Surprising Food Facts You’ll Want to Know
Mar 30, 2022
Food, glorious food! We think about it, talk about it, shop for it, cook it, order it,
and hopefully, enjoy it. Between all of that, we wouldn‟t blame you if never stopped
to consider various food facts. But you should—not only are they fun, but they also
help you understand exactly what lands on your plate.
Welcome message from author
Food is one of the most diverse ecosystems. It covers an enormous range of fruits,
vegetables, herbs, seeds, dishes etc. While some of these items are too basic and are a
part of our regular meals, others have some mind-blowing qualities. That‟s the beauty
of food! From nourishment to medicinal necessities, it covers all.
No matter how well-versed you are with the understanding of food items, some
things continue to surprise you. These amusing facts about food above that will blow
up your mind!
Transcript
Slide 1Overview
Food, glorious food! We think about it, talk about it, shop for it, cook it, order it,
and hopefully, enjoy it. Between all of that, we wouldnt blame you if never stopped
to consider various food facts. But you should—not only are they fun, but they also
help you understand exactly what lands on your plate.
Cilantro and
coriander are
the same thing
They're just two different names to describe the same plant. (There are also
coriander seeds— which come from the plant too, and you can find them whole or
ground up into spices.)
Peaches and
nectarines are
basically the
same, too
They're almost genetically identical except for one thing: a gene that's either
dominant (peaches) or recessive (nectarines). That's what makes the skin either
smooth or fuzzy.
technically
berries
Its hard to miss the huge yellow heap of bananas in the produce section at a typical
grocery store. Grocers are definitely giving the people what they want because
according to the USDA, bananas top the list of most popular fresh fruit in America.
While that may not be a surprising food fact, what may be is that bananas are classified
as a berry because they come from a single seed. With consumption at 13.4 pounds
per person in America, bananas clearly have plenty of a-peel.
Watermelons
China
A slice of cold, sweet watermelon is one of summers greatest pleasures—all the
water in the melons pretty pink flesh is a sweet and juicy way to stay hydrated. Turns
out, Americans arent the only ones who appreciate a watermelon. There are more
than 1,200 varieties are grown across 96 countries worldwide, and, in terms of
production, the United States currently ranks 7th, while China is at the top. Maybe
that has something to do with why watermelons are a popular hostess gift in China.
McDonald’s
fast-food chain
For decades, Americans have turned to fast food when theyre hungry and on the go.
While some people think McDonalds ignited the category in the 1950s, in fact, the
first fast-food burger chain was White Castle, founded in Kansas in 1921
This is
how quinoa
grows
The part of the quinoa plant that we eat is the seed. But to get the seed, the plant
first needs to flower.
recipe
The brand reworked the chocolate mixture, among other things. (But worth noting:
some people *really* hated the new version.)
Only a fifth of
Americans takes
their morning
coffee black
Just 20% like their coffee black, and another fifth of Americans (19 percent) dont
drink coffee at all. The remaining 60 percent of coffee drinkers like their cuppa
somewhere along the tan spectrum: “with milk, very light tan” covers 39 percent of
respondents, “with light milk, brown” is another 10 percent, and 11 percent in the
“with a lot of milk, almost white” club. This particular survey only asked about
milk—sugar is another matter and iced coffee was not a choice.
Oranges get all
the glory for
Vitamin C punch,
but this green
veggie has four
times as much
About a cup-size serving of Brussels sprouts delivers four times more vitamin C than
an orange.The US produces 70 million pounds per year of the nutrient-packed little
cabbages that range from marble to golf-ball sized. A little under an ounce (for
reference, 3.5 ounces is about a cup) provides 5 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and
38 calories. And yes, they are named after Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where they
were a popular 16th-century crop.
Glass
exists
Oklahoma farmer Carl Barnes spent years breeding the colorful corn as a way to
reconnect with his heritage.
spice
Although it smells like nutmeg and cinnamon, Allspice is actually a fruit that's
picked, dried, and sold either as whole "berries" or ground up into its own spice.
Boston may—or
may not—be
pie
Was Boston cream pie really invented in Beantown? Folks fascinated with food facts
have debated the answer to this question for decades and the answer is a
resounding…maybe? Bostons Parker House Hotel often gets anecdotal credit but
there doesnt seem to be solid proof anywhere. There is also no explanation for why
it was called a pie when it has no crust and is clearly a cake.
Though Italy
Greece
Layers upon layers of noodles and cheese are the stuff of dreams and a Sunday staple
in many Italian homes. Centuries ago, lasagna was named for the fermented
noodle laganon, which was popular in Ancient Greece where lasagna originated. Yes,
Greece, not Italy. Lasagna made its way to Italy by way of Roman conquerors. Italians
then brought the recipe to North America in the 1800s when they immigrated.
