The cherry tomato (Israeli cultivar)

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Who

Haim Rabinowitch and Nachum Kedar, Israeli plant scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

When

1970s

Where

Rehovot, Israel

Small tomatoes existed long before, but in the 1970s Hebrew University scientists Haim Rabinowitch and Nachum Kedar bred a commercial cherry-tomato variety that ripened slowly and stayed firm, allowing supermarket shipping without spoiling. Their long-shelf-life cultivar helped make cherry tomatoes a global staple. Both breeders were Israeli Jewish agronomists.

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.