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 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 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!

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 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 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 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!