logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2020
39m 46s

That Time the US was Terrified of Tomato...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Nowadays the tomato is an ubiquitous foodstuff in households across the planet - but in the US, this humble staple was once considered downright poisonous... and, later, it was touted as a miracle cure. In today's episode, Ben and Noel explore the origin of the tomato, its rocky rise to modern fame, and how a few small historical misunderstandings may have led people to believe this beautiful fruit was a symbol of everything from lycanthropy to witchcraft.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets
How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next? In the second part this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore more of the Ridiculous History they didn't get ... Show More
28m 26s
Oct 8
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part Two: Apple Trees, Ice Cream Wars and Weird Nuclear Gadgets
How much do you know about the inner chaos of Carvel or Ben Cohen's quest to free Ben and Jerry's? Why are apple trees so different from one seed to the next? In the second part this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore more of the Ridiculous History they didn't get ... Show More
33m 44s
Oct 6
Ridiculous Stuff We Didn't Get To in 2026, Part One: 60 Minutes and Other Natural Wonders
Did the creators of the groundbreaking 60 Minutes show have any idea how popular they would become? What other wonders of the world need to be on that list of ancient spectacles? In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max gear up for a field trip to Ber ... Show More
36m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2020
Tomato, Tomato, Part 1
While the so-called “golden apple” has at times been viewed with suspicion, it has become a staple of summertime cuisine and may one day follow us to farms on other worlds. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe consider the tomato. Learn more about your ad-ch ... Show More
54m 17s
Jun 2016
Who Invented the Cherry Tomato?
In the 1960s, cherry tomatoes were nearly impossible to find in the grocery store. By the 1990s, it was hard to get a salad without them. Somehow, within a couple of decades, the tiny tomatoes had taken over. Where did they come from? And who lay behind their sudden rise to glory ... Show More
35m 25s
Aug 2020
Are Tomatoes a Fruit or Vegetable?
Developed from the ovary in the base of a flower containing the seeds of the plant. Must we adhere to this outdated and close-minded label, or can our food finally enjoy a more fluid identity? Today we ask: Are Tomatoes a Fruit or Vegetable? 
42m 47s
Dec 2020
You Say Tomato, I Say Tomatillo
On this episode, Zarela & Aarón contrast the tomato with its relative, the tomatillo. They invite their friend - and favorite tomato farmer - Tim Stark of Eckerton Hill Farm to join the conversation and explain how he grows his delicious produce. Tim weighs in on how the heirloom ... Show More
43m 46s
Apr 2017
A Brief History of Foreign Food in the U.S.
<p>One of the most diverse things about the U.S. is its food industry. Foodies obsessively seek out the “authentic” flavors of any given culture. But many of the foods brought to the U.S. via immigration were initially viewed with suspicion and disdain.</p><p> </p> Learn more abo ... Show More
37m 10s
Sep 2023
#214 Should you eat tomatoes? With Dr Rupy
Today we’re diving into the world of tomatoes, one of the most consumed ‘fruits’ globally with a rich heritage and mixed opinions on whether it’s healthful or harmful? I’m always asked whether patients should be eating nightshade family ingredients, whether it can excerbate athri ... Show More
45m 57s
Aug 2025
The Most Dangerous Fruit in America
It's the epitome of summertime: there’s nothing like a cold, juicy slice of red watermelon on a swelteringly hot day. But, once upon a time, watermelons were neither red nor sweet—the wild watermelon has white flesh and a bitter taste. This episode, we scour Egyptian tombs, decay ... Show More
45m 20s
Jul 2022
Savor Classics: Tomato Ketchup
This popular American condiment descended from fermented fish sauce and had a hand in creating the FDA. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dip into the non-Newtonian science and fancy history of ketchup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
47m 21s
Jun 2023
CLASSIC: Several Terrifying Things You Just Ate
Nowadays it seems like a few times a year we’ll hear about a food scandal -- contaminated meat, perhaps, or recalled yogurt. We’ll also inevitably hear something like “studies show coffee is good, or bad, for you.” When you add up all these complaints, studies and articles it bec ... Show More
53m 46s