Been busy

It has been a while since an update and the reason has been unprecedented work (from my day job). I promise to be back as soon as possible. Please bear with me.

5 interesting facts about Bottle Gourd

1. Bottle Gourd is native to Africa.

2. One of the first cultivated plants in the world, the initial use was not as a food but as a container to hold water!

3. Bottle gourd contains cucurbitacins that are known to be cytotoxic at a high concentration.

4. A variety of bottle gourd is used as the resonator in the making of stringed Indian musical instruments like the Sitar and the Veena.

5. In Nigeria, round bottle gourds (called calabashes) have been used to avoid a law requiring the wearing of a helmet on a motorcycle.

5 interesting facts about Peas

1. Peas are presumed to be native to Mediterranean region.

2. Botanically, peas are actually a fruit, although they are classified as a vegetable.

3. China is the world’s largest producer of peas followed by India.

4. Favabeanism is a genetic condition related to pea consumption that affects Jews and other Middle Eastern Semitic people.

5. Pea milk is commercially produced alternative to cater to people who cannot consume dairy, soy, nut and gluten products.

5 interesting facts about Ginger

1. Ginger is native to Southern Asia.

2. Although normally classified as a root, Ginger is actually a rhizome.

3. India is the world’s largest producer of Ginger followed by China.

4. Ginger has a sialagogue action, stimulating the production of saliva, which makes swallowing easier.

5. When ginger is pickled in sweet vinegar, it turns pink. This is the ginger often seen accompanying sushi.

5 interesting facts about Garlic

1. Garlic is native to Central Asia.

2. Close relatives of garlic include the Onion, shallot, leek, chive and rakkyo.

3. China is the world’s largest producer of Garlic followed by India.

4. While the bulb is the primary edible part of Garlic, sometimes, the leaves, flowers and head are also eaten.

5. Due to its antimicrobial properties, garlic along with cinnamon is used as a fish and meat preservative.

5 interesting facts about Coconut

1. The Coconut is native to India.

2. The coconut fruit is actually a drupe and not a nut as the name indicates.

3. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of coconuts, followed by the Philippines.

4. It is said that coconuts can travel a 110 days or 3,000 miles at sea and still be capable of germination!

5. Virtually every part of the coconut tree can be used by humans in some manner and has significant economic value. This is probably why it is called kalpa vriksha (the tree that provides everything) in Sanskrit and pokok seribu (the tree of a 1,000 uses) in Malay.

5 interesting facts about Tamarind

1. Tamarind is native to tropical India and Africa.

2. India is the world’s largest producer of tamarind followed by Latin America.

3. Despite being a fruit, the tamarind has a high proportion of calcium!

4. Tamarind contains tartaric acid. This makes it an excellent agent for metal polishing for copper, bronze and brass vessels and utensils.

5. In some parts of Ghana, tamarind pulp is used to make some poisonous yams edible!

5 interesting facts about Asparagus

1. Asparagus is native to Europe.

2. China is the world’s largest producer of asparagus followed by Peru.

3. Asparagus is said to be a useful companion plant for tomatoes.

4. Many German cities hold an annual asparagus festival. The city of Schwetzingen also crowns an annual "Asparagus Queen!"

5. Emperor Augustus is credited with having created the "Asparagus Fleet" for hauling the vegetable in ancient times.

5 interesting facts about Barley

1. Barley is native to Eurasia.

2. As far as cereal crops go, barley is at position four – both in terms of quantity produced as well as area under cultivation.

3. Russia is the world’s leading producer of Barley followed by Germany.

4. It is said that the Prophet Muhammed prescribed barley as the cure for seven diseases.

5. Till the 19^th century, barley grains were used as a measurement in England!

5 interesting facts about Coffee

1. Coffee is native to tropical Africa.

2. Coffee is slightly acidic and has a stimulating effect on humans because of its caffeine content.

3. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee followed by Vietnam.

4. Coffee was initially used for spiritual reasons.

5. Johann Sebastian Bach was inspired to compose the Coffee Cantana due to his dependence on the beverage!

5 interesting facts about Tea

1. Tea is native to China

2. After water, Tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world.

3. China is the world’s largest producer of Tea, followed by India.

4. Tea is sensitive to and easily retains odors. This is both a blessing and a curse. Curse because it needs care during processing and packing and a blessing because of the ease of infusing various flavors.

5. The flavor of tea can be altered by pouring it from different heights, which results in varying degrees of aeration.

5 interesting facts about Soybean

1. Soybean is native to East Asia

2. Soybean produces more significantly more protein per acre than any other agricultural product.

3. The United States is the world’s leading producer of Soybean followed by Brazil.

4. Soybeans are also used in industrial products, including oils, soap, cosmetics, resins, plastics, inks, crayons, solvents, and clothing.

5. In 1936, the Ford Motor Company used a mixture of Soybean and fibers were rolled together and pressed to form various automobile components.

