logo
Sinful. Poisonous. Stinky? How tomatoes overcame their wicked reputation

Sinful. Poisonous. Stinky? How tomatoes overcame their wicked reputation

Tomatoes were reviled for centuries—so how did we come to embrace them? This small New Jersey town claims to have played a major role. Once called the "poison apple," tomatoes were thought to be supernatural and sinful—especially because of their red color. Photograph by The Maas Gallery, London / Bridgeman Images
While Salem, Massachusetts gets all the hype for its infamous 1692 witch trials, there's another city called Salem—this time in New Jersey—that's tied to a rather legendary tale where tomatoes were the enemy.
(Witch hunts were common in the 17th century. Here's what made Salem infamous.)
There are many myths and legends about how the tomato was once seen as the so-called 'poison apple,' but how it lost its evil reputation and became a beloved piece of produce is a complicated story. According to historian Andrew F. Smith, author of The Tomato in America: Early History, Culture, and Cookery, the tale involves a farmer and horticulturist who went to brazen lengths to prove the tomato was safe to eat. Aristocrats would fall ill or die when they consumed tomatoes—but it was the plates they were eating on that posed the problem. Photograph by O. F. Cook, Nat Geo Image Collection
In 1544, Italian herbalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli classified the tomato as both a nightshade and a mandrake—a category of food known as an aphrodisiac. The tomato was often referred to as a 'love apple' and kept at arm's length.
Later in 1597, prominent English herbalist and botanist John Gerard called tomatoes 'corrupt' and 'of rank and stinking savor' in his book, Herbal. This statement essentially sealed the tomato's fate in Great Britain and later the American colonies.
By the 18th century, the tomato was nicknamed the 'poison apple' because aristocrats would fall ill or die after consuming them. But it wasn't the consumption of the tomato that triggered their illness or death. Instead, it was the plates the wealthy used to dine on—specifically the pewter plate. These plates contained high levels of lead that, when mixed with the natural acidity of the tomato, caused lead poisoning.
(How the simple fork almost tore apart the fabric of society.)
In his book, Smith notes that some of the earliest references of tomatoes in American colonies were in the late 18th century, but people were growing the fruit out of curiosity, not eating them. 'For those who came to America in the colonial period, it just wasn't on their agenda,' says Smith. The rise in tomatoes with myth and folklore
According to Smith, large-scale immigration to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—particularly from Italians, who brought with them the invention of pizza—contributed to the eventual consumption of tomatoes.
(Think you know who invented pizza? These foods have surprising global origins.)
But it was Robert Gibbon Johnson, a farmer and horticulturist from Salem, New Jersey, who had a lasting impression on the general public's opinion of tomatoes. According to legend, Johnson stood on the Salem's courthouse steps in 1820, eating a basket full of tomatoes for all the public to see. When he didn't die of poison, word spread that tomatoes were safe to eat. Despite there being no record of Johnson's actions on the courthouse steps in Salem, that didn't stop this New Jersey town from playing along with the tale. Photograph by Justin Locke, Nat Geo Image Collection
Smith did find evidence that Johnson actually grew tomatoes, so 'it's certainly possible that his work encouraged others to consume,' he says. But Smith notes that a lot of other folks were growing tomatoes at the time, so this isn't the sole reason the fruit became popular. By the 1830s, an array of tomato cookbooks and recipes were being published in America.
Rich Guido, executive director and librarian of the Salem County Historical Society, believes this tall tale is typical of a small rural town that's passionate about their local history, even if the story may have a lot of half-truths.
'We've always had a connection with history and being a rural agricultural community—that's why the tomato story really comes into play,' says Guido. How the tomato lives on in Salem
Although there is no physical evidence or documentation of Johnson's tomato trial, that hasn't stopped people from embracing this tale. Sickler eventually recounted the story to Harry Emerson Wildes, an American sociologist and historian, who wrote about it in his 1940 book, The Delaware. Stewart Holbrook added further embellishment to the event in his 1946 book, Lost Men of American History.
On January 30, 1949, CBS radio gave the narrative even more notoriety when it broadcast a reenactment of Johnson famously eating a tomato on the show, You Are There; Sickler acted as a historical consultant for the show.
In New Jersey's Salem, from 1989 till 2022, the town held the Salem Tomato Festival, where locals and visitors would watch reenactments of Johnson's event, wear costumes, and, of course, eat tomatoes. However, according to Guido, the festival was put on hold when it was revealed that Johnson was a slaveholder to Amy Hester Reckless.
As to why Salem and New Jersey embraced this legendary tale as the obscure history of the Garden State, Curtis Harker, records manager at the County of Salem, thinks it's the love of the Salem tomato—which also involved a certain ketchup company at one point.
(How Henry Heinz used ketchup to improve food safety.)
'It's a combination of the love of the huge flavorful Salem tomato plopped on a hamburger, Heinz Company's citywide aroma making ketchup in Salem City for 100 years until 1977, and the amusing story of Johnson bravely eating a tomato on the courthouse steps,' he says.
Although the lore around Johnson has been tarnished by his slaveholding, the tomato continues to maintain its grip on this small New Jersey town.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

