Welcome back 👋 

I hope you had a great weekend.

On today’s menu we’ve got an Italian staple.

Hint: It comes in different forms, sizes, and colors.

Can you guess what it is?

🥗

Starter

The Food Question ❓️ 

Is it a vegetable… or a fruit?

This may be one of the biggest food questions out there.

But one thing’s for sure: they are everywhere!!!

On your pizza, in your burgers, diced in salads, and hiding in your favorite sauces.

Once feared as “poison apples” in 16th-century Europe, they’re now a global staple in nearly every kitchen.

Tomatoes don’t just taste good - they’re loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and might even help you live longer.

So how does this edible red ball actually boost our health and longevity?

Let’s dig in. 👇

🥙

Main Course

🔎 The Truth About Tomatoes

What are tomatoes?

Tomatoes are botanically fruits (berries, to be exact 🤓) but are generally treated as vegetables.

They are high in water, low in calories, and typically red.

Where are they from?

Tomatoes originated in South and Middle America, where the Aztecs were eating them as early as 700 AD.

Spanish explorers brought them to Europe in the 16th century, where people first called them “poison apples” before realizing they were delicious. 🍅 

How big is the tomato industry?

Over 180 million tons of tomatoes are grown each year - that’s equivalent to the weight of almost 32 Great Pyramids of Giza. 🤯 

From ketchup bottles to Michelin-starred kitchens, you can find them everywhere.

Why do people eat them?

Because they’re versatile.

You can slice them on sandwiches, simmer them into sauces, roast them for soups, or snack on them straight from the garden.

💡 Fun fact: The heaviest tomato ever grown weighed 7.121 kg - that’s the weight of two newborn babies. 👀 

But are tomatoes good for us?

Absolutely!

They’re loaded with antioxidants like lycopene and beta carotene, which have both been linked to reduced cancer risk. 📉 

Furthermore, they also provide fiber, folate, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K - all supporting health, longevity, and overall vitality.

Other benefits of tomatoes?

Consuming tomatoes has been shown to

• improve heart health 💓 

• help prevent cancer

• protect against sunburns ☀️ 

• help with constipation

• boost brain health 🧠 

• promote skin health

• improve sperm motility 🍆 

• reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes

• increase immunity 🛡️

• lower blood pressure

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip: Salt your tomatoes a few minutes before eating.

It will draw out excess water, concentrate the flavor, and turn a good tomato into a real culinary experience. ✨ 

🍰

Dessert

🍅 5 Tomato Tips You Probably Didn’t Know

Tomatoes are a cheat code: throw them into almost any dish, and it tastes better.

But with a few smart tricks, you can unlock their full magic. 👇

🥗 Taste tip

Store tomatoes at room temperature until ripe for peak flavor.

Only store them in the fridge if you need them to last longer.

💓 Health tip

Lycopene is a fat-soluble antioxidant.

So drizzle olive oil, add avocado, or sprinkle cheese to maximize absorption.

🌱 Growth tip

Plant basil next to your tomatoes.

Not only does it repel pests, but it also helps your tomatoes grow sweeter and more flavorful.

🍳 Cooking tip

Need to peel tomatoes fast?

Drop them into boiling water for 20–30 seconds, then into ice water.

The skins slide right off - perfect for salsa, sauces, or canning.

Bonus tip: Mix it up! 🌈 

Red, yellow, orange, green, and purple tomatoes → different colors = different nutrients.

More color = more health ❤️