Botanically speaking, tomatoes are a fruit. In 1893, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that this juicy jewel of nature should be classified as a vegetable. It was a decision that has made our lives a whole lot better.

You think we’re just cooking up a story? We’re not. Check the records, Nix v. Hedden, 149 U.S. 304 (1893), an properly documented decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that, under U.S. customs regulations, the tomato should be a vegetable rather than a fruit.

You think, why and so what? Well, the tomato was taken to court because different tax rates applied to fruit and vegetables. We’ll spare you the details.

As a fruit, tomatoes probably wouldn’t have survived. As a vegetable, they have become one of the most popular and versatile ingredients in modern cuisine. Strangely enough, it was not until around 1750 scientists in Italy and France discovered tomatoes were even edible. Prior to that, they were considered to be a poisonous plant.

The very first tomatoes known to man, cultivated in the Andes Mountains in Peru, were small fruits. Thanks to modern breeding techniques they gradually grew in size to become sturdy and robust health-bringers. Although historians believe their distinct flavor has flattened over time due to industrialization of agricultural cultivation, we must say we are pretty happy with how they turned out.

“With countless varieties and a range of delicious flavor profiles, there’s no question that tomatoes are the perfect addition to just about any dish,” according to Naturefresh.ca. We couldn’t agree more. Fresh or canned, hot or cold, in a salad or a sauce, in a soup or in a juice: their flavor is always spot on. We can enjoy tomatoes in their most diverse shapes and forms. Heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes, Rose de Bern tomatoes, Absinthe tomatoes, Tigerette tomatoes, Evergreen tomatoes, Saint Pierre tomatoes, … The list is endless.

Tomatoes contain tons of vitamins A, B and C, as well as minerals like potassium, lime, phosphorus and magnesium. British and German scientists claim their lycophene dosage protects us from cancer and heart problems. British University of Newcastle professor Mark Birch-Machin argues tomatoes even function as a remedy against wrinkles and sunburn.

Tomatoes are 94 percent water. If you are stuffing them with minced meat, a classic and popular European recipe, be sure to sprinkle them with salt first. Salt will extract most of the moisture, so the dish does not end up to be watery. If you want to impress your diners, tell them you have embossed your tomatoes, removing their skin after immersing them in boiling water for 12 to 15 seconds.

Enjoy!