Should you stop throwing away your food?
An important part of our lives, humans eat food to taste every flavor and texture, and, of course, to survive. And even if you might just consider food solely as fuel, there's more to it than you might imagine. From the high protein in broccoli to the origins of the Caesar salad, check out this gallery to discover some fascinating food facts.
You will rarely find an ear of corn with an uneven number. By the way, a typical ear of corn usually has 16 rows.
Even if there are over a thousand varieties of bananas all over the world, the most common ones found in the supermarket are all genetic clones of the Cavendish variety. This is because it doesn't have seeds, and it survives longer than the other varieties.
In 18th-century Europe, the tomato was nicknamed "the poison apple," because aristocrats would often fall ill and die after eating them. However, this was caused by the tomatoes' high acidity that would cause lead to release from pewter tableware.
Even if some green peppers are unripe red peppers, the green, yellow, orange, and red ones are all different plants with their own seeds.
That glossy sheen coated on gummy candies is actually carnauba wax, which is also used on cars to make them look shiny.
Carminic acid, also known as carmine, is a common red food dye made from the crushed carcasses of a beetle known as the Dactylopius coccus. It's often found in Skittles, berry-flavored junk food, and even lipstick.
Chili peppers contain a chemical known as capsaicin, which naturally connects to the pain receptors in our nerves. This is why spicy food hurts so much.
Cellulose is essentially sawdust. It's used in various shredded cheese products and cereals to prevent them from clumping.
There was a time when chickens only produced about a dozen eggs a year. Today, they produce hundreds of eggs yearly.
Avocados are actually classified as a berry with a large seed. This healthy food must be picked when matured in order to ripen, which can take between one and two weeks.
Besides the usual nutrition one gets from greens, there's more protein in broccoli than steak. Plus, it doesn't come with saturated and trans fats or cholesterol.
Surprisingly, pistachios are actually seeds of a fruit (the outer fruit is removed during processing). They're rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
This might sound disturbing to some, but hamburgers are almost always a mix of many animals. The same goes for the ground beef that we buy in the supermarket.
In 1924, chef Caesar Cardini was hosting a Fourth of July celebration when he ran out of food. He threw together the ingredients he had lying around the kitchen and created this unique salad, which obviously became a success.
The original carrots look nothing like the ones we eat today. Back in the day, they used to be purple or white. However, due to a genetic mutation in the late 16th century, the vegetable turned orange and won out over the original color.
It's actually acid, not sugar, that's the major cause of tooth decay, and crackers have a high acidity content. On top of that, they're really sticky and get stuck between your teeth, which is a haven for bacteria.
Wild salmon are naturally pink due to the large amount of shrimps they eat. However, farm-raised salmon achieve their pink color because farmers add carotenoids, a plant pigment, to their food.
Don't sprinkle too much nutmeg into your beverage and foods. Consuming too much of the spice can cause the physical effects of a hallucinogenic drug, including out-of-body sensations, nausea, and dizziness.
The same goes for cherries, plums, pears, strawberries, and blackberries. They all typically have flowers with five equal petals arranged around a central core.
If you split a grape almost in half and put it in the microwave, it will create an explosive fireball of plasma and lighting. However, avoid this if you don't want any messy accidents!
In the 1830s, a doctor in Ohio claimed that tomatoes could treat diarrhea and indigestion. He published recipes of tomato ketchup that he later turned into a concentrated pill.
Eating peanut butter can actually lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss, and help prevent type 2 diabetes. Surprisingly, it can also glow in the dark after intense light exposure!
Some varieties of the shellfish can survive out of the water for up to two weeks. However, oysters need to be served very quickly because once they die they're no longer safe to eat.
When kept in its natural state, honey is very low in moisture and high in acidity. These are the two primary factors against food spoilage.
Because of their high water content and chemical makeup, potatoes can absorb and reflect radio and wireless signals.
Known for their love of chocolate, the Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency. They also used cocoa to pay their taxes.
Titanium dioxide is a food additive that is often used to make things appear whiter. It's also found in other items like paint, sunscreen, and laundry detergent.
Thanks to their high carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin C, and mineral content, apples will give you more energy than coffee. So next time you're low on energy, grab an apple!
It might not be a nut that's often consumed, but pecans are actually one of the most antioxidant-rich nuts out there. A great option if you need a boost.
Cranberries are actually known as "bounce berries" because they bounce when they're rip! In fact, bouncing them is a common ripeness test for farmers.
Sources: (Insider) (Eat This, Not That!)
See also: Endangered food that may soon disappear from our planet
Astonishing food facts that will shock you
Did you know that potatoes can absorb Wi-Fi signals?
FOOD Curiosities
An important part of our lives, humans eat food to taste every flavor and texture, and, of course, to survive. And even if you might just consider food solely as fuel, there's more to it than you might imagine. From the high protein in broccoli to the origins of the Caesar salad, check out this gallery to discover some fascinating food facts.