One very interesting fact about the tomato is its recent adoption into Chinese
cuisine, something quite unexpected for those of us who eat tomato-less Chinese
food outside of China. The Chinese have known about the tomato for centuries
(they call it the "foreign eggplant") and it never really became important.

However, for the past few years, the PRC has been the largest producer of
tomatoes in the world (surpassing the US which has been the largest producer
for years). Evidently, tomatoes are mainly eaten fresh like an apple-- just
bite into them and add a little salt. Actually, this is a good way to eat
tomatoes, provided...

Andy Smith