Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
What did the Italians eat before Columbus? Lycopersicon esculentum History The tomato is a member of the nightshade family originating from western South America. The early Aztecs of Mexico considered the tomato a ìhealthî food and reverently offered it to their gods of healing. Europeans shunned it, initially, suspicious of its shiny bright colours. Today […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
My Oh My, Sweet Pumpkin Pie Curcubita maxima/mixta/pepo History The pumpkin, along with other squashes, is native to the Americas. It comes in a variety of colours ranging from white and peach to even blue and aqua. The Native Americans cultivated, dried and made pumpkin into a type of flour. The Chinese named the pumpkin […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
The Humble Spud Solanum tuberosum History Native to the Andes, the potato was introduced to Europe in 1534 after the conquistador, Francisco Pizarro stumbled upon it near Quito, Ecuador. He described the potato as “a tasty, mealy truffle”. The potato became popular, albeit reluctantly, by peasants who thought the tubers looked like leprous hands and […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
Which came first, the fruit or the colour? Citrus sinensis, C.aurantium, C. reticulata History Oranges are a favourite fruit in mythology, having been identified as the Golden Apples that grew in the mythological garden of the Hesperides (probably the Canary Islands). Legend has it that the golden apple presented by Gaea, the ancient Greek goddess […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
Know your Onions Allium cepa History Considered to be of Central Asian origin and spread around the world via migrating Indo-European tribes, the onion is a member of the lily family. It has been eaten by the Egyptians, who esteemed the onion as a source of strength (and consequently fed to all slaves building the […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
If you go down to the woods today… Agaricus bisporus History The word mushroom is derived from the French word ‘mousseron’, meaning they grow on moist moss. For centuries these primitive plants have been linked with magic and myth, created by bolts of lightning. In Egypt, none but the pharaohs were permitted to partake of […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
No Vampires Round Here… Allium sativum, Allium scorodoprasum History The entire ancient world from Spain to China revered garlic. It’s the world’s second oldest medicine. The ancient Egyptians used garlic to increase stamina and strength as well as protection from disease, and gave it freely to labourers and slaves (to keep them building the pyramids!). […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
Available in mild, medium, hot, very hot, ‘excruciating’, and ‘you’ll wish you’d never been born’ Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens History Native to the Americas, peppers and chillis are not related in any manner to black pepper. They were originally cultivated by the Incas of Peru and so highly valued in that the pods were used […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
Motivation Rule #1: Carrots work better than sticks Daucus carota sativa History Most probably native to the region of Afghanistan, where there still exists the greatest diversity, the carrot has not always been orange nor so very sweet. Purple was the colour of the first carrot, coloured by anthocyanidins. During the 9th and 10th centuries, […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
Wecome to the banana republic Musa acuminata History The banana plant, a giant perennial herb, and its long slender fruit have been known and used since ancient times, surprisingly even before the cultivation of rice. The banana’s origin is thought to be East Asia and Oceania. From there, the originally red and green varieties spread […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
A finer pear there never was.. Persea americana History The avocado is originally from southern Mexico and Central America. A member of the laurel family, the fruit matures on the tree but only ripens when picked. There are about 500 varieties and they grow only in tropical climates. At their peak, the avocado contains a […]
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 | crankit
You’re the Apple Of my Eye Malus sylvestris, Malus pumila History Probably a native of the Caucasus Mountains of western Asia and Turkey where carbonised apples dating to 6500 BCE have been found (almost as old as the ones in the supermarket!). The English word ‘apple’ comes from the Italian province Abela, where the modern […]