100 not out! These 3 SA grannies celebrated a century of birthdays
100 not out! These 3 SA grannies celebrated a century of birthdays

News24

time2 hours ago

  • News24

100 not out! These 3 SA grannies celebrated a century of birthdays

The families of three grandmothers wanted to celebrate their centenarian matriarchs this week. Ouma Lydia de Kock from Cradock, granny Amy Canham from Port St Johns and Johanna Marais all blew out their candles in June and July. Some of their best advice for life includes remaining eager to learn, drinking tea and this sagest of quotes: 'mind your own business'. They've lived through a world war, a global pandemic, the rise and fall of apartheid and the macarena. Over the past few weeks, News24 received three separate emails from three different families celebrating their grandmothers who can all call themselves centenarians. Ouma Lydia de Kock from Cradock and granny Amy Canham from Port St Johns both turned 100, while Johanna Marais from Cape Town turned the ripe old age of 105 not out. Beautiful letters were sent this week honouring their beloved, and we share them below. An English girl turned Stellenbosch farm wife Ouma Lydia de Kock from Cradock, met her husband Frikkie le Roux in the 1940s at Stellenbosch University where she obtained a BA degree and he a BCom degree. Supplied They married directly after her studies and settled on the family farm Vlakkenheuwel in the Hermon/Riebeek Kasteel district, where this English village girl emerged as a successful farmer's wife. She and Grandpa Frikkie were married for 65 years at the time of his death at 92, and have three children, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was actively involved in community initiatives such as the VLV and as chairperson of the Leeskring until her 80s. She is a sports enthusiast and never misses a rugby or cricket match on television. She also enjoys watching golf and the Tour de France and knows the names of most of the great sportsmen. Grandma Lydia is in brilliant health and still quite mobile – although she has to do it stealthily if she wants to move around her room herself – and her memory is better than that of her children, who are all in their seventies. We believe the secret to grandma's longevity and clarity of mind is the fact that she has always been curious and eager to learn – her brain has not retired. And oh yes, she enjoys a glass of wine during family visits to the farm! Drinking tea and 'minding your own business' This June, our beloved granny Amy Canham celebrated her 100th birthday, a milestone few reach, and even fewer do with the grace, humour, and wisdom that she carries so effortlessly. Born in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape in 1925, she grew up during a time of great difficulty in South Africa, but she met each challenge with quiet resilience. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she raised three of her children and helped raise generations after, always with love, patience, and strong values. Her life was one of service, to her family, community, and faith. She worked hard on her farm, believes in simplicity, and always welcomed others with open arms and a warm meal. She lived through world wars, apartheid, the birth of democracy and Covid-19, always keeping her dignity and kindness intact. She has seen it all, from fetching water in buckets to seeing Facebook posts and wondering 'How did you find out about that?'... to video calls with her great-grandchildren, even those who live in New Zealand. When asked how she made it to 100, she smiled and shared her simple recipe for a long life: 'Drink tea, stay active, and mind your own business.' She adds with a laugh, 'Also, never stop learning and always keep a little sweet for later.' Her 100th birthday was a beautiful gathering of family and friends, with laughter, stories, and even a few tears. Letters and messages poured in, a reminder of just how deeply she has touched lives. We honour you, granny - for every lesson, every hug, and every prayer. Happy 100th birthday gran. A visit from Cape Town's first citizen Originally published on and sent to News24, Johanna Marais received a special visit from Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis last week at Panorama Palms for her 105th birthday. Her entry read a little something like this: After matriculating at Charlie Hofmeyer in Ceres, she qualified as a nurse. She then had a career in banking for more than 30 years and worked at Barclays Bank (now FNB) in Strand Street in Cape Town until her retirement as a senior supervisor. Supplied She has been a resident of Panorama Palms since May 1999. She lived independently in one of the apartments until December 2010 until her first stroke. After a follow-up stroke in 2019, she went to the weakened care facility and made use of a wheelchair. With a chair gym she regained the use of her arms after the stroke. She enjoys watching rugby and athletics and loves gospel music. Her favourite dish is water cauliflower stew. She is much loved among the staff of Panorama Palms. Once again, Congratulations!

