Magazine F #4, Tomato
Magazine F is a food documentary magazine cocreated by B and Baemin, a Korean food delivery unicorn startup. Each issue introduces one ingredient that has had a significant impact on the table around the world, with particular focus on how everyday ingredients are produced, how they are used from region to region, what the economic impact is, and how chefs handle each ingredient. In short, F encompasses the past, the present, and the future of food culture.
This issue is all about tomato: Originating from South America, tomatoes are one of the most produced vegetables in the world along with onions, cucumbers, and cabbages. There are over 25,000 species of tomatoes distributed throughout the globe, and they can be used in as many dishes in varied ways as there are varieties. With their unique savory flavor, tomatoes created distinctive food cultures across many regions, particularly in Spain and Italy. They also serve as the origin, essence, and symbol of Mediterranean cooking as they play a critical role in pizza, pasta, and gazpacho. On the other hand, they are widely used in mass-produced processed foods like ketchup and have become an important popular food with a potential to lead food culture into the future.
Seoul, South Korea; 170mm x 240mm; 148 pages