Tomato Facts
Nutrition Facts
- Lycopene, the red pigment in most tomatoes, has the most nutritional benefit when it is heated. So a sauce is more likely to provide more of this antioxidant than a fesh tomato.
- Orange or "tangerine" colored tomatoes provide more nutrition to humans than red tomatoes by being more "bioavailable". American Chemical Society (2007, February 6). The Tangerine: Top Tomato?. ScienceDaily.
- Despite claims to the contrary, most tomato varieties vary little in acidity. Rather it is the prescence of sugars and flavanoids (or lack thereof) which impart the perception of acidity.
Nutritional Value
- Tomato:chopped raw 1cup
- weight=180gm
- water content=94%
- calories=35
- protein=2g
- carbohydrates=8g
- fiber=3g
- fat=<1g
- saturated=.1g
- monounsaturated=.1g
- polyunsaturated=.2g
- cholesterol=0mg
- calcium=12mg
- iron=.86mg
- magnesium=20mg
- phosphorus=42mg
- potassium=372mg
- sodium=15mg
- zinc=.19mg
- vitamin A (RE)=204 (retinol equivalent)
- thiamin=.11mg
- riboflavin=.09mg
- niacin=1.08mg
- vitamin B6=.14mg
- folic acid=17 micrograms
- vitamin C=32mg (year round average, contents are higher in season, lower off season)
from "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversy" Hamilton, Whitney and Sizer, West Publishing 1988.
English=Tomato
French=tomate
Dutch=tomaat
German=Tomate
Danish=tomat
Spanish=tomate
Italian= pomodoro
pH range for growing tomatoes
Tomatoes do best when grown in a pH range of 5.5-7.5
Optiumum temperatures for growth
Optiumum temperatures for growth are 65-80F/18-27C days and 60-65F/16-18C nights.
Largest Plant
The largest tomato plant grown was of the cultivar 'Sungold' and reached 19.8 m (65 ft) in length, grown by Nutriculture Ltd (UK) of Mawdesley, Lancashire, UK
Largest Fruit
The largest fruit (7lbs 12 oz/3.51 kg) was grown by Gordon Graham of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Tomato FAQ
Tomato
FAQ from TAMU
