Uses/ Applications

The tomato has its origin in America. After lengthy selection and crossbreeding process’s by many breeders and growers there are now many different varieties available for consumption with good quality and taste properties. There are over 60 different types of tomato with the most common being, loose tomatoes, vine tomatoes, beef tomatoes and cherry tomatoes.

 Tomatoes grown in the Netherlands are always cultivated in a greenhouse. In a controlled environment and with the right amount of water and nutrients it is possible to achieve optimum quality and production results.Dutch tomatoes are available from April through to October.

Recipes

If you wish to know which delicious dishes you can make using tomatoes, then take a look at the website of the groente en fruit bureau (fruit and vegetables office). It has recipes and more information on fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin bomb

A tomato is packed with vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6 and several minerals. A tomato also contains lycopene, which is an important antioxidant. Lycopene has been considered a potential agent for prevention of some types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. A tomato is a real vitamin bomb, when you consume a tomato you will have already ingested half of the recommended daily intake of vegetables. An added advantage is that along with being healthy a tomato is also simply delicious.

When you buy a tomato it should have a nice red colour, feel firm to touch and the skin should be undamaged. You can also see by the condition of the crown (stem) if the tomato is fresh.Tomatoes should be stored in a cool location, but not in a refrigerator as this has an adverse effect on the taste.