Ancient Aztecs used cacao beans as money, valuing them more than gold.
Modern pizza originated as a street food in 18th-century Naples, Italy.
Many think sushi means raw fish, but it actually refers to the vinegared rice.
Archaeological evidence suggests cheese-making began over 7,000 years ago.
Botanically speaking, bananas qualify as berries, but strawberries do not.
Honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs is still edible after thousands of years.
Brown and white eggs are nutritionally the same; shell color is due to the chicken breed.
Corn is used in sweeteners, fuels, plastics, and even some cosmetics.
Orange carrots were developed later; the original ones were purple and yellow.
Kobe beef comes from a specific strain of Wagyu cattle raised in Japan under strict guidelines.
Bread was so important that it was often used in religious rituals and as offerings to gods.
This air content makes apples float in water, perfect for apple-bobbing games.
Pickles are cucumbers that have been soaked in a brine of vinegar, salt, and spices.
Studies suggest garlic can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
Each pineapple plant only produces one fruit every two years.
Octopus is commonly eaten in Mediterranean, Korean, and Japanese cuisine.
Properly stored wine can improve over time, developing richer flavors and aromas.
Over 70 mushroom species are bioluminescent, emitting a soft green glow.
White chocolate doesn’t contain cocoa solids, only cocoa butter, sugar, and milk.
Peanuts are legumes, related to beans and lentils, not tree nuts.
Cut onions absorb moisture and odors, which is why they’re sometimes used to deodorize spaces.
Due to density differences, lemons float in water while limes typically sink.
In France, traditional baguettes must be made with only flour, water, salt, and yeast by law.
Buffalo wings originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964.
Traditional soy sauce can take six months or more to ferment and develop its flavor.
Mangoes are loved across the globe and are considered the most consumed fruit.
Green tea originated in China and has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
The ancient Egyptians believed lettuce had healing and fertility properties.
Butter sculpting is a popular tradition at fairs, especially in the American Midwest.
Almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk are popular alternatives to dairy milk.
Napoleon offered a reward for food preservation methods; the result was canned food.
Raisins are made by drying grapes, concentrating their sugars and flavors.
Ice cream cones became popular at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Though named after Hamburg, Germany, the hamburger was popularized in the U.S.
Monks created pretzels to represent arms crossed in prayer and gave them to children who learned their prayers.
Dumplings date back over 1,800 years in China and were originally created for medicinal purposes.
The first juice box was introduced in 1963 by a Swedish company called Tetra Pak.
The heat from spicy food can release endorphins, making people feel good despite the pain.
The Caesar salad was created by an Italian-American restaurateur in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920s.