Did you know that references to yogurt and health date all the way back to 6000 BCE? Or that before its dramatic rise in popularity, kale was more often used as a garnish?
What makes food so enjoyable—beyond the flavors, textures, and variety it brings to everyday life—is that each one has some unique story behind it; from where it was first cultivated, to how it’s been used and adapted for changing tastes and preferences from one decade to the next. Of course, there’s also the relationship between food and health, though we know it’s more important to focus on an overall healthy eating pattern, rather than a few magic-bullet “superfoods.”
Indeed, these food features aren’t about promoting any individual foods, but an opportunity to explore a bit of the history and research behind them, along with some practical tips for when you’re shopping and cooking. Take a look!
Although native to the Mediterranean region, 80% of the world’s almond supply is now grown in California. Learn more about this popular tree nut.
Does eating an apple every day really keep the doctor away? Learn about apples and health, and the best types for cooking versus munching.
Explore about the wide variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms originating in bodies of water, including finfish, crustaceans, cephalopods, mollusks, seaweed, and more.
Avocados or “alligator pears” are known for their creamy smooth flesh and bumpy skin. Learn more about this popular food found throughout many cultures.
Some people consider this iconic golden fruit a healthy choice while others avoid it, after seeing it on Internet lists of “Worst Foods.” Clearing up confusion surrounding bananas.
Learn all about Brussels sprouts—their history, nutrient profile, as well as tips on how to prepare and cook them.
Countries around the world have experimented with cheese-making, varying the types of milk, how long the cheese is allowed to age and ripen, and using different additives like salt or acid to produce unique textures and flavors.
Ch-ch-ch-chia! These versatile seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica L., and are a complete plant-based protein.
Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, learn more about these versatile legumes which are a staple of diets worldwide.
Coconut oil is made by pressing fresh coconut meat or dried coconut meat called copra. An overview of the research and culinary uses for this tropical oil.
Coffee lovers around the world who reach for their morning brew probably aren’t thinking about its health benefits or risks. And yet this beverage has been subject to a long history of debate.
Learn all about dark chocolate—from its Mayan origins in 2000 BCE, to the potential heart health benefits from its flavanol-rich cocoa solids.
“Are eggs healthy?” is a frequently-asked nutrition question. Get an overview on eggs and health, along with some purchasing and preparation tips.
Who knew a vegetable could be so cool? Learn more about the history and research behind this popular leafy green, as well as recipes and cooking tips.
Lentils are one of the earliest domesticated crops, seen in the diets of ancient Rome and Egypt. Learn more about this staple legume.
Research on milk and health often produces contrary findings. Some reasons may be the wide range of different nutritional qualities in milk and how milk intake is measured. Learn more about this popular beverage.
There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms, with different colors, shapes, sizes, and tastes. Learn more about these umami-packed fungi.
Oats are available in a variety of forms, based on their processing. Learn about the different types, oats and health, and how to cook with them.
Often eaten like a whole grain, quinoa is actually an edible seed and a complete protein. Learn more about this unique pseudo-grain.
Did you know there are over 40,000 varieties of rice? Learn more about this global staple grain.
Seaweed may bring to mind the slippery plants that curl around your toes when walking in the ocean, while less recognized as an aquatic food on your dinner plate. But “seaweed” (the common name for countless species of marine plants and algae) has been consumed globally for centuries.
True to their name, sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet flavor, which is further enhanced through cooking methods like roasting.
Tea is the simple preparation of pouring hot water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The flavor of tea varies by where the tea leaves are harvested and how they are grown and processed. Learn more about this popular global beverage.
Not many foods play the role of both a prized cooking ingredient and household cleaner. Check out this feature on vinegar in its many varieties.
There are many options for what to drink, but water is the best choice for most people who have access to safe drinking water. It is calorie-free and as easy to find as the nearest tap. Learn more about water and health, and fun flavoring ideas to help you hydrate.
Along with being uniquely beautiful in a variety of colors and shapes, the firm flesh of winter squash is ideal for soups and other warming dishes.
Did you know that references to yogurt and health date back to 6000 BCE? Learn about the history and current research surrounding this fermented food.
Check back often as new food features are regularly added.
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