Not only are these delicious berries packed with nutrition, but there is also so much to learn about their history and cultivation. In this blog post, we’ll share with you so many interesting facts about cranberries to keep your kids entertained. We’re certain that these fun pieces of trivia will leave you with a newfound appreciation for this vibrant berry!

1. Cranberries are botanically classified as true berries, unlike strawberries

The botanical classification of fruits sometimes differs from their culinary or common classification, most commonly in berries. However, cranberries are an exception to this fact as they’re botanically classified as true berries, unlike strawberries and raspberries.

2. The term “cranberry” is derived from “craneberry”

Cranberry is such a pretty name for a fruit, don’t you think? However, these berries weren’t always called that. In the early 1600s, Dutch and German traders called them craneberries, and there’s an intriguing reason behind this.

During the spring, pink blossoms appear on cranberry plants which resemble the head and bill of a crane, resulting in the berries being named craneberries.

Over time, the name of these berries was shortened to cranberry, which rolls off the tongue much more easily.

3. Cranberries were domesticated in the early 1800s

The domestication of cranberries is a very recent development; it happened less than 200 years ago. Before that, these berries were only found in the wild in North America.

Henry Hall, an American Revolutionary War veteran, was the first to cultivate cranberries in 1816 in the Cape Cod town of Dennis, Massachusetts. By the 1820s, he was shipping his cranberries to New York City, Boston, and even Europe!

4. There are more than 100 commercial varieties of Cranberries in North America

If you’ve ever been to a cranberry market, you must’ve noticed how they’ve separated these berries according to their varieties. Even though they all look more or less the same, there are about 100 commercial varieties of cranberries!

5. Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America

Only three to four fruits we commonly consume today have truly originated from North America, cranberries being one of them. These tart berries are found along the northern United States from Maine to Wisconsin.

6. The United States is the leading producer of cranberries in the world

As cranberries are native to North America, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the United States is the largest producer of cranberries worldwide. The country produces nearly 400,000 tonnes of cranberries every year!

Canada and Chile are the second and third largest cranberry-producing countries, but their combined production volume is slightly more than half of the USA’s production!

7. Wisconsin is the largest cranberry-producing state in the US

Wisconsin produces the most cranberries in the US, followed by Massachusetts. However, Massachusetts’s production is nowhere near close to Wisconsin’s.

Wisconsin produced a whopping 4.64 million barrels of cranberries, blowing Massachusetts’s 2.05 million barrels straight out of the water! These berries are also grown in large amounts in New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington.

8. Cranberries are the state fruit of Wisconsin

Since Wisconsin is the largest cranberry-producing state, it makes sense for cranberries to be the official state fruit there.
Still, the fruit part doesn’t really make sense, does it?

Even though cranberries are botanically classified as berries, they are often called fruits in general English, which is the reason behind this mix-up.

9. Cranberries are the state berry of Massachusetts

The history between cranberries and Massachusetts is one of pride and love, which is why cranberries were declared the official state berry of Massachusetts.

If you remember, these berries were also cultivated for the first time in Massachusetts! Even today, the state grows an excellent crop of cranberries, with 14,000 acres in production.

10. Only 5% of the worldwide Cranberry production is sold fresh

Although cranberries benefit our health, most people cannot look past their tart flavor, which is why processed cranberries are the preferable choice in markets.

Only 5% of the worldwide cranberry production makes it to picnic baskets, dining tables, and lunch boxes. The rest 95% is processed and turned into sauces, jams, and juices. A good percentage of cranberries are also dried and sweetened to be used in pies and as snacks.

11. During World War II, the American troops required a million pounds of dried cranberries each year

If you don’t like eating cranberries solely because of their taste, this fact might help you. During the second world war, the American troops consumed around one million pounds of dried cranberries every year. The soldiers realized that despite their taste, these little berries have numerous health benefits, and so should you!

12. Cranberries are classified as a superfood

Foods that offer maximum nutritional benefits with minimum calories are referred to as superfoods. When consumed regularly on a moderately healthy diet, these foods help prevent several serious health problems, including heart diseases.

The high amount of flavonoids present in berries, including cranberries, is known to lower the risk of heart attacks.

13. Cranberries are only in season from October to December

Although you can usually find dried berries and processed cranberry products in markets all year round, fresh berries are only available for a few precious months. After mid-January, there’s little chance of you finding fresh cranberries locally.

14. Cranberries do not grow in water!

It’s a common misconception that cranberries grow in water. One of the main reasons behind this is the Ocean Spray commercials which generally feature two employees knee-deep in water with floating cranberries around them.

However, cranberries actually grow on vines in bogs (wetlands rich in acidic, organic, or sandy soil with a peat or clay base). When ready to be harvested, those bogs are filled with water, which makes it seem like these berries are grown in water.

15. Harvesting cranberry is a tedious task

There are two methods of cranberry harvesting: the dry method and the wet method. Almost 90% of cranberries are harvested using the wet method.

