Tomato
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Major Growing Areas
Originally from places such as Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, tomatoes are now widely grown in places such as China, India, the United States, Turkey and Egypt.
Varieties
Also known as love apple or wolf peach. While tomatoes come in many varieties, red tomatoes are more commonly recognised. Tomatoes also come in orange, yellow, green and purple colours, and are often round or oval in shape. Cherry tomatoes, a variety of a smaller size, are sweet and fragrant.
Nutritional Values
Rich in water (accounting for about 95% of its weight) and vitamin C. The amount of vitamin C in a medium-sized tomato (about 100 g) is approximately equivalent to ¼ of the recommended daily intake. Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, which is an antioxidant that helps promote cell health and prevent diseases.
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| Per 100 g (Approximately equivalent to one medium-sized tomato) |
| Energy |
16 kcal |
| Dietary Fibre |
1.3 g |
| Vitamin C |
24 mg |
| Potassium |
200 mg |
Buying and Cooking Tips
The best tomatoes should be plump with smooth skin and vibrant green stems. Tomatoes can be used for preparing different Chinese and western dishes. They are suitable for braising, stir-frying and soup-making. Smaller in size, cherry tomatoes can be consumed as a healthy snack, and are often used as a salad ingredient or a garnish.
Fun Facts
The tomato was selected by TIME as one of the top 10 healthiest foods as it is nutrient-dense. Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red colour, is an antioxidant. Tomatoes of a darker red colour contain more lycopene and are sweeter in taste. Since lycopene is fat-soluble, cooking tomatoes with an appropriate amount of a healthy plant oil can help the body absorb lycopene.
Common Dishes:
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes; Spaghetti Bolognese; Fish, Tomato and Potato Soup, etc.
"One serving of vegetables" is approximately equivalent to:
½ bowl of cooked tomatoes or one bowl of uncooked sliced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
Note: One bowl = 250-300 ml
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