Ketchup was once popular as a medicine for 20 years. Q: Does it come with French fries?

All crops with the word "Hu" or "Fan" in their names are basically introduced from abroad. For example, carrots and walnuts, which we are familiar with, were introduced from overseas by Zhang Qian during the Han Dynasty.

Tomatoes are naturally an imported product.

Image source: pexels

The origin of tomato

Tomatoes come from the Andes region of South America. Their ancestors are wild currant tomatoes, which are very small and weigh only 1-2 grams, like bunches of grapes. In addition to tomatoes, this magical land also breeds peppers, potatoes and other ingredients.

Tomatoes were domesticated by humans as early as 500 BC, and the Aztecs (an Indian tribe) are considered to be the first tribe to grow tomatoes.

The Spanish first introduced it to Europe in the 16th century. The Aztecs first planted tomatoes for food, and the Spanish also introduced tomatoes as food, but in other European countries, the red tomatoes were first used as ornamental plants.

In the eyes of Europeans at that time, tomatoes were close relatives of some poisonous Solanaceae plants, so they were naturally assumed to be poisonous. In addition, the acid in tomatoes would corrode their tin plates, so rumors about the poisonousness of tomatoes spread.

Image source: pexels

But in fact, this statement is not without reason. Tomatoes are indeed poisonous. The toxicity comes from the tomatine contained in the leaves and unripe fruits. Excessive consumption can cause poisoning. However, if we eat ripe tomatoes, it is naturally healthy and safe.

Food transformed by painting

Two centuries after being introduced to Europe, Europeans have always been reluctant to eat tomatoes.

In the 18th century, the Spaniards, who were among the first people in Europe to start eating tomatoes, painted tomatoes together with other vegetables. Since then, some bold Europeans began to try eating tomatoes.

In the late 18th century, tomatoes were already appearing in Italian recipes. North America followed suit and in the late 19th century, tomatoes began to be widely used in North American cuisine.

Works by Spanish painter Luis Melendez (1716-1780)

The Spanish not only introduced tomatoes and made them edible, they also promoted them throughout Europe and America. The Spanish made an indelible contribution to the popularity of tomatoes.

Image source: Wikipedia

Connecting with China

According to records, tomatoes were introduced to China during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, they were called passion fruit or persimmon. They were first introduced from southern coastal areas such as Guangdong by sea, and there was also a route to Fujian from Taiwan, China.

Although it was introduced to China at an early date, it was not until the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China that Chinese people really started to eat tomatoes.

In Lao She's article "Tomatoes" written in 1935, tomatoes were described like this: tomatoes used to be "just something for children to play with", but now "they have gradually invaded Chinese restaurants from big British and French restaurants, and even Shandong restaurants have to advertise 'Tomato Shrimp'!"

Although Mr. Lao She severely satirized the Chinese people's craze for foreign food such as tomatoes at that time, it is undeniable that at that time, tomatoes had already begun to occupy an important position on the Chinese dining table.

Ketchup: My hometown is in China

Many people think that tomato ketchup, a derivative of tomato, is a product of European countries. As Chinese people, we must show our cultural confidence and tell the world loudly: ketchup comes from China!

If you have ever ordered food abroad, you will find that when the waiter asks if you need ketchup, he or she will usually say: "Do you need ketchup." After hearing this, I wonder if you will have this question in your mind: Why is ketchup in English called Ketchup instead of tomato sauce?

Image source: pexels

To answer this question, we have to start with the origin of ketchup. The word "ketchup" in English originally did not refer to ketchup, but to a fish sauce "ke tsiap" that originated from China.

The Chinese added the fish sauce to recipes in the 17th century for flavoring, and ke tsiap was brought to Malaysia and Indonesia, where it became kechap and ketjap, respectively.

English sailors in the 17th century discovered this delicious condiment from China and brought it to the West.

After coming to the West, the British tried to recreate the taste with ingredients such as anchovies or oysters and mushrooms. At this time, ketchup became a condiment mainly composed of mushrooms.

Later, the British brought ketchup to the United States, where creative Americans first added tomatoes to ketchup, and ketchup was born.

Image source: Wikipedia

Ketchup has many roles

Today, ketchup has become a popular condiment around the world, but in the 1830s, ketchup was used as a medicine.

Medical research has found that lycopene contained in tomatoes has a preventive effect on certain types of cancer. Lycopene can also inhibit bacterial growth and is an excellent antioxidant.

During the war years, ketchup was so trusted by soldiers that it was even concentrated into portable pills and sold, remaining popular for nearly 20 years.

The little tomato actually has such an interesting "life story". Next time you eat French fries, remember to ask for two more bags of ketchup~

END

Review expert: Wang Guoyi, postdoctoral fellow in food safety.

Tadpole Musical Notation original article, please indicate the source when reprinting

Editor/Xiao Xitushuo