When runners
want a
should grab a
handful of these
Store aisles are packed with sports chews that promise to enhance athletic
performance, but theres a simple, cost-effective, whole food alternative. Raisins are
a gift from Mother Nature to runners, thanks to their carbohydrate and glucose
content, which are both sources of quick energy. Noshing raisins along with drinking
water improved running performance similarly to downing commercial chews.
Blue-green
Though rumors fly around that eggshell color indicates nutritional variances, thats
not true at all. Shell color is simply indicative of the breed of hen that laid the egg.
Assorted white and brown shells are laid by dozens of different breeds of hens:
Brown speckled shells are laid by Maran, Speckledy, and Wellsummer hens while
gorgeous blue-green eggs are laid by Araucana, Rumpless Araucana, and Cream
Legbar hens.
yolk inside
No matter what any given eggs fate will be—fried, scrambled, hard-cooked, mixed
into batter—it starts in the hens ovary with the formation of an ovum. Once the
ovum reaches full size it breaks free and moves down the oviduct, where the white
and shell form around it. This start-to-finish process usually takes 24 to 26
hours. But if something goes amiss, occasionally two yolks move down the oviduct
together and are both enclosed in a single shell.
Ice cream is one
world
Numerous early rulers—hello Alexander the Great and Nero Claudius Caesar—
supposedly enjoyed snow flavored with honey or fruit juices. Fast forward 1,000
years and the intrepid Marco Polo returned to the Middle East with a sherbet-type
recipe that historians say morphed into ice cream sometime in the 16th century.
Purveyors of Ben & Jerrys ice cream say vanilla is the favorite flavor in the US, as
well as Germany, Italy, and Brazil.
New York
sandwiches
The USDA agrees with New York state (specifically the department of taxation and
finance) in its sandwich determination. But the president of the National Hot Dog
and Sausage Council—a trade group which refers to itself as “the official voice of hot
dogs and sausages”—likens calling a hot dog a sandwich to calling the Dalai Lama
„just a guy.
Boba tea is
around 40
years old
Cheerful-sounding bubble tea—also referred to as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or
just boba—is tea mixed with milk or fruit and topped up with tapioca pearls.
According to the tea gurus at King Fu Tea, a franchise chain with over 250 locations
around the U.S., boba was invented in Taiwan during the decade of big hair, neon leg
warmers, and a dozen John Hughes movies: The 80s. By the early 90s, boba made its
way to North America.
Jam is made
with fruit — and
jelly is made
with fruit juice
Jam is made with fruit, sugar, and often pectin (a thickener). Jelly is made with fruit
juice, sugar, and pectin. Another way to remember the difference? Jam is chunky
(it'll have mashed fruit); jelly is smooth.
European chocolate
generally tastes
solids
In Europe, chocolate is required to have a minimum of at least 14% dry milk solids.
In the U.S., the minimum is 12%. European chocolate is also slightly richer because
it's required to have at least 3.5% milk fat. In the US, the minimum is 3.39%.
Mahogany
cake
Dating back to the 1800s, it's America's first chocolate cake on record. Early
versions used ermine frosting, a whipped buttercream that was the icing of choice
in the US before cream cheese frosting came along.
Eggplant is
always perfect
debate
People into food facts have long gone back and forth about whether a tomato is a
fruit or a vegetable. Classifying eggplant is just as hotly debated. Unbeknownst to
many, eggplants are technically classified as fruits—specifically berries—because
they grow from a single flower. (So by that standard, cucumbers and melons are
berries, too.) But confusion is understandable, especially since chefs tend to roast,
fry, grill, and mash eggplant—like they do other vegetables.
Rice and vinegar
make all the
between sushi
and sashimi
Sushi always includes short-grain rice mixed with rice wine vinegar, often—but not
always—with fish, served in bite-sized portions. Sashimi refers to thinly-sliced
ribbons of fish or meats, without rice. Salmon, squid, and fatty tuna are among
popular kinds of sashimi. Sushi newbies who arent sure about the raw fish piece
might want to start by trying options with vegetables, egg, or avocado.
According to
science, the
fruit bowl
There are legal definitions of fruits and vegetables, as well as scientific ones.
A tomato fits the scientific definition of fruit because it forms from a flower and
contains seeds. So botanically, tomatoes are fruit. However, the way we eat them
and treat them in cooking means that they also fall into the legal category of
vegetables.