Cranberries have four air pockets which allow them to float on water. In the wet method, when these berries are ripe for harvest, the berries are cut from their vines, and the bogs are flooded with water. Farmers then corral them towards a giant elevator that loads them on trucks using suction.

The dry method sounds exactly like it is. Instead of flooding the bogs, farmers hand-pick the berries. This method is less efficient but prevents the berries from being damaged. Dry-harvested berries are used for fresh consumption.

16. Seven out of ten cranberries come from Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray is an American agricultural cooperative consisting of cranberry farmers. It is headquartered in (surprise, surprise) Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It currently has 700 member farmers.

Ocean Spray is such a large-scale cooperative that seven out of ten cranberries sold worldwide today come from its members’ farms!

17. Cranberries are a storehouse of antioxidants

Cranberries contain the highest levels of phenols, a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of several diseases, especially heart problems. They might also lower the LDL or bad cholesterol levels in your body.

18. Cranberries are 90% water!

Did you know that those tiny cranberries are made up of almost 90% water? It’s true!

Besides water, cranberries primarily contain carbs and fiber. They are the perfect munching snacks for you as they’re healthy and hydrating. That is if you can stomach the tart, mildly sweet flavor.

You can also get sweeter varieties in the market that have been genetically engineered. However, remember that those sweet cranberries might be expensive, so don’t buy them without your parent’s permission.

19. Cranberry juice might prevent UTIs

Besides their high water and antioxidant content, cranberries have several health benefits.

Drinking cranberry juice regularly might reduce the risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in children and adults, according to a few scientific studies.

However, processing can affect the efficiency of the UTI-preventing phytonutrients in cranberries, so it’s best to rely on fresh juice or supplements.

20. Cranberry juice contains a chemical that prevents tooth decay

Cranberry juice has a natural chemical that prevents cavity-causing bacteria and pathogens from sticking to the teeth. So, if you drink cranberry juice three to four times a week, your dentist will be really pleased with you.

However, this is no excuse for you to eat dessert after dinner every day!

21. The seeds of cranberries are both edible and nutritious

Cranberry seeds are located inside the berries, unlike those in strawberries which are visible from the outside.

Cranberry seeds are perfectly safe for human consumption; they’re even really beneficial for our health! Although the seeds are a little hard to crack and have a bitter taste, they’re rich in antioxidants and fiber, so fair trade, right?

If the taste is a deal-breaker for you, you can grind these seeds up and add them to smoothies to eliminate their flavor.

22. Cranberries are used to flavor wine!

The tart tang of cranberries is perfect for flavoring wines that are generally acquired tastes. However, since these berries don’t undergo fermentation like grapes, they cannot be used in the traditional winemaking process.

23. Cranberries can also be used as a fabric dye

If you’ve ever spilled cranberry juice or a cranberry pie filling on your clothes, you know how hard it is for your mother to get the stain out. But have you ever wondered if cranberries could be used to dye clothes?

The answer is yes; they can. Although it isn’t the most suitable fabric dye, cranberries can certainly dye clothes. You can even try it out yourself! However, don’t forget to get an adult’s supervision and help before turning on the stove.

To make cranberry dye, combine two cups of cranberries with one quart of water in a pot. Let it simmer for about fifteen minutes. Then, crush the berries with a wooden spatula and simmer for another fifteen minutes.

Your cranberry dye is ready. Strain the mixture and save the berries for another recipe!

24. Benjamin Franklin loved cranberries

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was a fan of cranberries, especially cranberry tarts.

When living in England in the mid-1700s, he’d often get homesick for his favorite snacks and ask his wife Deborah to ship barrels of cranberries to him! He also asked for the same of her while living in France from 1776 to 1778.

25. November 23 is celebrated as National Eat A Cranberry Day!

If you’re a cranberry enthusiast or this article piqued your interest in cranberries, we have great news for you.

November 22 is celebrated as National Eat A Cranberry Day every year! Cranberry lovers from around the world prepare delicious desserts with these berries to celebrate them.

People also come together on online forums about cranberries to discuss the significance of these berries and exchange never-heard-before facts. Join in if you don’t want to miss out on all the fun!

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From understanding the history of Onions to learning why they make you cry when you cut them, we’ve gathered below plenty of fascinating facts about onions that your kids will find both informative and entertaining. We hope these facts about onions help kids understand why this crunchy vegetable is an essential part of many different cuisines – and why it deserves a spot in gardens, grocery stores, pantries…and our hearts!

Let’s get started!

1. Onions have been cultivated in China since 5,000 BC!

Although the origins of Onions have not been well-traced yet, the earliest evidence of their use dates as far back as 5,000 BC. Historians suggest that the Chinese have been cultivating onions since the Bronze Age.

