In New Jersey, the tomato is king. Almost a century ago, a scientist at Rutgers University developed a variety that became the tomato that lined grocery store shelves for decades. Now, Rutgers scientists are at it again — they’ve invented a new grape tomato called Scarlet Sunrise. Will it become the next hot item in the produce aisle? How do you even invent a new tomato? And why are new varieties of fruits and veggies becoming more popular than ever? We team up with Kenny Malone from Planet Money to find out, and to see if this hot new tomato can win over a longtime grape tomato skeptic. 

From Planet Money, this episode was produced by James Sneed, edited by Keith Romer, fact checked by Sierra Juarez, and engineered by Cena Loffredo and Jimmy Keely. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell.

Interstitial music in this episode by Black Label Music:

• "Sun So Sunny" by Calvin Dashielle
• "Desplat" by Paul Fonfara
• "Private Detective" by Cullen Fitzpatrick
• "Twenty 99" by Erick Anderson
• "Lucky Strike" by Erick Anderson
• "Limon Coke" by Kenneth J. Brahmstedt
• "Dilly Dally" by Hayley Briasco

Photo courtesy of Dan Pashman. 

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