Despite checking out food packets and really keeping a close eye on what you consume, there is a large chance that you may not know about these interesting food facts. Here are 7 crazy food facts that you may find hard to swallow.
SUGAR CRAVINGS: WE’RE BORN THAT WAY
The next time your sweet tooth makes you run for the cookie jar, don’t blame lack of willpower. Turns out we’re actually hardwired to crave sugar. Infants around the world have been found to like sweet stuff, Researchers speculate it may happen during development to ensure babies will accept sweet mother’s milk and fruits.
WHERE DID POUND CAKE GET ITS NAME?
One more sweet fact for you. Did you ever wonder how pound cake got its name? People historically measured recipes by weight, not in cups like we do now. The decadent desert originally contained a pound each of its main ingredients: flour, sugar, butter and eggs. Not exactly light, but oh-so-good.
MOST EXPENSIVE FRUIT
If fruit is what tickles your fancy, but you think prices have gotten out of control, ponder this: a 17-pound Japanese watermelon once sold for over $6,000. However, the melons typically sell between$200-$300. That isn’t the biggest take for edibles, though. A pair of Japanese “Yubari cantaloupes once fetched over 23-thousand. Additionally, the Japanese really like their fruit!
IT WOULD TAKE TWENTY YEARS TO TRY EVERY TYPE OF APPLE
Did you know there are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown throughout the world? If you tried one type every day, it would take twenty years to try them all.
EVEN OR ODD: EVERY EAR OF CORN IS THE SAME
We’re coming into corn season. However, did you know corn always contains an even number of rows? Take a look next time you munch on the summer staple. In case you’re wondering, a typical ear contains about 800 kernels.
WHERE DID SPAM GET ITS NAME?
On to ‘meatier’ topics, have you ever thought about what Spam stands for? No, not the email kind, the sort-of-meat-like product kind. According to the Hormel Foods website, it’s a closely guarded secret. Some speculate it is short for ‘spiced ham.’ others say it started out meaning ‘shoulders of pork and ham.’ Apparently, the real answer is only known to a small group of company insiders. Either way, it’s mysterious stuff, don’t you think? Although, with billions of cans sold, and it being a staple in Hawaii and other parts of the world, who are we to argue?
WHY WE NEED SALIVA
No matter what you eat, make sure it makes your mouth water. Humans can’t taste food without saliva. Who knew?! Furthermore, experts say it has to do with the receptors in your taste buds. Additionally, liquid is needed to help the food particles bind to the receptors. Technically, water would work, too, but saliva contains enzymes that work on sugar and carbohydrates. Without the spit sweets and starches may taste different from what you expect.
Now, that’s food for thought!
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