Fun Facts

Fun fact! Parsnips become sweeter after the first winter frost. Click to read more.

Fun fact! Spelt is a popular crop for organic farmers because it does not require as much fertilizer as other types of wheat.

Fun fact! Star fruit is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, phosphorous, and potassium.

Fun Fact! Wild rice is not true rice, but is in fact a seed of an aquatic grass that grows in North American wetlands. Click to read more.

Fun fact! Because sourdough bread is the product of natural fermentation, it slows down starch digestion, which leads to a lower glycemic response. Click to read more.

Fun fact! The word edamame is an Americanization of the Japanese term for green soybeans that translates to “beans on branches.”

Fun fact! The U.S. produces 20 billion pounds of rice annually.

Fun Fact! Arriving in North America in the 18th century, the drink called switchel contains polyphenols and can potentially support cardiovascular and digestive health.

Fun Fact! Garlic scapes are a long, green, curled shoot that grows from the base of the hardneck garlic plant. Click to learn more.

Fun fact! Citral, the main constituent of lemongrass, is what gives the plant its lemony smell, but citral is also a powerful cleansing antiseptic distilled from the stems of lemongrass to use in soaps, perfume, and cleaning agents.

Fun fact! The white inner part of the lemon peel, called the mesocarp or albedo, is a chief source of commercial grades of pectin.

Fun fact! Pears are a good source of fiber, providing about 5.5-6 grams of fiber per serving (one medium-sized pear).

Fun fact! Matcha is a type of green tea that is grown in the shade, which has the effect of boosting phytochemicals and antioxidants.

Fun fact! Cherries are very high in antioxidants, containing 4873 ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) per cup.

Fun fact! There are 19 polyphenolic compounds in Maqui, eight of which have been identified as anthocyanins, ten as flavanols, and ellagic acid. These are powerful antioxidants.

Fun fact! Truffles and tree roots have a symbiotic relationship, called mycorrhizae. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Cherimoya is a tropical fruit also known as custard apple whose creamy fruit is said to be reminiscent of pineapple and pear. Click to read more!

Fun fact! The fruit of the carambola tree, also known as star fruit, is used in traditional medicine in Southeast and South Asian countries. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Shishito peppers are known to mild peppers, but on occasion they can be spicy. Click to read more.

Fun fact! Chaga is a black parasitic fungus that grows in the trunk of the birch tree. Click to learn more!

Fun fact! In terms of flavor, galangal – a mainstay of Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai cuisine – has a citrusy flavor with a bite, and notes of pine, while ginger has more of a spicy and peppery flavor. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Most commercially sold green onions are the immature plant of the common onion.

Allspice, a common seasoning used in baking, comes from the berries of a tropical evergreen tree of the myrtle family that is native to the West Indies and Central America. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, is a rich source of phosphorous, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin B6. Click to read more!

Fun fact! Tea made from guava leaves is a traditional remedy that may offer relief for gastrointestinal distress. Click to read more!

Fun fact! The unique taste and smell of wasabi is the result of the formation of volatile compounds called isothiocyanates. Click to read more!