Tomato sauce was created due to the need of preserving excess crop back when there were no refrigerators. The tomatoes were being boiled and with the addition of olive oil as a natural preservative, they could be preserved for a longer period of time. Today, it is scientifically proven that lycopene -one of the antioxidants contained in tomato - can be found in a much higher concentration when the tomato is cooked. Tomato came to Greece during the 19th century and quickly became a synonymous to the mediterranean diet.