April 01, 2026
Chinese scientists have created a new variety of tomatoes with a unique aroma that aims to maintain the tomatoes’ flavour during post-harvest logistics activities. With the help of a special technology called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9, scientists were able to create tomatoes with an aroma similar to buttered popcorn. This involved increasing the level of a compound that gives tomatoes a sweet aroma by altering two genes. Unlike most tomato varieties that experience a reduction in aroma and flavour during storage and handling, the new variety will maintain its aroma while also preserving other characteristics.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tomatoes are available in a variety of colours, including white, pink, yellow and purple.
Image for representational purposes
