Lentil history
Fun fact! Archaeological evidence indicates that lentils have been cultivated as far back as 8,000-10,000 years ago in Southwest Asia.
Cantaloupe ripeness
Fun fact! Cantaloupe does not ripen off the vine unlike other fruits.
Introducing coffee to 17th century Europeans
Fun fact! When coffee gained popularity in Europe during the 17th century, it replaced beer and wine as the preferred morning beverage.
Plant-based power: hemp seeds are high in protein and other nutrients
Hemp seeds are high in protein and are a good source of Vitamin E, several minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Dragon fruit flowers
The flowers of the dragon fruit plant (Hylocereus undatus), a climbing cactus native to Mexico and Central America, bloom at night, pollinated by moths and bats.
Shallot vs onion nutrition
Fun fact! Shallots have more calories than onion but are richer in fiber, vitamin B6, manganese, copper, folate, and vitamin C.
Vitamin C in bell peppers
Fun fact! Bell peppers have a higher vitamin C content than citrus fruits. A 100 gram serving of a red bell pepper, for example, will offer more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C with 127 mg of vitamin C.
Napolean helped kick off beet sugar production
Napolean encouraged the European cultivation of sugar beets as a way to combat a British blockage on imported sugar from the West Indies. Click to read more!
Potato salad origins
Fun fact! Potato salad was first introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers returning from the New World in the 16th century. Click to read more!
Unlikely berries
Fun fact! Botany defines berries as fruit stemming from one flower with one ovary, making tomatoes, pomegranates, kiwis, and bananas berries but not strawberries or raspberries.
Hydrating foods
Fun fact! Besides drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated during heat waves, you can also eat food with water content higher than 80%. Click to learn what fruits and vegetables offer the best hydration.
What is skyr?
Fun fact! Icelandic yogurt, called Skyr, is made with skim milk rather than whole milk like Greek yogurt. Click to read more!
Star anise
Fun fact! Each point on the star anise pod is a carpel containing a single seed. Click to learn more!
Mexican vs Italian Oregano
Fun fact! Mexican and Italian oregano are not related at all. Click to read more!
Pistachio pyrotechnics
Fun fact! Pistachios and other oil-bearing nuts or seeds have the potential to spontaneously combust. Click to read more!
History behind the term 'Limey'
Fun fact! English sailors became known as “Limeys” because of the lime juice rations provided to them by the Royal Navy. Click to read more!
Sweet basil vs. Thai basil
Fun fact! Sweet basil has a sweeter, more peppery flavor, while Thai basil is bolder, with flavor reminiscent of licorice. Click to read more!
Honey shelf life
Fun fact! Honey can have an incredible shelf life due to its low moisture content and acidic pH. Click to learn more!
Tarragon tooth relief
Fun fact! Tarragon has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for toothaches. Click to read more.
Imitation maple flavor from fenugreek
Fun fact! Fenugreek seeds are used to make imitation maple syrup and flavoring.
Clover breath freshener
Fun fact! During the Han-dynasty in 200 BCE, envoys from Java held cloves in their mouths to perfume their breath during audiences with the emperor.
Aquaculture
Fun fact! About 46% of the world’s total fish supply comes from aquaculture, however, aquaculture accounts for more than 52% of total fishery products that are for human consumption.
Wine vs. Juice
Fun fact! 3.8 million tons of grapes go toward wine production while 115 thousand tons go toward juice production.
Sorghum origins
Fun fact! Sorghum originates from Northeastern Africa where it was first domesticated, but made its way to the Americas during the mid-18th century. Click to read more.
Nectarines in a peach tree
Fun fact! Nectarines will sometimes grow on a peach tree. Click to read more.
Sugarbeet value
Fun fact! The value of sugarbeet crops are not measured by the ton, but the sucrose percentage in the sugarbeets.
Guava leaves and hair loss
Fun fact! Guava leaves have been used in Thai folk medicine as a hair loss remedy, but recent research suggests that there may be some truth to this old practice.
Fresh market vs. processed tomatoes
Fun fact! Processed tomato consumption is higher than fresh consumption at 73 pounds per capita vs. 20 pounds per capita.
Drought tolerant dragon fruit
Fun fact! A drought tolerant fruit, dragon fruit is being grown in certain drought-prone areas in place of more traditional crops such as citrus and avocado.
Chocolate aphrodisiac
Fun fact! Chocolate has long been associated with love. Click to read more.