Tomato Season

Cherry tomatoes

Vine Ripe tomatoes
at the farmer's market.

With the end of August comes tomato season across the United States. Here in California some of the most popular tomatoes are those cultivated without additional irrigation as the dry hot summer starts. Heirloom tomatoes are also very popular, along with the miniature Cherry or Grape style tomatoes.

Tomatoes are believed to originate in the highlands of Peru. They were under widespread cultivation as far north as Mexico by 500 BCE. The Spanish brought them to Europe and the Philippines in the late 15th or early 16th century. Due to their ease of culture they became a staple food in Asia and Europe.