In the sixteenth century, European explorers and conquistadors
first encountered fresh tomatoes in South America. Seeds were brought
back to the sunny regions of the Mediterranean, where they were
cultivated. The first tomatoes grown were yellow, and given the
name “pomodoro” or golden apple by the Italians. Some
years later, Jesuit priests returned from Mexico with red tomato
seeds, which quickly replaced the yellow as the tomato of choice.
These early tomatoes were appreciated for attributes other than
taste for many years, including as an aphrodisiac – reference
is made to them as “love apples”.
Sundried tomatoes are believed to have originated in southern
Italy. Italian peasants, without the means to sufficiently refrigerate
or can fresh tomatoes, dried tomato halves on their terra cotta
tiled roofs. They could then enjoy these “pomodori secchi”
or dried tomatoes throughout the winter until fresh tomatoes were
again available. Extensive trading throughout the Mediterranean
took these ideas to other areas including Turkey, which today is
the world’s leading producer of sundried tomatoes.
Description:
Sundried tomatoes are produced from Roma variety sound, fresh,
ripe tomatoes. The tomatoes are dried in the sun to develop their
full, rich flavor, characteristic of sundried tomatoes. They are
now recognized as a basic ingredient for a multitude of applications,
including baking, condiments, salads and salad dressings and preparation
of entrees and appetizers. Bedemco is the leading supplier of Turkish
commercial sundried tomatoes, and today offers a full range of product,
including both conventional and organic, and various moisture levels,
cuts and processed items.
A number of scientific studies have focused on an antioxidant
called lycopene, a carotenoid found primarily in tomatoes and tomato
products. This has raised interest in the tomato as a food with
potential anticancer properties. Lycopene is thought to neutralize
harmful free radicals that can damage cells and trigger cancer.
The benefits of tomato consumption were observed whether the diet
contained fresh or processed tomatoes. The cancer protection is
thought to be an interaction between lycopene and other phytochemicals
and nutrients present in abundance in tomatoes.
Harvest:
Tomatoes are harvested in Turkey in late summer. Fresh product
is hand picked from the fields, washed, cut in half and placed under
the hot sun for drying. Sundried tomatoes are available with or
without preservatives.
Types:
Ready to Eat (approx. 35% moisture) – Sulfured or Salted
Regular Moisture (approx. 18% moisture – Sulfured, Salted,
Natural & Organic
In Oil – with or without garlic and/or spices; packed in olive
oil or blended oils to customer specifications
Paste
Sizes:
Halves
Julienne Strips
Diced – to customer specifications
In Oil & Paste – to customer specifications
Packing:
Bulk and retail packaging available
Bulk Packing – 5 pound vacuum bags / 4 per carton = 20 pounds
net per case
Retail packaging to customer specifications
In Oil & Paste – assorted bulk and retail jar sizes available
Origin: