22/10/2021
Tomatoes were originally grown in South America and the Spaniards first introduced the plant to Europe in the early 16th century. But Europeans were doubtful to eat the fruit as Italian doctor and naturalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli believed that it was poisonous and a source of temptation. He identified tomato as nightshade, a poisonous family of Solanaceae plants. He also classified it as a mandrake, which was referenced in the Old Testament as the Hebrew word “dudaim,” which meant “love apple.”
The fear of eating tomato was heightened in England after John Gerard, a barber-surgeon, published “Herbal” in 1597. Gerard regarded the whole plant to be “of ranke and stinking savour.” He also believed that it was poisonous. Though many were influenced by his claims, one expert noted that Gerard’s work was poorly researched and largely plagiarized.
By the 18th century, the tomato was branded as “poison apple” after several members of upper social classes died from consuming it. The wealthy were unaware that they served the high acidic fruit in pewter plates which was abundant in lead content, resulting to lead poisoning.
Due to the invention of pizza in Naples, Italy in 1880, the fear of tomatoes was eased. Better agricultural technology also allowed farmers to research more about the plant.