Celebrating The Jersey Tomato

In the 1970s, agricultural scientists focused on breeding tomatoes for easier transport. The goal: Bright red tomatoes in every supermarket in our great country. But the bad side of that was that tomatoes became tasteless and a bit underwhelming. But New jersey farmers and artisan tomato distributers have been making great strides in offering traditional Jersey tomatoes to the public. In order to promote the local treat, Rutgers University opened one of their tomato tastings to the public:


“The Great Tomato Tasting took place in a field on a brutally hot and humid August afternoon at the university’s Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton. Rabin and his team stood beside long rows of tomato-filled tables and faced their critics. Previously, only farmers and state staffers participated in tastings. This would be the first time home cooks, gardeners and chefs were invited to have a say. And it would be the first occasion in a long time to taste a crop bred for the pleasure of people, instead of for the profitability of farmers.”

Juicy Jersey tomato is ripe for a revival [Inquirer]

[Photo via Inquirer]

Celebrating The Jersey Tomato