2. Onions occur in 3 different colors

Because the Allium genus ranks among the largest plant genera in the world, there are bound to be diverse onion varieties cultivated in different parts of the world.

To make their distinction easier, they are divided into three broad categories based on their color: Yellow, White, and Red Onions. Of all three, yellow onions are grown most commonly and account for roughly 75% of global onion production.

3. Onions are the second most popular vegetable used globally!

Did you know that onions are placed second on the list of the most popular vegetables used in the world? Yes, that’s right.

Placed right after tomatoes, these vegetables are grown in almost every part of the world and can be consumed raw, roasted, grilled, deep-fried, pickled, and caramelized. They’re consumed equally widely, with their global production touching 93 metric tonnes every year!

4. Water makes up for over 80% of an Onion’s mass

Onions appear to be tough, fleshy vegetables, don’t they? Would you ever have guessed that over 80% of their mass is made up of water? We’re not lying!

According to the data provided by the USDA, water accounts for 89 grams of mass in 100 grams of onion.

5. Native Americans used onions for dyeing clothes

We’re all familiar with onions’ widespread culinary use, but did you know that they can also be used as a dye? We’re not talking about all onions but just the red ones, whose peels are rich in tannin and can, thus, be used as a natural dye.

Using onion skin as a dye will give your clothes a brownish-red wash.

6. Onions are toxic to your pets!

We understand why you love onions, but just because they’re your favorite doesn’t mean you can share them with your furry companions. In fact, you must ensure that they don’t even come near these veggies.

Wondering why? Well, it’s because onions are toxic to most animals, especially the ones that are kept as pets (dogs, cats, horses, cattle).

Onions contain a compound named N-propyl disulfide, a compound that causes oxidative damage to your pet’s red blood cells, often leading to Anemia. Therefore, if your pet ever finds and eats an onion even by themselves, you must rush with them to the vet immediately!

7. Chopping onions makes you cry due to Sulfenic acid!

It is common knowledge that chopping onions make people cry, but have you ever wondered why? When an onion’s skin is broken, it releases sulfenic acid and enzymes, which then combine to produce propanethiol S-oxide. It is an irritant gas that generates tears upon touching our eyes. So, now you know why chopping onion is a teary task!

8. Scallions and Spring Onions are not as different as you might think

There is a lot of confusion between Scallions and Spring Onions in the culinary world. These vegetables are both members of the same Allium family and have similar appearances as well. So, how are they different?

Well, just like spring onions are the immature form of regular onions, scallions are the younger form of spring onions. In other words, scallions grow into spring onions, which later grow into fully mature, regular onions.

If you want to distinguish between the two in terms of appearance, just keep in mind that scallions are spring onions without bulbs.

9. Onions were used as a currency in medieval Europe!

Can you imagine onions being used in place of money? While such a thing is difficult to imagine for you right now, in the Middle Ages, times were very different.

The period between the 15th-16th century was termed The Dark Age in Europe. During this time, the entire European population was dependent solely on three vegetables as major food sources: onions, cabbages, and beans. Out of these three, onions were most valuable due to both their culinary and medicinal uses.

Because of this reason, onions were used as currency in Europe, often exchanged for rent and given to newlyweds as wedding gifts. In Siberia, this practice continued for much longer, throughout the 18th century.

10. Onion juice can soothe mosquito bites

Did a mosquito bite you in sleep, and the affected area is now itchy? You can always run to the nearest drug store to get an ointment for it, but if you’re looking for a quick fix at home, try using onions!

When you slice an onion and rub one half on the bitten area, it will not only stop itching but also prevent inflammation.

11. Onion juice spray can keep pests away from your plants

Mosquitoes aren’t the only insects that run (or fly) away from onions. If you have a garden at home, it’s bound to attract all kinds of pests. And while some pests might be harmless, there are others, including caterpillars, that can munch away entire plants within days.

If you’re looking for a home remedy to keep your precious plants safe from such pesky pests, onion spray is the answer! The odor of onions is found to be strongly repulsive to most pests, which is why spraying them on your plants can make them pest-free.

Making onion spray is fairly simple. All you need to do is soak onion skin in a water container overnight, strain out the onions the next morning, and put the remaining water into a spray bottle. Your pest-repellant spray is ready!

12. You can use onions to clean your barbeque grills and ovens

Barbeque nights are undoubtedly fun, but if you’re the one organizing them, you’re going to worry about scrubbing the grill for hours the next morning. What if we told you onions could make your job much easier?

All you need to do is turn your grill on. As it begins to heat up, cut an onion in half and stick a long fork to it. Now, rub the cut half on the dirty grill grates. The increasing temperature will activate the onion’s natural fluids, and the acidity of its juice will loosen all dirt particles and grease from the surface.

The best thing about using onions? They’re completely organic, unlike the chemical cleaners you buy from stores, and are, therefore, safer.

13. Onion juice is an effective rust remover

Do you also have rusty knives stored at the back of your kitchen cabinet that you plan on throwing away someday? What if we told you they could be good as new in a few minutes?

