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Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World
Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World | William Alexander
10 posts | 2 read | 3 to read
New York Times bestselling author William Alexander takes readers on a surprisingly twisty journey through the history of the beloved tomato in this fascinating and erudite microhistory. The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Stored in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, appropriated as wartime propaganda, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato is the Rodney Dangerfield of foods. Yet, the tomato is the most popular vegetable in America (and, in fact, the world). It holds a place in America's soul like no other vegetable, and few other foods. Each summer, tomato festivals crop up across the country; John Denver had a hit single titled "homegrown Tomatoes;" and the Heinz tomato ketchup bottle, instantly recognizable, is in the Smithsonian. Author William Alexander is on a mission to get tomatoes the respect they deserve. Supported by meticulous research but told in a lively, accessible voice, Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World will seamlessly weave travel, history, humor, and a little adventure (and misadventure) to follow the tomato's trail through history. A fascinating story complete with heroes, con artists, conquistadors and, no surprise, the Mafia, this book is a mouth-watering, informative, and entertaining guide to the good that has captured our hearts for generations.
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IriDas
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#chatterday2025

Today we are at the laundromat in the morning, then I will be working on getting some plants repotted; groceries; reading. I think that‘s all.

AllDebooks Have a great day 😀 2w
kspenmoll I read on my porch early morning but the daddy house wren would not stop his rapid screaming /chattering at me/ his partner has a nest in one of what I thought were pretend bird houses.I bowed to his continuous agitation & came inside.Now I am doing errands, grocery store, etc. I have decide to enjoy my coffee in the many teacups I own now that I am not rushing off to work-they are a symbol of my mother, who used teacups-of her talk & love. 2w
IriDas @AllDebooks thanks. You too 2w
IriDas @kspenmoll Those birds are so territorial. The tea cups sound like a nice memory. :) 2w
AllDebooks @kspenmoll how kind of you to leave your space to an agitated wren! I'm a firm believer in our gardens being a shared space with nature. I have 2 main seating areas for us to hang out in my garden. The rest is given over to the wildlife. I love spotting new species and this is growing year on year. Yesterday, I found a cucumber spider and a swallowtail moth. I also found my first fox and cubs, which was a delight. 2w
16 likes5 comments
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IriDas
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This is my read for the weekend. Want to get it finished by Sunday. I had put it on hold for my break for some reason. Also, made my own iced coffee this morning. I‘m definitely not a natural at it. Part of me is saying to stick with tea. :D

#morningcoffee
#morningreading

TheBookHippie 🙃😅 let me know how the book is! 2w
11 likes1 comment
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IriDas
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Last few days of summer break. Back to work on Monday.

#summer
#poolsidereading

kspenmoll Enjoy the time you have left!! 2w
15 likes1 comment
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IriDas
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Book off my shelf.
Comfort read.
Library book.

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IriDas
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Current non-fiction read with my funky weather blanket in the background. The orange color is for 60s. And I will probably mostly use that all year. #beachlife #weekends

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

I gifted this to my foodie husband months ago. He enjoyed it and read several passages to me which he was particularly entertained by. It was this month‘s pick for my local bookstore‘s book club so I read it myself and really liked it too. Great discussion and the facilitator brought two types of tomatoes for us to sample. She also played Homegrown Tomatoes by John Denver which was new to me.

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Lindy
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Pickpick

A fun and informative microhistory of the tomato, told in ten chapters. The author‘s tone is sometimes too jocular for my taste — “I‘m no historian. I‘m barely a writer.”— but audiobook narrator Paul Bellantoni provided enough gravitas to keep me listening.

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Lindy
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The mere fungus of an offensive plant, which one cannot touch without an immediate application of soap & water with an infusion of eau de cologne to sweeten the hand, tomatoes, the twin brothers to soured & putrescent potato balls, deliver us, oh ye caterers of luxury, ye gods & goddesses of the science of cookery, deliver us from tomatoes.
—Boston Courier, 1834
(Internet photo)

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Lindy
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A 2014 study found that between an astounding 1/4 to 1/3 of Americans‘ caloric, saturated fat and sodium intake was coming from pizza.

(Internet photo)

5feet.of.fury I‘m probably bringing up the average 😂 3y
Lindy @5feet.of.fury 🍕😂 3y
30 likes2 comments
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Lindy
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The gardeners must have been wistfully thinking, “Well, this silly citrus fad will die out with the king & these guys never last long.” The Sun King ruled for 72 years and 110 days, a record still waiting to be broken. Looking‘ at you, Queen E.

(Internet photo of the Versailles orangerie)

Dilara Louis XIV lived long for sure, but to be fair, he also became king at the age of 4, when his father died, which is not something we would wish on anyone, even Queen E 😋 3y
Lindy @Dilara May she rest in peace. (And good point about Louis XIV.) 3y
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