Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. True fruits are developed from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of the plant (though cultivated forms may be seedless). In 1887, U.S. tariff laws imposed a duty on vegetables, but not on fruits. This meant the status of tomatoes become … Read more
The orange is the fruit of the citrus species Citrus × sinensis in the family Rutaceae. The fruit of the Citrus sinensis is considered a sweet orange, whereas the fruit of the Citrus aurantium is considered a bitter orange. Oranges are one of the most popular fruits around the world. They have a brightly colored … Read more
The olive is a fruit, not a vegetable. Can be green, purple, dark brown, black, and even pink color. Olive tree originates from the coast of Mediterranean sea and western Asia. Olive tree can reach 8 – 15 meters (26 – 49 feet) in height. Crown is well branched and rounded in shape. Olive tree … Read more
The history of the roast duck can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, which is about 600 years ago. Cooks from all over China traveled to the Forbidden City and wanted to cook for the Emperor because only the best chefs could enter the palace kitchens. It was in these kitchens where dishes of … Read more
Couscous is a berber traditional North African dish of semolina which is cooked by steaming. It is traditionally served with a meat or vegetable stew spooned over it. One of the first written references is from an anonymous 13th-century North African cookbook, “The cookbook of the Maghreb and Al-Andalus”, with a recipe for couscous that … Read more
Garlic is a type of bulbous plant that belongs to the family of lilies. This plant originates from central Asia. There are more than 450 varieties of garlic. Garlic was one of the first herbs to be cultivated. Cultivation of garlic started about 4000 years ago. First ancient civilization that truly incorporated garlic into their diet … Read more
Melon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its closest relatives are squashes and cucumbers. Melons originate from Africa and southwestern parts of Asia. After they become widely spread and popular in Europe, melons were introduced to America by the Spanish settlers during the 15th and 16th century. Melon is annual plant, which means that … Read more
Grapes are botanically classed as berries. Grapes appear in many colors. White, red, black, blue, green, purple and golden. There are 60 species and around 8000 varieties of grapes that can be found throughout the world today. The two main types of grapes are European and American. They come in seedless and seeded varieties. American … Read more
Pear is a type of deciduous tree that belongs to family of roses. The European pear originated in Southeast Asia and was first cultivated in Europe about 1000 B.C. Asian pears were cultivated in China as early as 1134 B.C. Pears are native to Asia and Europe. The first pear tree was planted in the … Read more