It may seem surprising to some, but renowned gastronomes like Craig Claiborne termed certain varieties of food as ‘tasteless, hideous, and repulsive.’ Though it may shock you, tomatoes bore the brunt of James Beard’s critique when he referred to them as ‘an almost total gastronomic loss.’ Perhaps even more astoundingly, a six-foot fall did nothing to damage one of these tomatoes, as discovered by Thomas Whiteside of The New Yorker in 1977, thereby surpassing the resilience of automobile bumpers!
Intriguingly, the variety that faced this criticism is none other than the Florida field tomato. You might be wondering why mention these particular tomatoes? The Trump administration, in its far-seeing wisdom, has decided to encourage consumption of this very variety by introducing a 21 percent tariff on most Mexican tomatoes effective from July 14.
Viewed as an audacious move by some, the tariff stands quintessential to the vision of Trump’s administration. Bring back domestic growth by inducing a local surge in the demand for tomatoes. Most importantly, it protects consumers from the inflated costs of imported products, thereby serving a dual purpose.
Trump’s remarkable strategy isn’t limited to tomatoes. It stretches beyond, promoting a greater good by advocating for fewer imported goods, such as pencils and dolls. The motive behind this vision is clear – a revitalization of domestic manufacturing!
However, some argue for the quality of tomatoes, especially those grown in Florida’s lands. These opinions may have some legitimacy, but they overlook the broader picture – rebuilding America’s industry.
A visit to Lipman Family Farms, one of America’s largest tomato growers, provides more insight. Kent Shoemaker, its CEO, candidly shared that one ought not to expect the same deep red, vine-ripened tomatoes reminiscent of our grandparents’ gardens.
It’s a matter of choosing between charm and practicality. The logistics of transporting tomatoes thousands of miles, from Florida to Missouri in February, won’t allow for whimsy. Granny’s tomatoes might not survive the journey! As Shoemaker points out, trade-offs have to be made.
Florida tomato farmers are confronted with numerous challenges – disease, pests, transport, and the state’s warm, hurricane-prone climate. Consequently, they have to breed sturdier tomatoes. These varieties might not be sticklers for flavor but can handle the rigors of nature and travel.
Florida’s unique growing environment necessitates these adaptations. Some tomatoes are bred to fit snugly on fast-food patties, while others must retain their freshness for hours after slicing in Subway’s display counters. All these factors require careful breeding and choice of variety.
To keep tomatoes resilient and amicable to long-distance transport, sweetness isn’t maximized. High sugar content will invite unwelcome bacteria and fungi, reducing the tomato size, yield, and ultimately their shelf-life.
Furthermore, don’t be shocked when you see green and rock-hard tomatoes being harvested. These tomatoes turn pink after maturing in a round of ethylene gas for several days. This post-harvesting color change might seem odd, but it ensures the tomato’s survival during transport.
In the end, it all comes back to the question of what’s more important – convenience or tradition? In a time when reviving national industry is crucial, Trump’s administration chooses convenience while wishing to resurrect domestic agriculture.
Regardless of the criticism surrounding Florida’s tomatoes, one thing is certain – they are synonymous with resilience, just like America’s spirit. In these rigorous times, we must mirror this grit, bite into our home-grown tomatoes, and take one for Team America.