Yes, you read that right. Onion juice works as an effective rust remover; rubbing the juice on rusted iron knives can work wonders.

But how does onion juice do it? Well, onion juice contains sulfenic acid, which reacts strongly with rust by breaking it down, making your knife clean, sharp, and usable again.

14. Onions can get rid of fresh paint’s smell

If you’ve ever moved into a freshly-painted home or gotten yours painted, you must know how nauseating paint fumes can be. With onions, you can get rid of these fumes safely and efficiently!

Wondering how onions can do that? Do you know how onions have quite a strong odor of their own? The compound that causes this smell, propanethiol, reacts strongly against aldehydes – which cause paint fumes – and subdues them. Just cut an onion in half and place it in the room where the paint smell is strongest. The onion will absorb the paint fumes and help to freshen the air.

15. Onion in socks was a popular traditional home remedy in the past

Onions can soothe mosquito bites, scare away pests, clean ovens, fight rust, and get rid of fresh paint odor; is there anything these vegetables can’t do? Well, if you were thinking they can’t cure fever, onions have proved you wrong once again!

In the ancient folk remedy, putting onions in one’s sock was believed to cure all infections overnight. This remedy had come into practice as early as the 1500s and is still used in some parts of the world. But how does it work? Here’s how:

Traditional eastern medicine believed the nerves of our feet to act as access points to our internal organs. When sliced onions were placed on one’s feet and enclosed with socks, the sulfuric acid present in them would infiltrate the body and fight the infection-causing bacteria, healing the victim overnight.

16. Serving the newlyweds onion soup is an age-old French custom

It’s an age-old custom in France to serve onion soups to the newlyweds the morning after their wedding night. The traditional reason behind this was that onions were believed to be an aphrodisiac remedy. Even the present, onion soups are an important addition to all French wedding menus.

17. The Egyptians saw onions as an object of worship

In the Egyptian civilization, onions held a very special place. To the Egyptians, the layered anatomy of these vegetables was considered symbolic of eternal life, which is why they buried their Pharaohs with onions.

Onions were not just included in their funeral offerings but were also offered to their gods. King Ramesses, the third king of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, was buried with onions placed on his eye sockets. Moreover, paintings of onions are also found on the inner walls of tombs and pyramids.

18. The Beatles released a song named after onions in 1968

We discussed above that onions are one of the most widely used vegetables in the world. But who would’ve thought these veggies would find their way into a song by The Beatles, which is considered the most influential rock band of all time?

In their 1968 album titled The White Album, the band recorded a song named Glass Onion, written by one of the band members, John Lennon.

Now, you might be curious about the lyrics of this song, but if you’re expecting it to be a tribute to these vegetables, you’re poorly mistaken. Although named after onions, this song had little to do with them.

After its release, Lennon revealed that the song’s lyrics had no meaning and were written that way to confuse the fans who read too much into the songs of The Beatles.

19. Pickled pearl onions are used in a Martini cocktail!

Pickled onions are widely consumed as a snack, but did you know that they could also be used in cocktails? Believe it or not, the Gibson cocktail, which is a famous martini-based cocktail invented in the 1900s, is garnished with pickled pearl onions.

20. Rubbing onions on glass can prevent frost formation

Frosted windscreens are one of the most painful problems one faces during winters. Cleaning the frost every morning before work can get really annoying really quickly, which is why we’re here to make your winter mornings easier.

If you cut an onion in half and rub it on your windscreen at night, you’ll wake up to a frost-free windscreen the next morning! Yes, we’re absolutely serious about it.

Are you wondering how this works? This is because when you rub onions on the windscreen, it leaves behind a layer of sugar on it. And since sugar boosts the melting process by breaking down the ice molecules, there’s no frost left by morning.

21. The myth of sliced onions being poisonous has no truth!

As a netizen, you might be familiar with the myth that had once spread like wildfire on the internet: sliced onions are a hotbed for bacteria and shouldn’t be consumed later.

This resulted in many people throwing away residual onions for fear of suffering from their toxicity. But when we asked an expert about it, here’s what we found out:

Onions have a low protein content and pH level, which makes them unsuitable for the breeding of viruses and bacteria. In fact, when sliced, these vegetables release compounds that have quite the opposite effect. Even the juice of onion is recognized for its ability to kill various kinds of microorganisms, including those that cause food poisoning in humans.

So, the next time you have some onions left over from dinner, you can store them in the refrigerator for tomorrow’s use without a second thought.

22. According to folklore, an onion’s skin could predict the gravity of winters

Are you a believer in omens and folklore? Then you might find this fact quite interesting.

According to ancient folklore, the outer peel of onions could predict the gravity of the upcoming winters. The thicker the skin of these veggies, the harsher the winter months would be.

