Tomatoes are native to western South America, particularly the Andean region including countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia, where wild tomato species still grow in the wild
. These wild ancestors of the modern tomato have adapted to the specific climate and conditions of this region. The domestication of tomatoes, however, took place further north in Mesoamerica, especially in what is now Mexico, where indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs began cultivating and selectively breeding tomatoes by around 500 BC
. From there, tomatoes spread through Central America and were introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. In summary:
- Native habitat of wild tomatoes: Andean region of South America (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia)
- Domestication and cultivation origin: Mesoamerica, particularly Mexico by indigenous peoples like the Aztecs
- Global spread: Introduced to Europe and beyond during the Columbian exchange in the 16th century
This native and domestication history explains the tomato’s genetic diversity and its importance as a crop worldwide today.
