File:G is for Grape Red Tomatoes in an old Green Glass Bowl.jpg

English: History of Red Grape Cherry Tomatoes [Grape tomatoes were developed in Southeast Asia in the late 20th century by the Known-You Seed Company in Taiwan. The small tomatoes were created from traditional cross-breeding techniques, and the first commercially successful hybrid cultivar was named Santa F1. Not long after the tomato’s release in Taiwan, Grape tomatoes were being grown in China, where they were favored for their small size, sweet flavor, and dense texture. In 1996, Grape tomato seeds were sent from Taiwan and were planted in the garden of farmer Andrew Chu in Florida. Chu recalled that his friend in Taiwan told him about the new tomatoes and that the small cultivar was quickly increasing in popularity across Asia. Grape tomatoes were not immediately successful in the United States and were initially purchased by a small number of consumers. In 1997, Chu began shipping the tomatoes up the East Coast to buyers and store managers, quickly attracting attention. By 2001, Grape tomatoes were outselling cherry tomatoes 10 to 1 in the United States and were being grown by several companies. Today Grape tomatoes are sold fresh through farmer’s markets, supermarkets, distributors, and specialty food stores. Seeds can also be purchased through online retailers for home garden cultivation. - Source: