As many gardeners know, tomato plants are part of the nightshade family. The leaves and stems of tomato plants are poisonous, but ripe fruit can be safely consumed. But what about unripe fruit? Are green tomatoes poisonous?
Whether cooking with green tomatoes or eating them raw, they’re safe to consume.
Is it Safe to Eat Green Tomatoes?
Have you ever seen the movie Fried Green Tomatoes or had Southern cuisine of the same name, then seen claims on the internet that unripe tomatoes are poisonous? This might lead gardeners to believe this dish is made with green varieties of tomatoes. Yet, this dish and many others are made with unripe tomatoes. So, are unripe tomatoes poisonous or are they safe to consume?
The answer lies in the quantity. As a defense mechanism, green tomatoes contain alkaloid compounds, such as solanine, atropine and tomatine. These compounds are at a higher concentration in green fruit than ripe ones. Along with a bitter taste, this discourages the fruit from being consumed before the seeds are fully mature and viable.
In small quantities, green tomatoes are safe to eat. Adult humans would need to consume 1.4 pounds (625 grams) of green tomatoes for these toxins to reach a lethal level. However, lesser amounts can cause digestive upset. While the tartness of unripe tomatoes is what gives fried green tomatoes their distinctive flavor, its best to eat them in limited amounts.
The History of Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of most popular plants to grow in the home garden. Native to the Americas, the fruit of this member of the nightshade family was consumed by the Aztecs as far back as 700 AD. Yet when tomatoes were introduced to the old world, many Europeans feared the fruit was poisonous.
Today, we know tomatoes are not only safe to eat, but nutritious as well. Although most people think of tomatoes as red, this fruit can ripen to a variety of colors depending upon the variety. Some varieties, like Green Zebras and Green Moldavians, are green when fully ripe.
If you grow these varieties in your garden, you can distinguish them from unripe tomatoes by their color and firmness. Green varieties of tomatoes often have darker green vertical stripes or markings when fully ripe. Unripe tomatoes are generally pale green all over. Ripe tomatoes of any color will feel soft when pressed, while unripe ones are firm.
Green Doctors Cherry Tomato Will Change Your Mind About Green Tomatoes!
FAQ
Are green cherry tomatoes safe to eat?
What do green cherry tomatoes taste like?
Can I pick green cherry tomatoes and let them ripen?
Is it okay if the inside of a cherry tomato is green?
Are green tomatoes edible?
Therefore, most tomatoes that start growing in the fall stay small and green. Don’t throw them out, though. The good news is that green tomatoes are still edible, delicious, and good for so many things! Here are our three favorites.
Are there any problems with eating lots of cherry tomatoes?
Excessive consumption of cherry tomatoes can cause or worsen gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and negative digestive side effects. In addition, cherry tomatoes may contain a substance called solanine. This is an extremely toxic component if consumed in large quantities.
Can you eat green cherry tomatoes raw?
Yes! Green Cherry Tomatoes can be eaten raw. In fact, they make a great addition to any salad because of their tart flavor and crunchy texture. You can chop them up into small pieces or slice them thin and add it on top of your salad greens along with some other veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers.
What are green cherry tomatoes?
Green cherry tomatoes are small, unripe tomatoes that belong to the same family as red and yellow cherry tomatoes. They are firm and slightly tangy in taste, with a crisp texture that makes them perfect for use in salads, salsas, pickles or sauces.