You've always been taught not to play with your food, but what you can do is play around with these fun and bizarre food facts! From lethal eats to exotic delicacies to things you would have never guessed, keep scrolling to learn something fascinating about the foods you consume.
1. Fruity Surprise
Strawberries aren't true berries, but bananas are! The botanical definition of a berry includes fruits that develop from a single ovary, and by that logic, strawberries don't qualify.
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2. Honey's Timelessness
Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have even found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible!
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3. Bean Trivia
Coffee beans aren't beans. They're the seeds inside the fruit of the coffee plant, sometimes referred to as "coffee cherries."
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4. Wriggly Delicacies
In some parts of the world, people eat the still-beating heart of a snake. It's considered a delicacy and is believed to have health benefits.
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5. Fungi Mystery
The largest living organism on Earth is a fungus. The honey fungus in Oregon covers over 2,385 acres of land!
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6. Choco-facts
White chocolate isn't truly chocolate. It contains no cocoa solids, which are necessary components of milk and dark chocolate.
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7. Pineapple's Secret
Despite what you may think, no, pineapples don't grow on trees. They grow on bushy plants close to the ground, with each plant producing just one pineapple.
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8. Cashew Protection
Cashews come from a fruit called the cashew apple, and the nut is actually the seed. The shell of the cashew seed contains a toxic substance, which is why they're never sold in their shell.
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9. Chewy Facts
Gelatin, found in many gummy candies and desserts, is actually derived from animal collagen. It's often from pig skin or cow bones!
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10. Veggie Ice Cream?
In Japan, you can find ice cream flavors like wasabi, squid ink, and even horse meat. They're adventurous with their flavours over there!
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11. Tomato Debates
Tomatoes are botanically fruits, but they're legally considered vegetables in the U.S. This classification came from a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1893.
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12. Popping Corns
Only a specific type of corn called "popcorn" can pop. Regular corn doesn't have the ability to turn into the puffy treat we love.
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13. Spicy Chillies
The spiciness of chillies is measured using Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The Carolina Reaper currently holds the record for the world's spiciest pepper.
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14. Peanut Underground
Surprise! Peanuts aren't nuts. They're legumes, and they grow underground, unlike walnuts or almonds that grow on trees.
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15. The Gold Leaf Delight
There's a dessert called the "Golden Opulence Sundae" that costs $1,000. It's served in a New York City restaurant and includes ingredients like edible gold leaf and the world's rarest chocolate.
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16. Century-Old Eggs
"Century eggs" or "preserved eggs" aren't a hundred years old, but they are preserved for weeks to months in a mixture of clay, ash, and other ingredients, giving them a unique flavor and appearance.
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17. Wasabi Reality
Most "wasabi" served outside of Japan is just horseradish dyed green. Genuine wasabi is challenging to grow and is therefore more expensive.
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18. Potato's Dark Side
Green potatoes are toxic. The green color indicates the presence of solanine, a natural toxin that can cause nausea and other negative health effects.
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19. Expanding Noodles
Instant ramen noodles were inspired by traditional Japanese noodles, but they're fried before packaging, which is why they expand so quickly when cooked.
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20. Coca-Cola's Origin
The original formula for Coca-Cola contained cocaine. It was removed from the recipe in the early 1900s and replaced with caffeine.
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21. Ancient Bubblegum
Ancient Greeks chewed a gum-like substance called "mastiche" derived from the resin of the mastic tree. It was prized both for its flavor and its medicinal properties.
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22. Floating Eggs
A fresh egg will sink in water, but an older, stale egg will float. This is because, over time, the egg loses moisture and air enters, making it less dense.
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23. Lobster's Blue Blood
Lobsters have blue blood due to the presence of hemocyanin, which contains copper. Humans have iron-based hemoglobin, which makes our blood red.
24. Bitter Almonds' Secret
Eating a handful of raw bitter almonds could be lethal. They contain cyanide, but the sweet almonds we eat are safe and cyanide-free.
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25. Miracle Fruit Trickery
There's a fruit called "miracle fruit" that makes sour foods taste sweet. Consuming it can turn a lemon's taste into something resembling sweet lemonade!
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26. Escargot Farms
France has escargot (snail) farms where they raise snails for consumption. It's a delicacy often served with garlic butter.
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27. Civet Coffee Controversy
One of the most expensive coffees, Kopi Luwak, involves civets eating coffee cherries and then excreting the beans, which are cleaned and brewed. Some people prize it for its unique flavor, although its process is a little less than desired.
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28. Pufferfish Risk
The Japanese delicacy, fugu, or pufferfish, can be lethal if not prepared correctly. Chefs need rigorous training and certification to serve it legally.
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29. Carrot Colors
Originally, carrots weren't orange. They were primarily purple and yellow until Dutch farmers in the 17th century cultivated orange ones, which eventually became the norm.
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30. Chocolate's Medicinal Past
In the 18th century, chocolate was used as a medical treatment. It was believed to treat ailments from fevers to indigestion.
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31. The Pricey Watermelon
In Japan, some watermelons are grown in a square shape and can fetch over $100 each. They're often given as luxury gifts.
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32. Unmeltable Ice Cream
Scientists in Japan developed an ice cream that doesn't melt quickly, thanks to a compound extracted from strawberries. This discovery means that on a hot day, there's more time to enjoy the treat before it turns into a puddle.
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33. Lettuce Sleep
In ancient times, lettuce was believed to have sedative properties. It was eaten to promote a good night's sleep.
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34. Avocado's Etymology
The word "avocado" comes from the Nahuatl word "āhuacatl," which means "testicle." This is likely due to the fruit's shape and the fact it hangs in pairs from the tree.
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35. Canned Bread
In New England, especially Massachusetts, you can find bread in a can. It's called "Brown Bread" and often served with traditional Boston baked beans.
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36. Ripe Bananas
A perfectly ripe banana produces a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) that has anti-cancer properties.
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37. Garlic's Vampire Myth
Garlic has been thought to ward off vampires, a belief stemming from its ability to fight infections. Historically, it was used to combat plagues and infectious diseases.
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38. Cilantro Soap Mystery
To some people, cilantro tastes like soap. This is due to a specific gene that affects the taste receptors.
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39. Expensive Pizza
There's a pizza called "Louis XIII" that costs $12,000. Made in Italy, it takes 72 hours to prepare and is topped with rare ingredients like three types of caviar, lobster, and sea cicada.
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40. Magnetic Honeybees
Honeybees have tiny magnetite crystals in their abdomens, allowing them to sense Earth's magnetic field. It helps in their navigation while foraging for food.
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