There’s an Old English proverb that talks about it:

Onion’s skin very thin,
Mild winter coming in;
Onion’s skin thick and tough,
Coming winter cold and rough.

23. The heaviest onion in the world weighs over 18 pounds!

Many of you might already know this, but the weight of an average-sized onion is around 3 pounds. Now, take a wild guess how much would the largest onion in the world weigh. It’s more than 90 times the normal size!

Yes, you read that right. In September 2014, Tony Glover, a professional onion cultivator from North Yorkshire, UK, set the world record for growing the heaviest onion. This onion weighed 18 pounds and 11 ounces (8.5 kilograms), and was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

24. China is the leading onion-producing country in the world

Since China is the country where onions once originated, it makes sense that this Asian country still leads the world in terms of onion production. China is closely followed by India, Egypt, and the United States of America on the list.

25. Libya is the leading consumer of onions in the world

Considering how China, India, and Egypt are the largest onion producers, anyone would assume one of them to be its largest consumer as well. However, you’d be surprised to learn that none of these countries consume as many onions as Libya.

Libya, a North African country that hasn’t even made it to the list of top 10 onion-producing countries, is the largest onion consumer in the world, with an average per capita onion consumption of 66.8 pounds!

26. An average American eats 18 pounds of onions in a single year!

While the United States of America might rank fourth on the list of onion-producing countries, in terms of its consumption, it does quite well. The country’s per capita onion consumption, which is 19.9 pounds, is significantly higher than the global count, which lies at 13.6 pounds.

27. New York City is also called “The Big Onion”

Many of you might be familiar with how New York City came to be called The Big Apple, the nickname a sportswriter of the New York Morning Telegraph used for it in the papers. However, what you might not know is that another writer has given this city another food-based nickname in her work.

Patricia Schultz, the author of the bestselling travel book 1000 Places to See Before You Die, has called New York The Big Onion. Schultz has also explained this reference, stating how the city was like an onion in the sense that no matter how many peels one might remove, they’d never get to the core.

28. Georgia and Texas have declared onions as their state vegetable

For a vegetable that has such widespread usage (both inside and outside of the culinary world), it’s quite surprising how onions have not been named the national vegetable of any country in the world yet.

However, two states within the United States have managed to do what no country could. Georgia and Texas have both declared two separate onion varieties as their official state vegetable. It should come as no surprise that both states have chosen varieties developed within their borders.

Georgia’s state vegetable is Vidalia Onion, while Texas’s state vegetable is Texas Sweet Onion.

29. Georgia also celebrates Vidalia Onion Festival in April every year

We just learned about Vidalia Onions being the official state vegetable of Georgia. But did you know that there’s an elaborate festival celebrated to honor these onions as well?

First, you need to know that these onions have been named after the city of Vidalia in Georgia because it was in this city that they were first cultivated. It is in this very city that the Vidalia Onion Festival was first celebrated in 1978. The first celebration was so captivating that it became an annual celebration soon and is ongoing even today!

The festival is celebrated in spring every year, from the 22nd to the 24th of April, and includes concerts, elaborate handicraft fairs, airshows, carnivals, parades, and fireworks.

30. June 27th is celebrated as National Onion Day

Would you like to know how the concept of National Onion Day came into existence?

It all started in 1913 when a group of five onion cultivators of Ohio came together to form the National Onion Association (NOA) to promote the onion cultivation industry in the United States.

In 2019, the NOA founded National Onion Day on June 27th to honor these vegetables as well as their foundation on their 106th anniversary. From that day onwards, this day is used to celebrate the spirit of onions, one of the most versatile members of the culinary world.

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With a little help from these facts, parents will be able to encourage curiosity while simultaneously piquing their child’s interest in all that healthy eating entails.  So, let’s get started!

1. The wild ancestors of cabbages were first found in Britain and Europe

Despite the long history of cabbage’s widespread use, historians have still not been able to trace its origins. The closest they’ve come to it is a wild species of Brassica orelacea that originated in continental Europe and Britain.

They believe this wild species to be the ancestor of the domesticated cabbages we eat today, although there’s little evidence to support the claim.

2. There are over 400 different varieties of cabbage in the world

Cabbages are diverse vegetables that come in a variety of colors and textures. Some of them are tight-leaved, while others are loosely packed; besides green, they can also occur in white, red, and purple colors.

This might come as a surprise to some of you, but over 400 different varieties of cabbage are grown around the world, which are roughly divided into 5 groups: Green, Red, White, Savoy, and Spring Greens.

3. Cabbages were first brought to America in the 16th century

While cabbages have been around for quite a long time, it wasn’t until the 16th century that they found their way, or rather were brought into, America. Jacques Cartier, a French maritime explorer, brought the first cabbage to America in 1542.

At that time, only the early English colonists were known to grow it. However, by the 18th century, the cultivation of these vegetables was common to both the English and the Native Americans.

