Fun Facts

Fun fact! The bulb of the turnip provides a good source of vitamin C while the greens offer folate, calcium, and vitamin E.

Fun fact! Ninety percent of the cauliflower grown in the U.S. comes from California.

Fun fact! The term “gumbo” is derived from the West African word for okra: “ki ngombo.”

Fun fact! The smaller the turnip's bulb, the sweeter a turnip tastes.

Fun fact! The seeds in papaya are edible, and have a spicy, peppery flavor.

Fun fact! Sixty percent of peanuts grown in the U.S. are used for peanut butter production, with 15% of the crop being crushed for oil, producing cake and meal as byproducts.

Fun fact! There are images of artichokes on the walls of temples and tombs of pharaohs, demonstrating their significance to ancient Egyptians.

Fun fact! The earliest evidence of yerba maté usage was the remnants of carbonized yerba maté leaves in a pipe found in Catamarca in Northwestern Argentina alongside carbonized leaves of coca, lemon verbena, and tobacco that were dated to 650 BCE–500 CE. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Turkey is still the biggest global grower of hazelnuts, producing approximately 75% of the total world’s supply.

Fun fact! Parsley tea was drunk in the trenches by World War I soldiers as a treatment for dysentery.

Fun fact! The top four most consumed fresh vegetables are potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, and onions.

Fun fact! 92% of U.S. broccoli is grown in California. Arizona grows the second largest amount.

Fun fact! Flax fiber could potentially be a lighter, environmentally friendly alternative to fiberglass in cars.

Fun fact! Animal rations containing flax have been shown to increase fertility in hogs and immunity in steers.

Fun fact! Some celery varieties contain potent chemicals, including caustic secondary plant metabolites that function as a repellant to insects and herbivores to protect the plant. Click to read more.

Fun fact! In the U.S., organic wheat is the largest organic grain/seed crop with 451 million acres, followed by organic corn with 319,953 acres.

Fun fact! Farmers often plant proso millet as an emergency cash crop when other crops have failed or unable to be planted because of unfavorable conditions. Click here to learn more.

Fun fact! Maple sap is actually clear and slightly sweet with the consistency of spring water. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Ancient Greeks would use different scents of perfume for each part of their body. Click to read more!

Fun fact! There are two types of peaches: clingstone and freestone peaches. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Historically, the superstitious would carry around a sachet of anise as protection from the evil eye.

Fun fact ! In the Middle Ages, the English used thyme in food as an antimicrobial to prevent it from spoiling too fast.

Fun fact! There are two types of pears: European or French pears that include the Bartlett, Bosc and D’Anjou varieties, and Asian pears that include the Hosui and Nijisseiki varieties. Asian pears have a more apple-like texture.

Fun fact! It takes about ten years for mulberry trees to produce fruit from the seedling stage.

Fun fact! White agaricus mushrooms contain more protein than kidney beans.

Fun fact! Caraway was an ingredient in love potions because it was thought to keep lovers from proving fickle.

Fun fact! Cultivars of persimmon are classified as either astringent or non-astringent. Click to learn more!

Fun fact! Potatoes were first introduced to North America in 1691, and first planted in New Hampshire in 1719. Click to learn more.

Fun fact! Sugar plants in the U.S. and Brazil burn bagasse, a byproduct of sugar production, to produce electricity in their plants. Click to read more.

Fun fact! Flour made from yellow mustard is a very good emulsifying agent and stabilizer often used in sauces and prepared meats.