Why ItaliaChains Has the Best Moissanite Tennis Chains (And Why Yours Keeps Flipping)
Why ItaliaChains Has the Best Moissanite Tennis Chains (And Why Yours Keeps Flipping)

Time Business News

time10 hours ago

  • Time Business News

Why ItaliaChains Has the Best Moissanite Tennis Chains (And Why Yours Keeps Flipping)

If you've ever worn a men's tennis chain that flips more than a politician during election week, chances are it didn't come from ItaliaChains. Because let's be honest — the moissanite tennis chain might be one of the shiniest pieces in men's jewelry, but not all of them are created equal. Especially when 90% of what's out there is mass-produced in China, with stones that fall out faster than your trust in gas station sushi. Enter: — the real ones behind the best handmade Italian tennis chains, made from solid 925 sterling silver, set with VVS D-color moissanite, and polished smooth like a glass of aged limoncello. Let's start with the obvious: these chains are actually made in Italy. Not 'Italy-inspired,' not 'Italy-designed,' and definitely not 'ships from Italy but made in who-knows-where.' ItaliaChains handcrafts their moissanite tennis chains in Arezzo, Italy, the jewelry capital of the country. Each link is carefully engineered and polished to lie flat and smooth on the neck — no flipping, twisting, or awkward tangling. Because what's the point of an iced-out chain if the back of it is always the part showing? Look, we're not here to throw shade — but let's call it what it is. Mass-produced Chinese tennis chains often: Use cheap prongs or glue to hold stones (not good) Don't have proper link balancing, so the chain flips like a pancake Feature stones that look shiny… until you turn on the light shiny… until you turn on the light Are plated over brass or mystery metal instead of real silver Meanwhile, ItaliaChains offers: Real VVS D-color moissanite stones — yes, they pass the diamond tester stones — yes, they pass the diamond tester Solid 925 sterling silver bases or 14k gold vermeil over silver bases or over silver Hand-set stones that won't pop out the second you sneeze that won't pop out the second you sneeze Polished links that are smooth, flexible, and made to lay flat like a pro 1. 'This moissanite tennis chain looks better than my friend's real diamonds. No one can tell the difference — not even the jeweler.' — Andre M., New York, NY 2. 'Finally, a tennis chain that doesn't flip! I've worn mine every day for two months and it still sits perfectly flat.' — Brian S., Los Angeles, CA 3. 'I bought the 4mm moissanite tennis chain from ItaliaChains and paired it with their matching bracelet. People think I dropped 10K — I let them think that.' — Jason R., Miami, FL 4. 'I compared mine to one I bought from another site. The ItaliaChains version was heavier, the stones were brighter, and it didn't turn my neck green.' — Elijah W., Chicago, IL 5. 'Customer service helped me pick the right length, and the quality blew me away. Handmade in Italy really does hit different.' — Marcus D., Houston, TX If you're looking for a moissanite tennis chain that shines like diamonds, doesn't flip like a fish, and actually lasts more than two parties, is where it's at. With real Italian craftsmanship, GRA-certified moissanite, and no middleman markup, they're delivering men's tennis chains that check every box: ✅ Shine✅ Weight✅ Comfort✅ Durability ✅ Not made in a warehouse that also sells fidget spinners Skip the hype. Go for the handmade. ItaliaChains has the smoothest, iciest, flattest moissanite tennis chains on the market — and your neck will thank you. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Woman Tries to Impress Her Boyfriend with a Homemade Dinner. His Reaction Disappoints Her
Woman Tries to Impress Her Boyfriend with a Homemade Dinner. His Reaction Disappoints Her

