Tomatoes are originally from South America, specifically the Andean region that includes present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia. Wild species of tomatoes still grow in the Andes, and the fruit was first domesticated and cultivated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica, particularly in southern Mexico, by around 500 BC

. The tomato was introduced to Europe in the early 16th century by Spanish explorers during the Columbian exchange. Initially, tomatoes were grown mainly as ornamental plants and were even thought to be poisonous in parts of Europe due to their relation to the nightshade family. Over time, tomatoes became a staple food in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy, where they were incorporated into local cuisines by the 17th and 18th centuries

. In summary, tomatoes originated in the Andes of South America and were domesticated in Mesoamerica before spreading globally through European exploration in the 16th century