4. Brussels sprouts might appear like baby cabbages but aren’t

Don’t you think brussels sprouts look just like cute little cabbages? Everything from their color to their rounded, leafy structure reflects cabbages, so much so that many call them baby cabbages. But are they an immature form of cabbages? No.

While brussels sprouts do come from the same plant as cabbages, the two are not the same. Brussels sprouts grow in large clusters on a thick, fibrous stem, while cabbages form large heads much closer to the ground.

Therefore, no matter how long you leave a brussel sprout on its stalk, it will never grow into a cabbage.

5. Savoy Cabbages, although named after a French region, were first developed in Germany

Savoy Cabbages are a cabbage cultivar variety with thick, crinkled leaves that are emerald green in color. Do you know how these cabbages have been named? They’ve been named after the Savoy region of France.

Now, we’re certain this might make you think that this variety was first cultivated in that region of the country. But you’d be wrong to think so.

Strangely enough, Savoy, or even France, was not the originating place of Savoy Cabbages. In fact, they were first developed by German gardeners in the 16th century.

6. Cabbages were first called “Caboches” in 14th-century England

It was in the 14th century that round-headed cabbages first appeared in England. And do you know what the people of the country called these vegetables back then? They called them Caboches or Cabaches, terms derived from the Old French language, which, when translated to English, meant a ball of unopened leaves.

7. Eating cabbages before wine was a common practice in Ancient Egypt

Let’s tell you about a practice of Ancient Egypt that might sound strange to you:

There was a time when the Egyptians believed that eating cabbage before wine could help keep the intoxicating effect of wine at bay. For this reason, they often included cooked cabbages in the meals prepared for large gatherings, where people were to drink wine later.

You can find mentions of this traditional practice in many works of European Literature written before the 20th century.

8. Cabbages can do wonders for your skin, nails, and hair

While you must already know which minerals and vitamins cabbages are rich in, we’re certain you wouldn’t know that these veggies also contain sulforaphane. But what is sulforaphane? Well, it’s a compound that, when ingested, can promote the production of keratin in your body.

And because keratin is the protein that plays a key role in the formation of your skin, nails, and hair, a cabbage-rich diet is bound to make your hair and nails stronger and your skin softer.

9. Bok Choy is a cabbage variety that doesn’t taste like cabbage!

A staple in Asian cuisine, Bok Choy is a Chinese cabbage variety that doesn’t have the typical round, bulb-like structure but instead grows in a cluster of large, oval-shaped leaves connected with thick white stems at the bottom.

While the white parts of this Chinese cabbage variety do have a mild cabbage-like flavor, the taste of its leaves has more in common with spinach than cabbages. However, they lack the bitterness of spinach.

10. People with Thyroid shouldn’t eat cabbages!

Is someone in your family who suffers from Thyroid? If yes, then you must make sure they stay from cabbages at all costs.

This is because cabbages, along with other cruciferous vegetables, are goitrogenic in nature. It means that they can interfere with the production of their thyroid hormones and can worsen their hyperthyroidism.

11. Eating too many cabbages can lead to bloating and flatulence

If you’ve ever eaten too many cabbages too frequently, have you noticed how it makes you flatulent later on?

This is because cabbages contain trisaccharide raffinose, a sugar that our small intestines cannot digest and, therefore, remains undigested until the bacteria of the large intestine ferments it. The delayed digestion, in turn, produces gas and can even lead to bloating.

12. Flowering Cabbages are grown solely for ornamental purposes

The Cruciferous family has given us many vegetables that enrich our diet and benefit our health. But did you know not all plants of this family are edible?

Some cabbage varieties do not produce closed vegetable heads at all but open, flower-like growths with large green leaves in the outer layer and white, red, and pink leaves on the inside. These plants are inedible and are grown solely for ornamental purposes.

13. Cabbages have two moths named after them!

Did you know that there is not one but moths out there that have been named after cabbages? Yes, you read that right!

The Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) and the Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni) are two moths that have been named after these vegetables. Wondering why? Well, it’s because cabbage plants, as well as other members of the cruciferous family, are the main hosts of both these insects.

14. The heaviest cabbage in the world weighs over 130 pounds!

The Guinness Book of World Records has several entries in the Cabbage category, but we’ve decided to share with you the two most important ones: the heaviest green and red cabbages. Let’s start with the bigger one first!

You’d be happy to find that the heaviest cabbage ever grown in the world was cultivated in the United States itself! This cabbage was grown in Alaska by Scott A. Robb, the man who also holds the world record for growing the heaviest turnip.

Robb grew this cabbage in August 2012 and presented it at the Alaska State Fair. The cabbage weighed 138 pounds and 25 ounces (62.7 kilograms), which is more than 90 times the weight of an average-sized cabbage!

Next is the world record for the heaviest red cabbage ever grown. And while it’s roughly half the weight of the heaviest green cabbage, among the average-sized cabbages, it’s still phenomenal.

