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.
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash
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!
Photo by Arwin Neil Baichoo on Unsplash
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."
Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash
5. Fungi Mystery
The largest living organism on Earth is a fungus. The honey fungus in Oregon covers over 2,385 acres of land!
Photo by Volodymyr Tokar on Unsplash
6. Choco-facts
White chocolate isn't truly chocolate. It contains no cocoa solids, which are necessary components of milk and dark chocolate.
Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Julien Pianetti on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash
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!
Photo by Evie Fjord on Unsplash
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!
Photo by Candy Zimmermann on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Lars Blankers on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Tanushree Rao on Unsplash
14. Peanut Underground
Surprise! Peanuts aren't nuts. They're legumes, and they grow underground, unlike walnuts or almonds that grow on trees.
Photo by Vladislav Nikonov on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Peter Olexa on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Rodrigo Pereira on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Crystal Jo on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Lars Blankers on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Fernando Andrade on Unsplash
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.
Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Ben Weber on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Jakub Kapusnak on Unsplash
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.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
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!
Photo by Jonas Kakaroto on Unsplash
26. Escargot Farms
France has escargot (snail) farms where they raise snails for consumption. It's a delicacy often served with garlic butter.
Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
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.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Gabriel Gurrola on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Tetiana Bykovets on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Floh Keitgen on Unsplash
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.
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
33. Lettuce Sleep
In ancient times, lettuce was believed to have sedative properties. It was eaten to promote a good night's sleep.
Photo by Petr Magera on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
36. Ripe Bananas
A perfectly ripe banana produces a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) that has anti-cancer properties.
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
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.
Photo by team voyas on Unsplash
38. Cilantro Soap Mystery
To some people, cilantro tastes like soap. This is due to a specific gene that affects the taste receptors.
Photo by Phillip Larking on Unsplash
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.
Photo by Shourav Sheikh on Unsplash
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.