>> The Chinese have known about the tomato for centuries
>> (they call it the "foreign eggplant") and it never really became important.
>
>are you sure about the rendering? To my knowledge, xirongshi means:
>"western red persimmon"

There are two Chinese words for "tomato." One is transliterated "xirongshi"
as you note. It tends to be used by northerners. The second and more common
word is transliterated as "fan qui," whose direct translation is "foreign
eggplant," although it is also sometimes translated as "western eggplant." It
tends to be used by southerners.

>
>> 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...
>>
>In the PRC they are also industrially processed and exported, often in
>bulk, and canned in third part countries
>
>--

I'd greatly appreciate the source for the above information. I looked for
Chinese export information through FAO, and did not locate much.

Andy Smith

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