Conclusion
Food is one of the most diverse ecosystems. It covers an enormous range of fruits,
vegetables, herbs, seeds, dishes etc. While some of these items are too basic and are a
part of our regular meals, others have some mind-blowing qualities. Thats the beauty
of food! From nourishment to medicinal necessities, it covers all.
No matter how well-versed you are with the understanding of food items, some
things continue to surprise you. These amusing facts about food above that will blow
up your mind!
Food, glorious food! We think about it, talk about it, shop for it, cook it, order it,
and hopefully, enjoy it. Between all of that, we wouldnt blame you if never stopped
to consider various food facts. But you should—not only are they fun, but they also
help you understand exactly what lands on your plate.
Cilantro and
coriander are
the same thing
They're just two different names to describe the same plant. (There are also
coriander seeds— which come from the plant too, and you can find them whole or
ground up into spices.)
Peaches and
nectarines are
basically the
same, too
They're almost genetically identical except for one thing: a gene that's either
dominant (peaches) or recessive (nectarines). That's what makes the skin either
smooth or fuzzy.
technically
berries
Its hard to miss the huge yellow heap of bananas in the produce section at a typical
grocery store. Grocers are definitely giving the people what they want because
according to the USDA, bananas top the list of most popular fresh fruit in America.
While that may not be a surprising food fact, what may be is that bananas are classified
as a berry because they come from a single seed. With consumption at 13.4 pounds
per person in America, bananas clearly have plenty of a-peel.
Watermelons
China
A slice of cold, sweet watermelon is one of summers greatest pleasures—all the
water in the melons pretty pink flesh is a sweet and juicy way to stay hydrated. Turns
out, Americans arent the only ones who appreciate a watermelon. There are more
than 1,200 varieties are grown across 96 countries worldwide, and, in terms of
production, the United States currently ranks 7th, while China is at the top. Maybe
that has something to do with why watermelons are a popular hostess gift in China.
McDonald’s
fast-food chain
For decades, Americans have turned to fast food when theyre hungry and on the go.
While some people think McDonalds ignited the category in the 1950s, in fact, the
first fast-food burger chain was White Castle, founded in Kansas in 1921
This is
how quinoa
grows
The part of the quinoa plant that we eat is the seed. But to get the seed, the plant
first needs to flower.
recipe
The brand reworked the chocolate mixture, among other things. (But worth noting:
some people *really* hated the new version.)
Only a fifth of
Americans takes
their morning
coffee black
Just 20% like their coffee black, and another fifth of Americans (19 percent) dont
drink coffee at all. The remaining 60 percent of coffee drinkers like their cuppa
somewhere along the tan spectrum: “with milk, very light tan” covers 39 percent of
respondents, “with light milk, brown” is another 10 percent, and 11 percent in the
“with a lot of milk, almost white” club. This particular survey only asked about
milk—sugar is another matter and iced coffee was not a choice.
Oranges get all
the glory for
Vitamin C punch,
but this green
veggie has four
times as much
About a cup-size serving of Brussels sprouts delivers four times more vitamin C than
an orange.The US produces 70 million pounds per year of the nutrient-packed little
cabbages that range from marble to golf-ball sized. A little under an ounce (for
reference, 3.5 ounces is about a cup) provides 5 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and
38 calories. And yes, they are named after Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where they
were a popular 16th-century crop.
Glass
exists
Oklahoma farmer Carl Barnes spent years breeding the colorful corn as a way to
reconnect with his heritage.
spice
Although it smells like nutmeg and cinnamon, Allspice is actually a fruit that's
picked, dried, and sold either as whole "berries" or ground up into its own spice.
Boston may—or
may not—be
pie
Was Boston cream pie really invented in Beantown? Folks fascinated with food facts
have debated the answer to this question for decades and the answer is a
resounding…maybe? Bostons Parker House Hotel often gets anecdotal credit but
there doesnt seem to be solid proof anywhere. There is also no explanation for why
it was called a pie when it has no crust and is clearly a cake.
Though Italy
Greece
Layers upon layers of noodles and cheese are the stuff of dreams and a Sunday staple
in many Italian homes. Centuries ago, lasagna was named for the fermented
noodle laganon, which was popular in Ancient Greece where lasagna originated. Yes,
Greece, not Italy. Lasagna made its way to Italy by way of Roman conquerors. Italians
then brought the recipe to North America in the 1800s when they immigrated.
When runners
want a
should grab a
handful of these
Store aisles are packed with sports chews that promise to enhance athletic
performance, but theres a simple, cost-effective, whole food alternative. Raisins are
a gift from Mother Nature to runners, thanks to their carbohydrate and glucose
content, which are both sources of quick energy. Noshing raisins along with drinking
water improved running performance similarly to downing commercial chews.
