
The black tomato, also known by the names of “kumato tomato”, “Crimean black tomato” or “Russian black tomato”. It belongs to the species “Solanum lycopersicum”. Its development comes from Spain, from a type of this fruit originating from the Mexican nation that was thought to have disappeared. It is cataloged as an exotic fruit, with an attractive flavor, aroma, texture and color.
It is an easy species to maintain and care for, so it does not take an expert to cultivate it. Its flavor is less acid or bitter, so it is attributed to be sweet, this is because it contains more fructose. Its duration time in the ripe state is longer, apart from being one of the firmer tomato types.
In its cultivation, the excess of Humidity because this brings the consequence that the fruit cracks. On the contrary, if humidity is low, pollination and fertilization do not take place. Therefore, correct watering and adequate drainage of soil water is essential.
Curious facts about the types of tomato
Among the most relevant curious facts of the types of tomato have the following:
- It is credited with the benefit of helping to eradicate pimples from the skin, as well as being an ally in wound healing.
- Due to its high water content, it is recommended for people who are dehydrated.
- It is a fruit that does not contain fat in a significant way, this value being practically negligible.
- For ailments associated with coagulation, it is recommended to ingest the juice of this fruit.
- Prevents fluid retention in the body.
- Contributes to lowering blood cholesterol levels.
- Due to its high fiber content, it is included in the diets for people who have problems associated with the intestines.
- The largest tomato in the world, cataloged in this way, in the Guinness Record Book, in the year of 1986. It reached a weight of 3,51 kilograms and its harvest was carried out in the United States of America by the farmer Gordon Graham.
