Topic for Feb. 15. (Thur)

[Alex !]

Surprising Food Facts You’ll Want to Know

Food, glorious food! We think about it, talk about it, shop for it, cook it, order it, and (hopefully) enjoy it. Between all of that, we wouldn’t blame you if you never stopped to consider various food facts. But you should. Not only are they fun, but they also help you understand exactly what lands on your plate, its origin, and how your tastes compare to everyone else’s.

It’s hard to miss the huge yellow heap of bananas in the produce section at a typical grocery store. Grocers are definitely giving the people what they want because, according to the USDA, bananas top the list of the most popular fresh fruit in America. While that may not be a surprising food fact, what may be is that bananas are classified as berries because they come from a single seed. With consumption at 13.4 pounds per person in America, bananas clearly have plenty of a-peel.

A slice of cold, sweet watermelon is one of summer’s greatest pleasures—all the water in the melon’s pretty pink flesh is a sweet and juicy way to stay hydrated. Turns out, Americans aren’t the only ones who appreciate a watermelon. More than 1,200 varieties are grown in 96 countries around the world (ever heard of a yellow watermelon?), and, in terms of production, the United States currently ranks seventh, while China is in first place. Maybe that has something to do with why watermelons are popular hostess gifts in China. Learn how to make edible decorations for your table with these watermelon carving ideas.

A cup-size serving of broccoli delivers 81 milligrams of vitamin C, 18 grams more than you’d get from a whole orange. The same amount of broccoli provides 3 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fiber, and 31 calories. The green veggie is native to Asia and the Mediterranean, and it was introduced to the United States centuries ago—most likely during the colonial era.

Layers upon layers of noodles and cheese are the stuff of dreams, as well as a Sunday staple in many Italian homes. Centuries ago, lasagna was named for the fermented noodle laganon, which was popular in ancient Greece, where lasagna originated. Yes, Greece, not Italy. Lasagna made its way to Italy by way of Roman conquerors. Italians then brought the recipe to North America in the 1800s when they immigrated. Speaking of cheese, find out what is burrata.

Store aisles are packed with sports chews that promise to enhance athletic performance, but there’s a simple, cost-effective, whole-food alternative. Raisins are a gift from Mother Nature to runners, thanks to their carbohydrate and glucose content, which are both sources of quick energy. According to a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, noshing on raisins and drinking water improved running performance as effectively as downing commercial chews.

The origin of this most delightful dessert goes back to the 2nd century B.C., according to the pros at the International Dairy Foods Association. However, specific details are hazy. Numerous early rulers, including Alexander the Great and Nero Claudius Caesar, supposedly enjoyed snow flavored with honey or fruit juices. For the sweet treat we eat today, fast-forward 1,000 years, when the intrepid Marco Polo returned from the Middle East with a sherbet-type recipe that historians say morphed into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. Today, purveyors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream say vanilla is the favorite flavor in the United States, as well as in Germany, Italy, and Brazil.

The USDA agrees with New York state (specifically the department of taxation and finance) in its sandwich determination. But the president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council—a trade group that refers to itself as “the official voice of hot dogs and sausages”—likens calling a hot dog a sandwich to calling the Dalai Lama “just a guy.” The confusion around this food fact stems from a philosophical divide about the precise definition of the word sandwich.

People into food facts trivia have long gone back and forth about whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Classifying eggplant is just as hotly debated. Unbeknownst to many, eggplants are technically classified as fruits—specifically, berries—because they grow from a single flower. (So, by that standard, cucumbers and melons are berries, too.) But the confusion is understandable, especially since chefs tend to roast, fry, grill, and mash eggplant, like they do other vegetables.

Sushi and sashimi may sound interchangeable, but they aren’t. The pros at Benihana, a global chain of 70-plus authentic Japanese restaurants, explain this food fact: Sushi always includes short-grain rice mixed with rice wine vinegar, and it often—but not always—contains fish and is served in bite-size portions. Sashimi refers to thinly sliced ribbons of fish or meats, without rice. Popular types of sashimi include salmon, squid, and fatty tuna. Sushi newbies who aren’t sure about raw fish might want to start by trying options with vegetables, egg, or avocado.

Grapes are popular all around the world, and they’re ripe for transformation—in fact, the vast majority grown are destined to become wine. While only 12 percent of grapes are intended to be eaten fresh, annual U.S. per capita consumption is about eight pounds per person. All grapes offer a great variety of vitamins and minerals, but red and Concord grapes are higher in polyphenols called flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Resveratrol, a polyphenol especially lauded for its antioxidant efforts, is especially concentrated in red grapes.

Personal preference for jam versus jelly or smooth versus crunchy peanut butter aside, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches became the go-to sandwiches for kids in the United States in the mid-1940s. The humble PB&J was on military menus during the Second World War, thanks to its overall portability, ease of preparation, and high protein content, as well as the shelf-stableness of peanut butter. After the war ended, soldiers introduced the sandwich to their families, and iconic status was achieved. Next, find out why peanuts are not actually nuts!