23 October 2009
Tomatoes were first grown in this country in 1554
Don’t keep tomatoes in the fridge. The best place to keep them is in the fruit bowl as they are subtropical and dislike the cold.
It takes between 40 and 60 days from a flower for a tomato to reach full ripeness
Tomato pulp is good for the skin and can be mixed with yoghurt to make a face pack
Tomatoes contain potassium, which has been linked to lowering blood pressure. They are also a great source of Vitamins A, C and E and calcium - vital for healthy bones and teeth.
The size of the tomato is a good guide to how to use it in your cooking - use the large ones for stuffing, smaller ones for garnishing and plum tomatoes are good for barbecues.
The world’s largest tomato plant was grown by Greenhouse Sensation in a GS NFT hydro system. It is in the record books at 65ft (19.8 metres) but it actually grew to achieve an amazing 92ft (28 metres).
Tomato juice can help a hangover
Tomatoes only contain 14 calories per 100g and contain virtually no fat and no cholesterol!
