Impress your friends and family at your next dinner party with some of the most bizarre and fascinating food facts that you probably never knew! Keep scrolling to read more.
Shine bright like a…peanut?
You can make diamonds from peanut butter. Yes, you did read that right. Scientists at the Bayerisches Geoinstitut in Germany have discovered that peanut butter, since it’s so rich in carbon, can be turned into diamonds. All you need to do is extract the oxygen from the carbon dioxide in the spread, and then enact immense pressure on the residual carbon. We would not recommend, however, attempting a wedding proposal with a jar of Sun Pat.
White lies
Masquerading the entire time under the guise of chocolate, white chocolate doesn’t actually contain any chocolate compounds and is actually made up of a blend of sugar, milk products, vanilla, lecithin and cocoa butter.
Child’s play
A child invented the popsicle. By mistake. In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson from San Francisco Bay accidentally left a cup of soda pop and water outside overnight. This mixture froze and, hey-presto, a new summertime treat was born! He named this new delicacy the ‘Epsicle’ and began to sell it across San Francisco that summer. When he got older, his grandchildren referred to this treat as “Pop’s ‘Sicle” which over time developed to popsicle.
Better than money
According to the International Cocoa Organisation, the Aztecs traded using cocoa beans, and could even pay their taxes with it! This is a tempting idea today, however we fear you may get a few funny looks handing over a bar of Galaxy to pay for your MOT.
The deadly tomato
Nicknamed ‘The Poison Apple’ in 18th century Europe, many aristocrats would get sick and sometimes even die after eating tomatoes, therefore they were deemed to be poisonous. The real problem, however, was the fact that they were being eaten from pewter plates. The acidity in the tomatoes would cause lead to leach out from the dishes, and therefore result in lead poisoning.
You’re off your nut-meg
It’s a staple of Christmas cooking, but four or more teaspoons of nutmeg can cause mild hallucinations and your limbs to warm without warning!
Eating water
Cucumbers are made up of 96% water, making them one of the most hydrating foods on the planet. Containing calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium and sodium, cucumbers are actually a great choice when searching for a hangover cure.
Not so nutty
Although considered a nut, almonds are actually flower seeds that are directly related to the botanical families of orchids and roses.
Can you bee-lieve?
Honey is the only food product with an ‘eternal’ shelf life. It never rots, and can last up to 3000 years in storage.
Would it kale you try it?
Kale is the most nutritiously dense vegetable out there. Just 130g contains only 33 calories, yet packs in 684% RDA of Vitamin K, 134% of Vitamin C and 206% of Vitamin A. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it also contains iron, folate, omega-3s, magnesium, calcium, iron, fibre, and two grams of protein. Truly a super veg!
