Today, we are sharing research about tomatoes. UC Davis has a great link page to articles about tomatoes focusing mostly on growing and tomato issues.  We are only sharing information about eating and cooking with tomatoes but if you are interested in tomatoes, you can follow the main link to the extensive list.

• The first article we thought you might like reading is about the difference between tomatoes grown under commercial organic and conventional production systems. In this article, it states that 43% of people buy organic because of taste, 28% because of ideology and 24% because of animal welfare friendly production.  The study only looked at four growers so their information while extensive is not enough to make strong conclusions.  The study found that their is an increased flavour in organic tomatoes and reduced energy requirements to make juice but the red color is not as intense and there is less ascorbic acid adn total phenolics.
• There are 100s of different types of tomatoes.  Here is a link to a list of varieties you can grow. They are organized by variety, shape or skin color.  My favorite names are Burpee’s Big Boy, Chalks Early Jewel, Cream Sausage, Fried Green Tomato, Green Grape, Lollipop and Mr. Ugly.   I am thinking it may be time to start planning a garden filled with tomatoes just so I can say I’m growing some lollipops and Mr. Uglies.
• Tomatoes and their effects on prostate cancer. The first article is a Prospective study of tomatoe Products, Lycopene and Prostate Cancer.  The next article related to cancer and tomatoes is Lycopene/tomato consumption and the risk of prostate cancer.
• If you want to make Dun dried tomatoes using an oven or the sun, here is a link to a recipe you can use.

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Photo of tomatoes by Jeremy Segrott