As
a food lover, we all have our favorite dishes and snacks that we cannot resist. But did you know that there is also some interesting and surprising knowledge about our favorite foods? Here are some cool food facts that every foodie should know:
1. French fries were not invented in France Despite their name, French fries were actually first made in Belgium. In the late 1600s, villagers in the Meuse Valley started frying strips of potatoes as a substitute for fish during winter when the rivers froze over.
2. Apples are more effective than caffeine for waking you up in the morning Apples contain natural sugars, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, which provide a longer-lasting energy boost compared to caffeine. Plus, they are a healthier alternative to heavily-processed energy drinks and coffee with added sugars.
3. Honey never spoils Due to its high sugar content and low water content, honey has a very long shelf life and can remain edible for thousands of years. In fact, archaeologists have found jars of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are still edible.
4. Carrots were originally purple The carrots that we know today were selectively bred by Dutch growers in the 16th century to be orange in honor of the royal family. Before that, carrots were primarily purple, yellow, and white.
5. Popsicles were invented by accident in 1905 An 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson left a mixture of soda powder and water outside on a cold winter night with a stirring stick still in it. The mixture froze overnight, and the resulting ice lolly was a hit with his friends, and Epperson decided to turn his accidental invention into a business.
6. Chocolate was once used as currency During the Aztec empire, cocoa beans were highly valued and used as a form of currency. It is said that 10 cocoa beans could buy a rabbit, while 100 cocoa beans could buy a slave.
7. Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not Despite its name, a banana is a berry, while a strawberry is not. Berries are fruits that have seeds surrounded by fleshy pulp, which describes bananas. Strawberries, on the other hand, are not classified as a berry since their seeds are on the outside.
8. Popcorn has more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables Popcorn is made from whole grains, and as such, it contains a high amount of polyphenols, a class of antioxidants that have been linked to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Some studies show that popcorn contains more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables.
9. Watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable Watermelon is classified as both a fruit and a vegetable since it is part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes other fruits such as squash and cucumbers.
10 Pizza delivery drivers receive more speeding tickets than any other profession According to a study conducted by insurance.com, pizza delivery drivers are among the most likely to receive speeding tickets due to the nature of their job, which requires them to deliver food quickly. Now that you know these cool food facts, you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge while enjoying your favorite snacks and meals.