Part 11/13:
Today, China leads global tomato production, followed by countries like India and the United States. The tomato remains a dietary staple worldwide, celebrated in numerous festivals—such as Spain’s La Tomatina, where participants throw tons of ripe tomatoes at each other in a lively spectacle.
However, modern breeding has focused heavily on traits like size, appearance, and durability, sometimes at the expense of flavor. Many store-bought tomatoes today are less flavorful than heirloom varieties, leading to concerns among growers and consumers. Efforts are ongoing to reintroduce heirloom qualities and improve taste through selective breeding and genetic research.