From Poison to Plate: The Untold History of the Tomato

Discover the fascinating history of the tomato! Once feared and believed to be poisonous in 18th-century Europe, tomatoes were avoided because they belong to the nightshade family. Many aristocrats fell ill after eating them, but the real culprit was their pewter plates, which had a high lead content that reacted with the tomato's acidity, causing lead poisoning. It wasn't until the 19th century that this myth was debunked. Thanks to pioneers like Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson, who famously ate a basket of tomatoes in 1820 to prove they were safe, tomatoes eventually became the beloved culinary staple we know today. Next time you enjoy a juicy tomato, remember its dramatic journey from fear to fame!