This cabbage was grown by Neil Hands of Nottinghamshire, UK, in September 2020. Hands presented the cabbage in The Grow Show, a traveling showcase of gardening. The cabbage was of the Langedijk variety and weighed 69 pounds and 10 ounces!

15. Babe Ruth used to wear a cabbage leaf under his cap during matches!

Babe Ruth, the world-renowned baseball player from America, had a special cabbage tradition he followed in his matches. This might sound strange to you, but the player wore a cabbage leaf under his cap during all his matches, changing it between the innings.

When asked about this peculiar habit, Ruth replied that it helped him keep his cool amidst the heat of the match.

16. China is the leading cabbage-producing country in the world

While cabbages might have originated in Europe, a majority of their production takes place in Asia, with China taking the lead as the largest cabbage-producing country in the world.

The country produces about 33 million tonnes of cabbages annually, accounting for 48% of the total global cabbage production worldwide. China is closely followed by India, Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine on the list.

17. California is the leading cabbage-producing state in the United States

We just learned about the top 5 cabbage-producing countries of the world. Does it make you wonder which states of our country are included on the top 5 cabbage producers’ list? Here’s your answer.

California is the leading cabbage-producing state in the United States and is closely followed by Wisconsin, New York City, Florida, and Texas. Together, these states account for 78% of the country’s cabbage production.

18. Russia has the highest cabbage per capita consumption in the world

While China leads the world in the production of cabbages, when it comes to the consumption of these veggies, no country can beat Russia. The leading consumer of cabbages in the world, Russia’s per capita consumption of cabbages is 44 pounds!

19. Shchi, a national Russian cuisine, is a cabbage-based dish

Since Russia consumes the most cabbage in the world, it’s no surprise that the country’s national cuisine uses this vegetable as its main ingredient.

Shchi, a Russian-style cabbage soup, is quite popular throughout the country. It is traditionally made with fresh cabbages, meat, flour, mushroom, and spices. When Sauerkraut is used in the soup in place of fresh cabbages, the resulting soup is called Sour Shchi.

The very name of this soup is derived from an Old East Slavic term, which roughly translates to a satisfying feed in English. Shchi has been a staple food for the Russians since the 10th century.

20. Coleslaw is the most popular cabbage salad in the world!

Although Shchi is a popular Russian dish, many of you might not even have heard of it. Let’s tell you about another cabbage-based side dish that’s popular throughout the world:

Coleslaw is a popular side dish that consists of finely-shredded raw cabbages mixed with condiments or salad dressings. It gets its name from the Dutch term Koolsla, which translates to cabbage salad in English.

While raw cabbages remain a consistent ingredient in this dish, other ingredients vary widely in different parts of the world. In the United States, it is often made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, and carrots.

21. Sauekrat has saved countless sailors’ lives on voyages!

While we’re talking about popular cabbage-based dishes around the world, how could we forget the one that saved the lives of millions of sailors in the Early Modern Period (1500-1800)?

We’re talking about Sauerkraut, which is another cabbage dish made by fermenting freshly-chopped cabbages in lactobacillales. But how did Sauerkraut save lives, you ask?

Well, between the 16th and 18th centuries, when long-distance voyages played a key role in the exploration of new lands and transportation of goods, most sailors suffered from Scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency disease. It was difficult to combat because any fresh source of this vitamin they’d carry aboard wouldn’t last as long as their sails.

Then, Captain James Cook experimented with carrying Sauerkraut on voyages, only to find out later that no deaths were reported on that voyage. Ever since the revelation came to light, Sauerkraut became a must-have on every ship traveling long distances in the sea.

22. February 17th is celebrated as National Cabbage Day in US

National Cabbage Day is celebrated on February 17th every year to celebrate the simplicity and versatility of cabbages! There are a number of different ways that people can celebrate National Cabbage Day. One way is to cook up a big pot of cabbage soup or cabbage stew. Another way is to make a cabbage slaw or a cabbage salad. And, of course, one can always just enjoy eating raw cabbage as a healthy snack.

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From their scientific name to their unique health benefits, pears certainly have a lot going on under their smooth skin. Plus, you’ll have plenty of fun trivia questions for future family game nights! So whether you’re hoping to surprise your kids with a scientific fact about pears or simply share some intel among friends, these 25 pear facts will come in handy.

Read on to be amazed!

1. Pears have originated from Southeastern Europe

Pears were a snack-time favorite of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Originating in Southeastern Europe, these juicy fruits were all the hype back in the 7th century.

In fact, the famous ancient Greek author Homer, best known for The Odyssey, even went as far as to call them the gift of the gods. Thousands of years later, even though we aren’t all fans of The Odyssey, we still agree with Homer on this.

2. Pears belong to the Rose family!

Even though pears and roses don’t look like they’re related in any way, they both belong to the Rosaceae family!
Pears are related to apples, quince, and loquats. They are members of the rose family, along with almonds, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and strawberries.

