Tomato is classified as a fruit but for culinary purpose, it is known as a vegetable.It is edible;that means it can be eaten raw or can be used as ingredients in dishes,sauces,salads and drinks.

Tomato is most times of red color and its origin dates back to Mexico.It is from the plant family of nightshade.That is, its leaves provides cover for other low plants.It can grows as tall as 1-3 meters that is 3-10ft in height and have a stem that sprawls over the ground,thus giving cover to other plants.It is a perennial fruit plant in its original habitat but it can be grown outdoors in cold climate area as an annual plant.its weight is between 102 and 105 grams.

Varieties of Tomato

By estimates, there are up to 7500 varieties of tomato.The tomato varieties is categorized along the lines of its shape and size.

1.Beefsteak tomatoes

They are large and often used in making sandwiches.It is look like a kidney,having thinner skin and shorter shelf life.This makes it not commercially viable.

2.Plum Tomatoes or Paste tomatoes.

They are oblong in shape and they are use for tomato sauce and paste.

3.Pear Tomatoes.It looks like a pear.That is where it get its name.They are based on the San Marzano types which is great for richer gourmet paste.

4.Grape Tomatoes
They are oblong in shape and smaller than the common tomato.They are variation on plum tomatoes and are often used in salads.

5.Slicing or Globe Tomatoes

They are the common and usual tomatoes for commercial purpose.They are used for different processing and could be eaten fresh.

6. Cherry Tomatoes

They are round and small.They are sweeter than other varieties and often eaten in salads.

7.Campari Tomatoes
They are more juicy and sweet.They are low in acid and bigger than the cherry tomatoes.

8. Oxheart Tomatoes

They are similar to the beefsteaks and look like strawberries.

Tomatoes comes as early and cool summer.These bear fruits even in night time coolness.There are varieties that are high in beta carotene and vitamin A,hollow tomatoes that could remain fresh for months by storage.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants which is great for the heart.

2. Cooked tomatoes,ketchup,tomato sauce are found to help prevent prostate cancer in men and reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 21-43%.
3.When tomatoes is cooked in oil,it encourages intestinal absorption,thus bringing about 2-3 fold rise in plasma lycopene concentrations.

4.Experts has found that tomatoes help tin combating aggressive cancers that could spread to other parts of the body.

5.Lycopene in women help to prevent cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia,tumorous tissue growth in the cervix according to research from the University of Illinois.

6.Lycopene in tomato is potent inhibitor of breats'growth,endometrium,that is inner lining of the uterus) and lung cancer cells.

7.They are great for the eyes.Lycopene which is rich in carotenoid in the blood serum was discovered to be a key antioxidant that protect against ARMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration). This condition can cause blindness.

8.Tomatoes are really high in vitamin C,Calcium,Potassium and Vitamin A.

9.Cooked tomatoes may boost your body's ability to prevent skin damage from the ultra violent rays of the sun.This will prevent early aging of the skin.

10.Dietitians discovered that tomatoes and tomato sauce can help to lower urinary tract symptoms and prevent cancers of the neck.

To make your tomatoes last long,it is best you keep it unwashed at room temperature and out of contact with sunlight.Do not refrigerate your tomatoes as this can affect the flavor of the tomatoes.

Nutritional value of 100g of Tomato

Energy-75kj
Carbohydrate 3.8g
-Sugars-2.6g
Dietary fat-1.2g
Fat 0.2g
Protein-0.9g
Water 94.5g
Viatmin A equivalent 42ug
-beta carotene 448ug
-lutein and zeaxabthin 123ug
Thiamnine (vitamin B1) 0.037mg
Niacin 9Vitamin B3) 0.594mg
Viatmin B6 0.08mg
Viatmin C 14mg
vitamin E 0.54mg
Viatmin K 7.9UG
Magnesium 11mg
Manganese 0.114 mg
Phosphorus 24 mg
Potassium 237 mg
Lycopene 2573 ug

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Good info, I like tomatoes, hardly prepare dishes without tomato