In the next few weeks, large quantities of Ohio-grown tomatoes will be harvested. Tomatoes continue to be a popular vegetable. The official Ohio juice is tomato juice. This is because of late Ohio Gov. Jim Rhodes, who was a strong supporter of Ohio products, including tomatoes. He liked Ohio tomato juice and helped make it the official juice. Our tomato season is from late July through September.
The state's commercial tomato crop grows mainly in northwest Ohio, in the region from Fremont to Toledo. Ohio processing plants Heinz, Campbell Soup and Hirzel Co. process only tomato products. Hirzel is an Ohio company that dates to 1923. Their canned products use the brand name Dei Fratelli. During late summer — the peak canning season — you will savor the pleasant tomato aroma as you drive by these canning plants.
Annual world tomato production is 130 million tons. More than 80 percent of the U.S. crop is used for processed products.
The July 2014 Tufts University Health & Nutrition newsletter had a major report titled "How to Get Maximum Health Benefits from Tomatoes." Some of it is worth sharing with gardeners and readers.
Tomato nutrients are vital to good health.
• Vitamins: Tomatoes provide more than 10 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, copper, potassium and magnesium in a single cup ... and contain only 30 calories.
• Fiber: One cup of sliced raw tomatoes contain 2.2 grams of fiber, more than some breakfast foods.
• Heart Healthy: Tomato consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This is attributed to its potassium content. A tomato is among the highest source of potassium.
Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their rich red color and it also may contribute to cardiovascular protection. In a typical diet, tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene. Cooked tomatoes, including canned and other processed products, are a better way to get lycopene than raw tomatoes because heat breaks down the cell walls and releases the lycopene.
• Cancer Protection: Lycopene also may be a key to the anti-cancer benefits of tomatoes. Studies show a protective effect against prostate cancer risk, especially with cooked tomato products. Lycopene also may be of value with other types of cancer.
• Eye Health: Tomatoes are a good source of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which are associated with protection against age-related macular degeneration. One cup of canned tomatoes contains 48 macrograms of lutein, plus zeaxanthin.
After finishing today's column it was time for lunch. What did I select? Tomato soup! It tasted better than ever, including the lycopene.
Tomatoes, like potatoes and peppers, belong to the nightshade family. Their leaves contain alkaloids that can be toxic to pets. In early times it was thought the tomato was poisonous. Today it is considered one of the healthiest choices among produce.
There are three ways to classify tomatoes. They are fruit shape, the time they take to mature and the color.
There are five major fruit shapes. From the smallest to the largest, they are: cherry, plum, pear, standard and beefsteak. According to weight, a cherry tomato has a weight of 0.25 to 1 ounce. They are produced in clusters like grapes.
Plum and pear tomatoes are fruit shaped and weigh between 2 to 6 ounces.
Normally they have meaty interiors, thick fruit walls and less gel than others.
Standard tomatoes are a round to globe shape with a weight of 4 to 8 ounces. A beefsteak size can be two pounds or more. The shape is called oblate (flattened).
Richard Poffenbaugh is a retired biology teacher and active home gardener since 1960. He is a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club and was editor of the club newsletter "The Greenhorn" for 21 years. He resides in Ontario with his wife Barbara. Reach him at 419-529-2966.