Mesquite is a deciduous tree that is native to the Americas, especially in the desert regions of northern Mexico, western South America, and southern United States. It is a sturdy, drought-tolerant tree that survives well in arid and semi-arid regions that receive little rainfall. Though it is considered a nuisance by ranchers because its roots often steal moisture from neighboring flora, the mesquite tree does have a saving grace: it produces highly nutritious seed pods…
Tempeh is a fermented soy product that originates from the island of Java in Indonesia. It is made from cooked and de-hulled soybeans and culturing agents, and is characterized by its distinctive texture and solid consistency. Tempeh remains a staple in the diet of many Indonesians, though – like many other soy products, such as soy sauce, miso, and natto – it is also becoming popular in the West due to its numerous health benefits….
Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) is a plant native to the Amazon rainforest in Peru. It is characterized by its star-shaped green leaves, towering height (it can often reach two meters or higher), white flowers, and edible seeds. These seeds, which look like brown nuts and are also called sacha peanuts, Inca peanuts, or mountain peanuts, have been cultivated by Peru’s indigenous population for centuries, although they are just as likely to be used in oil…
Royal jelly is a substance secreted from the glands of worker bees to feed their larvae and queens. It is thick in texture, milky-white in color, and has been harvested by humans for centuries for its alleged rejuvenating properties. Indeed, it is a fact that queen bees – which are fed royal jelly their entire lives – live approximately 40 times longer than drone or worker bees, largely due to the jelly’s nutritiousness. List of…
Propolis, also called bee glue, is a sticky, brown mixture that honey bees make from their saliva and the resin of tree bark for repairing damage to their hive and sealing it from invaders. Unlike beeswax, which is used to seal larger open spaces, bees tend to reserve propolis for smaller gaps. Europeans have treasured the mixture for centuries for its medicinal properties, though its popularity is slowing growing in North America as well. Propolis…