Blue-green
Though rumors fly around that eggshell color indicates nutritional variances, thats
not true at all. Shell color is simply indicative of the breed of hen that laid the egg.
Assorted white and brown shells are laid by dozens of different breeds of hens:
Brown speckled shells are laid by Maran, Speckledy, and Wellsummer hens while
gorgeous blue-green eggs are laid by Araucana, Rumpless Araucana, and Cream
Legbar hens.
yolk inside
No matter what any given eggs fate will be—fried, scrambled, hard-cooked, mixed
into batter—it starts in the hens ovary with the formation of an ovum. Once the
ovum reaches full size it breaks free and moves down the oviduct, where the white
and shell form around it. This start-to-finish process usually takes 24 to 26
hours. But if something goes amiss, occasionally two yolks move down the oviduct
together and are both enclosed in a single shell.
Ice cream is one
world
Numerous early rulers—hello Alexander the Great and Nero Claudius Caesar—
supposedly enjoyed snow flavored with honey or fruit juices. Fast forward 1,000
years and the intrepid Marco Polo returned to the Middle East with a sherbet-type
recipe that historians say morphed into ice cream sometime in the 16th century.
Purveyors of Ben & Jerrys ice cream say vanilla is the favorite flavor in the US, as
well as Germany, Italy, and Brazil.
New York
sandwiches
The USDA agrees with New York state (specifically the department of taxation and
finance) in its sandwich determination. But the president of the National Hot Dog
and Sausage Council—a trade group which refers to itself as “the official voice of hot
dogs and sausages”—likens calling a hot dog a sandwich to calling the Dalai Lama
„just a guy.
Boba tea is
around 40
years old
Cheerful-sounding bubble tea—also referred to as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or
just boba—is tea mixed with milk or fruit and topped up with tapioca pearls.
According to the tea gurus at King Fu Tea, a franchise chain with over 250 locations
around the U.S., boba was invented in Taiwan during the decade of big hair, neon leg
warmers, and a dozen John Hughes movies: The 80s. By the early 90s, boba made its
way to North America.
Jam is made
with fruit — and
jelly is made
with fruit juice
Jam is made with fruit, sugar, and often pectin (a thickener). Jelly is made with fruit
juice, sugar, and pectin. Another way to remember the difference? Jam is chunky
(it'll have mashed fruit); jelly is smooth.
European chocolate
generally tastes
solids
In Europe, chocolate is required to have a minimum of at least 14% dry milk solids.
In the U.S., the minimum is 12%. European chocolate is also slightly richer because
it's required to have at least 3.5% milk fat. In the US, the minimum is 3.39%.
Mahogany
cake
Dating back to the 1800s, it's America's first chocolate cake on record. Early
versions used ermine frosting, a whipped buttercream that was the icing of choice
in the US before cream cheese frosting came along.
Eggplant is
always perfect
debate
People into food facts have long gone back and forth about whether a tomato is a
fruit or a vegetable. Classifying eggplant is just as hotly debated. Unbeknownst to
many, eggplants are technically classified as fruits—specifically berries—because
they grow from a single flower. (So by that standard, cucumbers and melons are
berries, too.) But confusion is understandable, especially since chefs tend to roast,
fry, grill, and mash eggplant—like they do other vegetables.
Rice and vinegar
make all the
between sushi
and sashimi
Sushi always includes short-grain rice mixed with rice wine vinegar, often—but not
always—with fish, served in bite-sized portions. Sashimi refers to thinly-sliced
ribbons of fish or meats, without rice. Salmon, squid, and fatty tuna are among
popular kinds of sashimi. Sushi newbies who arent sure about the raw fish piece
might want to start by trying options with vegetables, egg, or avocado.
According to
science, the
fruit bowl
There are legal definitions of fruits and vegetables, as well as scientific ones.
A tomato fits the scientific definition of fruit because it forms from a flower and
contains seeds. So botanically, tomatoes are fruit. However, the way we eat them
and treat them in cooking means that they also fall into the legal category of
vegetables.
Conclusion
Food is one of the most diverse ecosystems. It covers an enormous range of fruits,
vegetables, herbs, seeds, dishes etc. While some of these items are too basic and are a
part of our regular meals, others have some mind-blowing qualities. Thats the beauty
of food! From nourishment to medicinal necessities, it covers all.
No matter how well-versed you are with the understanding of food items, some
things continue to surprise you. These amusing facts about food above that will blow
up your mind!
Related Documents
