We think the tomato is a vegetable,but it is actually a fruit. Because it is not sweet and is used for providing flavor (滋味) to food,we think of it as a vegetable.
The tomato is from Mexico. Spanish explorers (探险者) who went to South America about 500 years ago brought back the tomato to Europe. The French called tomatoes "love apples",while the British called them "apples of gold". Young men made rings of tomato seeds and gave them to their loved ones.
The first people in Europe to eat tomatoes were Italians. As far back as 500 years ago,the joys of eating fried tomatoes with salt were known to them. They also discovered that the tomato made pasta (意大利面) taste better.
In other countries like England,tomatoes were thought to have poison (毒) in them. But people grew them in their gardens because of their beautiful colors and looks. They even thought that tomatoes caused diseases. But they soon got over their fear and began to eat tomatoes.
It is believed that the British brought the tomato to India. This was about 300 years ago. Gradually,the people of Bengal started discovering that the tomato gave a good flavor to their dishes. Today,the whole world is crazy about the tomato.