And an Israeli company is developing a lycopene-rich tomato, Kucuk said, which could be on the market within the year. A diet rich in tomatoes could benefit just about everyone, Kucuk said. Studies indicate that lycopene appears to protect against cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and cervix. The Tomato Lycopersicon lycopersicum is the scientific term for the common tomato Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit. This is because, generally, a fruit is the edible part of the plant that contains the seeds, while a vegetable is the edible stems, leaves, and roots of the plant.
Tomatoes belong to the same family as nightshade, the tomato's deadly cousin.
Tomato seeds were taken back to Europe where they quickly found favor in the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Portugal and Italy. As the tomato traveled north, it was veiled in mystery. The people of Maine quickly followed suit, combining fresh tomatoes with local seafood. By 1850, the tomato was an important produce item in every American city. People were planting tomatoes in their home gardens, while farmers commercially produced fresh tomatoes throughout the year.