5 interesting facts about Carrots

1. Carrots are said to be native to Central Asia.

2. China is the world leader in the production of carrots followed by Uzbekistan.

3. Although usually orange in color, some naturally occurring species can be purple, black, red, white or yellow!

4. Spices like parsley, fennel, dill and cumin are close relatives of the carrot.

5. Excessive consumption of carrots over a period of time results in a condition called carotenemia characterized by a yellowing of the skin.

5 interesting facts about Cauliflower

1. Cauliflower is said to be native to Italy.

2. China is the world’s largest producer of Cauliflower followed by India.

3. Apart from the regular white, naturally occurring species of cauliflower include orange, green and purple varieties!

4. Cauliflower has fractal dimension properties – due to which, every branch or module is similar to the entire cauliflower!

5. Cauliflower can be turned into flour from which pizza or biscuits are made!

5 interesting facts about Apricots

1. Apricots are said to be native to Armenia.

2. Turkey is the world’s largest producer of apricots followed by Iran.

3. Black or Purple Apricots are actually a hybrid of an apricot and plum tree. They are variously called plumcots, apriplums, pluots or apriums!

4. The liqueur Amaretto and Amaretti biscotti are flavored with an extract of apricot kernels!

5. Apricots belong to the Rosaceae (rose) family along with other members like apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, raspberries and strawberries.

3 Awesome Food Periodic Tables that inspire!

1. Paleo Food Staples

2. Unscientific yet interesting criteria!

3. Plain and healthy Food Groups

5 interesting facts about Wheat

1. Wheat is native to the Levant region.

2. Wheat is grown on more land area than any other commercial food. Currently, it is second only to rice as a human food crop.

3. China is the world’s largest producer of maize followed by India.

4. World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined!

5. Apart from white and red wheat, other naturally evolved species include black, yellow and blue wheat!

5 interesting facts about Maize

1. Maize is native to the Mexico.

2. Maize is biologically a kernel. It is often erroneously called a seed.

3. The United States is the world’s largest producer of maize followed by China.

4. Maize ears along with tobacco leaves are carved into the capitals of columns in the United States Capitol building.

5. Maize is used as fish bait in coarse fishing and by hunters as bait for animals like deer and wild hogs.

5 interesting facts about Papaya

1. The Papaya is native to the Tropic of Americas.

2. Papaya plants grown in three sexes: Male, female and hermaphrodite. All commercial papaya orchards only contain hermaphrodites.

3. India is the world’s largest producer of Papaya followed by Brazil.

4. Green Papaya and the tree latex contain papain which is used to tenderize meat.

5. The Papaya tree was the first transgenic fruit tree to have its genome sequenced.

5 interesting facts about Cherries

1. The Cherry is native to the Northern Hemisphere (America, Europe and Asia).

2. The Cherry is part of the Rosaceae family. Other members of this family include almonds, peaches, apricots, plums and of course, roses!

3. Turkey is the world’s leading producer of Cherry followed by the United States.

4. A chemical reaction between cherries and alkaline products like baking powder causes a blue discoloration in baked goods.

5. The wood of some cherry trees is especially esteemed for the manufacture of fine furniture.

5 interesting facts about Cashew nuts

1. The Cashew nut tree is native to Brazil.

2. Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of Cashew Nuts, followed by Nigeria.

3. The shell of the Cashew Nut contains oil compounds which cause contact dermatitis. This is similar in intensity to that caused by poison ivy!

4. In traditional Mayan medicine, the leaves and bark of the Cashew tree are used in a tea to treat diarrhea!

5. Alcoholic drinks can be produced by fermenting the cashew apple.

5 interesting facts about Peanuts

1. Peanuts are native to South America.

2. The Peanut is not really a nut. Biologically, it is classified as a legume. However, for culinary reasons it is accepted as a nut.

3. China is the world’s leading producer of peanuts followed by India.

4. Paint, varnish, furniture polish, insecticides, soap, cosmetics and nitroglycerin are some industrial products made with peanut oil.

5. Peanuts can also be used to make peanut-milk, a kind of lactose-free milk like beverage that helps fight malnutrition in Africa.

5 interesting facts about Beetroot

1. Beetroot is presumed to be native to Scandinavia.

2. The original beet roots were long and thin like carrots. The modern round beetroot is presumed to have appeared only after the 16^th century.

3. Russia is the world’s largest producer of beetroot followed by France.

4. Apart from being used as food, beetroot is commonly used as a coloring agent and as medicine.

5. Beetroot can also be used to make wine!

5 interesting facts about Spinach

1. Spinach is native to Ancient Persia.

2. Spinach is related to beets and belongs to the same family!

3. China is the world’s leading producer of Spinach followed by the United States.

4. Spinach contains an appreciable amount of iron. However it also contains oxalate – an iron-absorption inhibiting substance!

5. The cartoon character Popeye is credited in increasing US domestic consumption of spinach. Crystal City, Texas has a statue of him!

5 interesting facts about Cabbage

1. Cabbage is most likely native to Europe.

2. China is the world’s largest producer of cabbages followed by India.

3. The characteristic flavor of cabbage is caused by glucosinolates, a class of sulfur-containing glucosides. When cabbage is overcooked, hydrogen sulfide gas is produced!

