Part 10/13:
In North America, especially post-independence, tomatoes initially remained a novelty. Some early American figures, including President Thomas Jefferson, cultivated tomatoes at their estates, helping to introduce the fruit to wider audiences. By the early 19th century, tomatoes gained popularity, particularly along the coasts and in French-influenced Louisiana.
The 19th-century advent of canning technology revolutionized tomato storage and distribution. Notably, Ohio's Reynoldsburg became recognized as a hub for commercial tomato breeding, producing dozens of varieties thanks to breeders like Alexander Livingston, who developed 17 different strains between 1870 and 1893. These innovations laid the groundwork for the modern, mass-produced tomato.