Kombu, also called dashima or haidai, is an edible brown seaweed that belongs to the Laminariaceae family. It is popular as a cooking ingredient in East Asia, especially among the Japanese, who use it to make dashi, a stock soup. Kombu is mainly harvested along the shores of Japan and Korea, and it is usually sold dried or pickled in vinegar. It is also used to make “kombucha,” a seaweed tea renowned for its rejuvenating…
Chia is a species of flowering plant that bears oval-shaped, multicolored seeds. These seeds, which have a neutral taste and crunchy texture, have been cultivated for centuries as a survival food in their native Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds had only just begun to enjoy recognition in the United States, however, when the eccentric Californian gadget company, Joseph Enterprises, began to market them in the 1980s as “Chia Pets,” which are terracotta figurines that sprouted…
The purple mangosteen is a tropical tree that is native to Southeast Asia but also grows in South America and other consistently warm climates. It bears sweet, juicy fruits that are characterized by their fragrant white flesh and inedible purple rinds. Mangosteens are universally cherished for their nutritional value, and mangosteen products – including mangosteen juice and powder – have become immensely popular in the Western world. Below is a list of reasons why these strange, peach-sized…
Celery has long been associated with good health. The stalks of this aromatic plant, which is believed to have originated from the Mediterranean basin, has been used worldwide to treat countless medical issues ranging from mild constipation to serious inflammatory diseases. Today, over one billion pounds of celery are produced annually in the United States alone, with Michigan, Florida, and California accounting for 80 percent of all celery production. Despite its popularity, many people assume…
Strawberries are one of the most attractive, popular, and glamorized fruits available today. Their bright red color, enchanting aroma, and wonderfully subtle and sweet taste have made them a heavily sought-after fruit in most parts of the world. They are primarily eaten raw, although they can also be added to foods and beverages to provide that ever-pleasing strawberry flavor. Pies, milkshakes, ice creams, milks, and yogurts are just some foods that routinely feature strawberries as…
