Pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas in Northern India, cultivated since ancient times throughout the entire Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The fruit was brought California by Spanish settlers in 1769, which is now the largest grower of pomegranates in the US.

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Fun fact! Pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas in Northern India, cultivated since ancient times throughout the entire Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The fruit was brought California by Spanish settlers in 1769, which is now the largest grower of pomegranates in the US.

Pomegranate

Sweet corn is the result of a naturally-occurring genetic mutation of field corn that caused the kernels to store more sugar than field corn.

Fun fact! Sweet corn is the result of a naturally-occurring genetic mutation of field corn that caused the kernels to store more sugar than field corn.

Sweet corn

Quinoa grains have a bitter saponin coating that deters birds and insects from eating them. Prior to consumption this coating must be removed through either polishing or washing. Polished quinoa grains are refined more similarly to white rice, and therefore contain half the fiber, lower protein, vitamin, and mineral levels compared to washed quinoa.

Fun Fact! Quinoa grains have a bitter saponin coating that deters birds and insects from eating them. Prior to consumption this coating must be removed through either polishing or washing. Polished quinoa grains are refined more similarly to white rice, and therefore contain half the fiber, lower protein, vitamin, and mineral levels compared to washed quinoa. 

Polished vs. washed quinoa

Photo © iStockphoto.com/billberryphotography

Cucumbers and melons belong to the cucurbit family of plants (AKA the gourd family), the same family of plants squash, pumpkin, and zucchini belong to.

Fun fact! Cucumbers and melons belong to the cucurbit family of plants (AKA the gourd family), the same family of plants squash, pumpkin, and zucchini belong to.

The gourd family

A native wildflower found along waterways in California and the Pacific Northwest and grown mainly in Oregon, meadowfoam has seeds that contain 20-30% oil. The oil extracted from these seeds is known for high oxidative stability (20 times more stable than soybean oil) and 98% long-chain fatty acid content. Due to its stability, lubricity, and ability to stay on the skin, meadowfoam oil is used widely in cosmetics and haircare applications.

Fun Fact! The oil extracted from the seeds of meadowfoam is known for high oxidative stability (20 times more stable than soybean oil) and 98% long-chain fatty acid content. Due to its stability, lubricity, and ability to stay on the skin, meadowfoam oil is used widely in cosmetics and haircare applications.

Meadowfoam oil

Celery is a natural fibrous tooth cleaner that contains compounds that act as surface cleansers, contributing to dental hygiene.

Fun fact! Celery is a natural fibrous tooth cleaner that contains compounds that act as surface cleansers, contributing to dental hygiene.

Pearly whites and celery

As a member of the nightshade family, the leaves of eggplants are narcotic and toxic to consume, but have been used traditionally to make a soothing poultice for the treatment of burns, abscesses, cold sore, and similar conditions.

Fun Fact! As a member of the nightshade family, the leaves of eggplants are narcotic and toxic to consume, but have been used traditionally to make a soothing poultice for the treatment of burns, abscesses, cold sore, and similar conditions.

Eggplant leaves

When mango trees are in bloom, it not uncommon for people to experience itching around the eyes, facial swelling, and respiratory difficulty despite the trees not releasing any airborne pollen. The likely culprit for the irritation is vaporized essential oil of the flowers which contain the sesquiterpene alcohol, mangiferol, and the ketone, mangiferone.

Fun fact! When mango trees are in bloom, it not uncommon for people to experience itching around the eyes, facial swelling, and respiratory difficulty despite the trees not releasing any airborne pollen. The likely culprit for the irritation is vaporized essential oil of the flowers which contain the sesquiterpene alcohol, mangiferol, and the ketone, mangiferone.

Mango irritation

In the 1800’s, gooseberries were very popular in both Europe and the United States. By the early 1900’s New York was growing nearly 2,700 acres of the fruit. During that same time, growing gooseberry and related currants was banned federally because of a fungal disease called white pine blister rust, which was deadly to all species of white pine. It was not until 1966 that the federal ban was lifted, instead shifting to individual jurisdictions.

Fun fact! In the early 1900's, growing gooseberry and related currants was banned federally because of a fungal disease called white pine blister rust, which was deadly to all species of white pine. It was not until 1966 that the federal ban was lifted, instead shifting to individual jurisdictions.

Gooseberry ban

Generally, mulberry orchards were grown not for their fruit but for their foliage, specifically to rear silkworms, which favor the mulberry tree. Currently, the top countries growing mulberry trees to rear silkworms are China, India, and Japan.

Fun fact! Generally, mulberry orchards were grown not for their fruit but for their foliage, specifically to rear silkworms, which favor the mulberry tree. Currently, the top countries growing mulberry trees to rear silkworms are China, India, and Japan.

Fun Facts