Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: How tomatoes spawned a tang dynasty

As tomato prices fluctuate, see how it went from foreign food to culinary staple in less than a century

If you have been following the furore over the price of tomatoes, you will note that reporters and political analysts often refer to tomatoes as a basic staple of Indian cooking and the food of the common man.

While tomatoes turn up in dishes all over India, they are not a traditional ingredient in Indian cuisines. (Photos: Adobe Stock)

In India, the most popular pastas are made with tomato sauces. Pizza relies on tomato paste. Tomatoes didn’t show up in home recipes until well after Independence. (Adobe Stock)

Butter chicken and pastas in a red sauce are Indian favourites because we love the rich umami flavour in cooked tomatoes. (Adobe Stock)

Tomato purée is used heavily in the eating-out and takeaway sector. (Adobe Stock)

Burger King puts ketchup in its burgers. Others offer it as an essential add-on. All of it is made from tomato paste. (Adobe Stock)