Santorini tomato facts for kids
The Santorini tomato (called 'tomataki Santorinis' in Greek) is a special kind of cherry tomato. It grows on the island of Santorini in Greece. These tomatoes are a deep red color and have firm flesh, but they aren't very juicy. They have lots of seeds and are known for being sweet and a bit tangy.
Santorini tomatoes are round, but a little flat, and usually weigh between 15 and 27 grams. They often have noticeable ridges, especially the ones that grow lower on the plant. These tomatoes usually take about 80 to 90 days to ripen.
How They Grow
Santorini is a volcanic island, and its unique soil and weather are what make the Santorini tomato so special. The island doesn't get much rain, less than 370 millimeters a year! So, the tomato plants mostly rely on dew and the high humidity (about 71% all year round) to get their water.
The soil on Santorini doesn't have nitrogen, so the tomatoes often grow without any extra fertilizer. But the soil does have sodium, which is a substance that can absorb moisture from the air and trap it. This lack of water and the limey, alkaline soil are big reasons why this specific type of tomato developed on the island.
History of the Santorini Tomato
Many people believe that the first cherry tomatoes were brought to Greece in 1818 by a monk from a monastery in Ano Syros. The Santorini tomato variety started to be grown regularly around 1875.
By the early 1900s, farmers on Santorini were harvesting tomatoes from a huge area – about 20,000 acres! However, tomato farming has become less common since then because of changes in the environment, political situations, and the rise of tourism on the island.
The Santorini tomato received a special official status on June 13, 2013. This means it's now a "protected designation of origin," which helps make sure it's recognized as a unique product from Santorini.
See also
In Spanish: Tomate de Santorini para niños
