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Fun Facts

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Friday Fun Fact: Carrot

Carrot cookies were a popular Christmas gift among friends and relatives living in New England states during the 1700s.

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Friday Fun Fact: Goji Berry

In addition to potential benefits for heart health, skin health, and eye health, goji berries may contain up to 4 grams of protein per ounce.

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Dried prickly pear flowers are commonly sold in Tunisian markets, where they are used as a traditional remedy for kidney stones.

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Friday Fun Fact: Seaweed

A good source of iodine and potassium, giant kelp is also one of the fastest-growing organisms on the planet. It can grow by nearly two feet per day under ideal conditions.

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Friday Fun Fact: Garlic

Forget vampires: garlic can be an effective pesticide to ward off aphids, caterpillars, and other pesky insects.

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Friday Fun Fact: Fenugreek

Fenugreek contains the aromatic compound sotolon, which can cause perspiration and urine to smell like maple syrup after prolonged use.

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Friday Fun Fact: Valerian

During World War II, valerian was used in England to relieve stress caused by air raids.

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Fun Fact: Saffron

Saffron is the world's most expensive spice because each saffron flower is hand-picked to collect just three stigmas per flower.

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Fun Fact: Cherries

Tart cherries contain high levels of melatonin, a compound that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles.

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Fun Fact: Onions

Due to their rich flavor 
and nutrition, onions served as currency in the Middle Ages. Today, onions are a leading source of quercetin in the diet.

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Fun Fact: Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be a good source of dietary vitamin D, as long as they are exposed to sunlight or UV radiation.

Fun Fact: Quinoa

Quinoa species are not all the same size. One species, called kaniwa, has earned the nickname "baby quinoa" because it's about as small as a chia seed.

Fun Fact: Alfalfa

Much of the honey produced in the United States is sourced from alfalfa.

Fun Fact: Tryptophan

Turkey is rich in tryptophan, but so is soybean and a host of different fish.

Fun Fact: Prickly Pear

Despite its prickly defenses, prickly pear cactus is a nutritious plant. It contains nutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium.

Fun Fact: Turmeric

Turmeric and ginger are members of the same family, Zingiberaceae. This explains their similar knob-like appearances.

Fun Fact: Apple

Apples float in
 water because 
they are 25% air.

Contrary to its name, Jerusalem artichoke is actually a species of sunflower. It's also high in inulin.

Fun Fact: Hibiscus

Several species of hibiscus have red petals, but the species used for commercial hibiscus drinks has white petals. The red color comes from the flower's red sepals.