Question

Novak & Sons produces tomato juice and tomato puree from fresh tomatoes grown by local farmers. The company purchases large crates of tomatoes and then washes, sorts, scalds, peels, and crushes them. After the initial processing, the company separates the juice from the solids, resulting in both tomato juice and tomato puree. The juice is bottled and sold as is, while the puree is further processed into tomato paste.

Answer 1

Tomatoes originated in South America and became widespread thanks to the Spanish. They were incorporated into many cuisines and took a significant turn with the introduction of the FlavrSavr Tomato, the first genetically modified tomato with a longer shelf life.

Tomatoes have a rich history, originating in the coastal highlands of western South America before being cultivated by the Maya in Mesoamerica. The Spanish brought tomatoes to Europe, where misconceptions about their toxicity arose due to the odor of their leaves. Over time, tomatoes became integral to 'Spanish' cuisine and spread across Europe and other parts of the world, woven into the culinary fabric of various regions including Portugal, North Africa, Italy, and countries under the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs.

The FlavrSavr Tomato, introduced in 1994, was the first genetically modified crop to enter the market, heralding a new era in agriculture with its extended shelf life due to slowed softening and rotting processes. While it aimed to improve flavor and shelf life, the FlavrSavr tomato faced challenges in maintenance and shipping which led to its market exit.