ASmith1946 > wrote:

> 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"

> 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

--
lilian