A tomato, in its wild form, is estimated to be around 80,000 years old.
The Age of the Tomato: A Deep Dive
Recent genetic research suggests that the ancestor of the modern tomato, a cherry-sized fruit, originated in Ecuador approximately 80,000 years ago. This predates any human cultivation or domestication. Humans in South America later cultivated these wild tomatoes, but the larger varieties we commonly consume today are a product of much more recent selective breeding.
Key Points:
- Wild Tomato Origin: Approximately 80,000 years ago in Ecuador.
- Human Domestication: Occurred later in South America, after the wild tomato's natural evolution.
- Modern Tomato Size: The large size of tomatoes we see today is a result of human cultivation and selective breeding, not a reflection of the wild tomato's age.
This means that while the species of tomato is very old, the specific cultivars we eat today are much younger. The age of 80,000 years refers to the time since the emergence of the wild tomato ancestor.
