Nothing adds color and flavor like the tomato. And not just in cooking, but also in the garden. First you see the yellow of its flowers and then the fruit's transition from green to red, passing through shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes even pink.
Initially, when it first arrived in Europe, the tomato was believed to be toxic. Red is often a color that signifies alert. Therefore, it was initially used for ornamentation, something that also happened with potatoes.
Through this article, we will hear from Julio. In his fields, he has several varieties, including the Valencian tomato. At this moment, he is concerned about a pest, so he will also tell us how he combats it using an ecological method.
We always say it: Agriculture is not as simple as planting a seed, watering it, and leaving the plant in the sun. Agriculture is hard, conscious work that requires daily attention. So, let's learn about tomato cultivation. But first, let's briefly explore the origins of this delicious fruit.
Origin of the tomato
Like many fruits and vegetables, the tomato arrived in Europe from the American continent. It grew wild in the areas of Peru and Ecuador, but it is said that the first to domesticate these plants were the Aztecs. Its name comes from these ancient Mexican inhabitants, from the Nahuatl language: tomat.
The curious thing is that avocado comes from the same area and its name also has Nahuatl origins. If you want to know more, we recommend this article that talks about the history and origin of avocado. Now let's continue with the tomato.
As we mentioned, once it arrived in Europe, it was used ornamentally. From the 18th century onwards, it began to be cultivated for food purposes and quickly grew in popularity. And, of course, once it reached Valencia, it became part of the cultivation tradition, so much so that there is one of the varieties that Julio cultivates: the Valencian tomato.
About tomato cultivation
Like peppers and potatoes, tomatoes belong to the Solanaceae family of flowering plants. The plant is completely covered in fine hairs through which it absorbs water and nutrients. Its leaves are aromatic and have serrated edges.
They are plants that flower abundantly, and from their flowers, tomatoes begin to emerge, taking on their characteristic red color once they reach maturity.
Julio tells us that the tomatoes he cultivates in his field are hybrids: We've had to sacrifice local varieties because they are sprawling, they are grown on the ground.
Among sprawling plants, we have zucchini, a plant for which growing close to the ground works, but not for tomatoes.
As Julio tells us: Tomatoes are staked to obtain good quality fruits. We have chosen this method of cultivation because it is more difficult for them to develop in optimal and healthier conditions on the ground.
Staking tomatoes makes the plants produce more, makes fruit harvesting more comfortable, and helps control pests and diseases.
In this image, you can see Eduardo, founder of Campos del Abuelo, next to a staked tomato plant. Look how sturdy that structure appears:
The Tuta absoluta plague in tomato cultivation
One of the pests that tomato growers like Julio have to face is the Tuta absoluta. The Tuta absoluta is a small insect similar to a moth that affects the fruit at any of its stages and "mines" it, meaning it makes tunnels while feeding on it.
To combat it, our fellow farmer uses biological control with insects that feed on the eggs and larvae of the Tuta absoluta. Julio tells us about this:
The Tuta absoluta hides between the stem and the tomato, also damaging the fruit stems, always seeking sheltered places. Treatments for this pest, in addition to being ecological, must be respectful of these insects that feed on the Tuta absoluta, which is why we use sulfur.
The insects that feed on the Tuta absoluta arrive because Julio has different plants in his field where they live. At the beginning of spring, he intentionally places them in the hedges, where they live and feed on the Tuta absoluta. The positive thing is that they do not affect the plant and maintain a balance of damage-benefit.
Another pest that can affect Solanaceae crops is the beetle. In this article about potato cultivation, Vicent, an agroecological farmer, gives the example that, to fight against this type of insect, he uses crop rotation.
Another tool that Julio uses is sulfur in his crops, considered very useful for combating fungi and allowed in organic farming. About this, Julio tells us: When dry, sulfur leaves white spots on the surface of the fruit or vegetable, which helps eliminate mites. Sulfur poses no risk, as in organic farming it has a one-day or no waiting period, meaning it can be applied and harvested on the same day.
A little about its origin, cultivation with Julio, and one of the pests that affect tomatoes, but we still don't know why it was considered toxic. Let's find out the reason because it's a very curious story.
Why was the tomato considered toxic in the past?
As we said at the beginning, when it first arrived in Europe, the tomato was believed to be toxic. This was because people who ate it would actually die. But rest assured, it wasn't the tomato's fault.
It was observed that those who were poisoned were people who ate with tableware. If someone found a tomato on the street and ate it, nothing happened to them. Now, if they were sitting at a table and used plates, well, they would most likely end up badly.
The real problem was that the plates used were made with a lead alloy. So, when the plates came into contact with the acidity of the tomato, the lead was released, ended up in the diner's body, and led to their death.
When this was discovered, the potential toxicity of the tomato was dismissed, and it became very popular in European kitchens. As popular as it is today.
Knowing this story, and although initially the relationship with tomatoes in our lands began with certain altercations, we can affirm that today it is basic in our cuisine and in our diet. And of course, also in our fields.
Remember that by visiting our online store you can purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables directly from the field to your home. In addition, you can customize your box with the products and quantities you want starting from one kilogram. Our products are free of post-harvest chemicals and do not undergo any type of refrigeration.
See you next time and thanks for reading!