4. In cuisine, cabbages can be boiled, steamed, stewed, sautéed, braised, pickled, fermented for use in Sauerkraut, or even eaten raw!

5. The ancient Romans described the medicinal properties of cabbage, recommending it to counter drunkenness and cure hangovers!

5 interesting facts about Peaches

1. Peaches are native to Northwest China.

2. Peaches are a type of prune and are closely related to cherry, apricots, almonds and plums. They are a member of the rose family.

3. China is the world’s leading producer of Peaches followed by Italy.

4. Peaches have always been significant in Oriental cultures like China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. In Europe, several renaissance artists have painted still life paintings of fruits with the peach given a prominent position.

5. Some 110 chemical compounds contribute to the characteristic peach aroma, including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, polyphenols and terpenoids.

5 interesting facts about Watermelon

1. Watermelon is native to Southern Africa.

2. The watermelon fruit is actually a kind of berry. Botanically, it is called a Pepo.

3. China is the world’s largest producer of watermelon, closely followed by Turkey.

4. Although the flesh is the most often consumed part, some cuisines make use of the rind and even seeds. Pickled watermelon rind is a Southern US speciality.

5. Naturally round or oblong, farmers in the Zentsuji region of Japan have successfully grown cubic watermelons! The shape was designed to make the fruit easier to stack.

5 interesting facts about Rice

1. Rice is native to China.

2. Rice is an agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production. China is the world leader in production followed by India.

3. The largest collection of rice cultivars, number over 100,000 is housed at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines

4. Apart from being a staple food source, rice and its by-products are used to make straw, rope, paper, wine, biscuits, beer, cosmetics, packing materials and even toothpaste!

5. Two Japanese car brands were named after rice. Toyota means ‘bountiful rice field’ and Honda means ‘the main rice field’.

5 interesting facts about Potatoes

1. Potatoes are native to South America.

2. Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest food crop. China is the largest producer followed by India. Together, these two countries account for a third of the world’s production.

3. There are over 5,000 varieties of potatoes grown worldwide. Nearly 3,000 varieties are found in the Andes region alone. There are even purple and blue potatoes!

4. Potatoes contain toxic compounds called glycoalkaloids. These are concentrated in the green flowers, sprouts and leaves.

5. Vodka, Potcheen and Akvavit are alcoholic beverages brewed from potatoes!

5 interesting facts about Oranges

1. Oranges are native to Southern China and North-Eastern India.

2. Orange trees are estimated to be the most cultivated fruit trees in the world! Brazil is the world’s leading producer of oranges, followed by the United States.

3. Over two thirds of all orange produce goes for juice extraction. The rest is sold as fruit or converted to marmalade, preserves and Orange Oil.

4. After chocolate and vanilla, orange is the world’s favourite flavor!

5. Orange peel is used by gardeners as a slug repellent!

5 interesting facts about Bananas

1. Bananas are native to tropical Indo-Malaya and Australia.

2. The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant. Indian is the world’s largest cultivator of Bananas followed by China.

3. Nearly every part of the banana plant is useful. The fruit is consumed either ripe or raw. The flowers and trunk are used in Asian cuisine. The leaves are used as temporary utensils or waterproof roofing. The fiber is used to make textiles and paper!

4. Because of their high potassium content, Bananas are naturally radioactive!

5. The Banana has its own emoji! The Unicode standard includes U+1F34C to represent the banana. In HTML, this is &#127820.

5 interesting facts about Onions

1. It is believed that onions are native to Central Asia.

2. Over 170 countries produce onions as a agricultural product. China is the largest cultivator closely followed by India.

3. The stinging sensation caused by freshly cut onions is due to the presence of the volatile gas Syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This gas stimulates the nerves in the eyes.

4. Raw and cooked onions contain traces of sulfoxide. While not harmful to humans, this could potentially be deadly for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, monkeys and other animals.

5. Onions are also used in divination! Divination by onions is called Cromniomancy!

5 interesting facts about Mangoes

1. The mango is native to South Asia.

2. The mango is the most-cultivated fruit in the tropics. India is the leading cultivator of the Mango with almost 50% of global production. China is the second largest producer.

3. The mango is the National Fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines. The mango tree is the National Tree of Bangladesh.

4. Mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios.

5. Mango trees can grow up to a 100 feet tall. Even trees as old as 300 years continue to bear fruits!

5 interesting facts about Apples

1. Apples are native to Central Asia.

2. There are over 7,500 known varieties of Apples grown today. China leads with 49% of the total world production.

3. The Apple tree was perhaps the earliest tree to be cultivated. This is probably why Apples are remarkably significant in many cultures including Norse, Greek and European Christian.

4. The seeds of Apples contain a sugar and cyanide compound called cyanogenic glycoside. In small doses, these are not harmful to humans.

5. Apples are actually part of the Rose family – just like pears and plums!