Yahoo

time14 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Woman Tries to Impress Her Boyfriend with a Homemade Dinner. His Reaction Disappoints Her

He thanked her for cooking but admitted the meal wasn't impressive, and now he's wondering if he was too honest A man turns to the Reddit community for advice following a tense moment with his girlfriend after a home-cooked meal didn't quite earn the reaction she'd hoped for. The 23-year-old shares that he and his 22-year-old girlfriend recently moved in together after dating for over a year. 'We both work weird hours,' he writes in his post, explaining that their usual dinner routine leans heavily on takeout. 'But when we do have a home-cooked meal, it's usually me who cooks.' The boyfriend grew up in an Italian family and says that while he doesn't consider himself a master chef, he can throw together a solid dinner. His girlfriend, on the other hand, grew up eating 'frozen pizzas, canned soup, and microwave meals,' and rarely cooks. On this particular night, he comes home from work to find that his girlfriend has made spaghetti and meatballs. 'I thanked her for making dinner and ate a large portion because I was starving,' he recalls. But when she asked how he liked it, his low-key response didn't land well. 'I said it was good, but I didn't really say it with any enthusiasm,' he explains, clarifying that he didn't mean to sound rude but was just answering honestly. His girlfriend seemed disappointed and asked what she had done wrong. He reassured her that 'she did nothing wrong. It's just basic spaghetti and meatballs.' She pressed further, confused because she thought it was a meal he loved. He admitted he did love it, but added, 'since she asked, I pointed out that she had used frozen meatballs and sauce from a jar.' He emphasizes that there's nothing wrong with that. 'I was happy to eat it,' he says, but didn't understand what kind of reaction she was expecting from something so simple. 'She said she wanted to impress me,' he continued, and that's when it clicked. 'I realized that she has so little experience with cooking that she really didn't understand the difference between what she made vs. a homemade meal.' Feeling bad about his reaction, he apologized. 'I realize that to her, this is a huge effort and a step up from what she is used to,' he admits, adding that he thanked her again and suggested they cook together later in the week. She accepted the apology, but he notes she 'went to bed early' and believes she's still hurt. 'I think she is still upset,' he writes, wondering if he's in the wrong. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He stresses that he wasn't trying to criticize her. 'I myself have used frozen meatballs and jar sauce many times out of convenience,' he says. 'I was simply being honest when she asked me why I wasn't more excited about it.' Reddit users offered their thoughts, with one commenter writing, 'Now that you realize that she took that extra step to learn, I think you did the right thing after the fact by apologizing.' They added, 'She wanted you to be proud of her… Next time just be a little more considerate of her feelings.' Another agreed he handled it well in the end. 'Not the AH,' they wrote. 'When you realized how big it was to her, you made it better with understanding and an apology.' Though the night didn't go as his girlfriend had hoped, the poster seems committed to making it right. 'She's trying to learn,' he says, 'and I thanked her again.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store