3. There are two distinct groups of pears

Although there are many varieties of pears, they can be classified into two categories on the basis of their region of origin: Asian (Oriental) Pears and European (Occidental) Pears.

The Oriental Pears are primarily grown in China and Japan, while Italy and Spain contribute the most Occidental Pears.

On the other hand, the European Pears are the ones that generally come to mind when we hear the word pear: smooth-skinned and curvy with a round bottom and slightly elongated top. Asian Pears are somewhat different, with an apple-like structure and relatively rough skin.

4. There are around 3,000 cultivars of pears

The Asian (Oriental) Pears and the European (Occidental) Pears are further divided into about 3,000 cultivars, each modified to better suit our needs and wants.

Anjou and Bosc Pears are the most commonly consumed varieties; the pears on your dining table are probably Bosc Pears.

5. Pears are one of the oldest cultivated fruits

Since pears have been around for so long, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are one of the oldest fruits cultivated by humans. The first official mention of pear cultivation in history goes back to 5,000 BC. A Chinese diplomat, Feng Li, gave up his powerful position to pursue full-time commercial pear cultivation.

6. China is the largest pear-producing country in the world

Since the cultivation of Oriental Pears began in China, it’s only fair that the country should produce the highest number of pears worldwide, right?

China produced about 16.5 million metric tons of pear in the year 2020! Italy and United States are second and third among the largest pear-producing countries list, but their combined production is less than China’s.

7. Pears have great cultural significance among the Chinese

Fruits were our companions long before we could even talk or walk. Their influence is so strong that some fruits have significance in religions and cultures around the world.

For example, pears symbolize immortality in Chinese culture and are a very common gift at family shrines. This symbolism is even depicted in Chinese art and literature from more than a thousand years ago!

8. Washington is the largest pear-producing state in the United States

Six main states in the United States produce almost the entirety of the country’s global pear contribution: Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, California, and Michigan.

The largest pear-producing state in the United States is Washington, with almost 300,000 million tons of pears to its name!

9. “Kelseyville” is the Pear Capital of the world!

Also called Pear-adise in Lake County, Kelseyville was dubbed the Pear Capital of the World by USA Today.
The town hosts an annual Kelseyville Pear Festival, with several activities like Wine and Beer, Family Fun, Community Event, Live Music, and much more!

The festival is held on the last Saturday of every September, in case you’d like to join in this year.

10. The heaviest pear in the world weighs over 6 pounds!

If you were to guess, how much would you say the average pear weighs? The answer is approximately 6 ounces. Was your guess close?

Well, even if it was, you’d never be able to guess how heavy the heaviest pear in the world is: 6 pounds and 8 ounces (2.94 kilograms). That’s almost the weight of 17 medium-sized pears put together.

This pear was grown by JA Aichi Toyota Nashi Bukai, a Japanese farmer, in 2011 and was of the Agato variety, one of the largest pear varieties cultivated in the country.

11. Pear harvesting season lasts from late August to early October

Even though you can find exported and preserved pears in the markets all year round, the harvest season for pears in North America only lasts roughly two months.

It starts in late August, and the last pears are plucked in early October. You’ll still find fresh, local pears for another twenty days or so, but after that, it’s most probably exported or overripe.

California, Washington, and Oregon have a much longer harvesting period as they grow several more varieties of pears. They produce fresh pears almost all year round.

12. Pears mature and ripen even after being harvested!

Pears will continue to mature and ripen even after they are harvested. This is because they are climacteric fruit, meaning that they continue to ripen even after they are picked. Pears can be stored for a few weeks to allow them to ripen further.

Fruits like mangoes and bananas are also plucked well before ripening because their shelf life after ripening is very small. Similarly, pears must be plucked early, or they won’t ripen properly. In fact, the pears plucked when slightly immature and then ripened at room temperature taste better than those overmature at harvest.

For best results, store your fresh-brought pears for at least a week to ten days at room temperature before eating.

13. You can control the ripening of pears!

Have you ever brought fresh pears home, only to see that there’s already another batch of pears on your dining table?
Fortunately for you, there are a few tips and tricks that you can apply to speed up or slow down the ripening of pears slightly.

To speed up the ripening, place the pears next to a few bananas in a fruit bowl. On the other hand, refrigerate the pears to slow the ripening process.

14. The oldest pear tree in the world is estimated to be 458 years old!

Did you know the average pear tree can live for about 250 years, and some can live for more than 450 years? In fact, a Manchurian Pear tree in the ancient pear garden of Gansu, China, was estimated to be 458 years old in 2013! According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this exceptionally old tree is currently the oldest pear tree in the world.

15. It takes 3-10 years for a pear tree to bear fruits!

Did the average lifespan of a pear tree surprise you a bit? Well, it makes more sense when you find out that the average European pear tree doesn’t bear fruits until after 3-10 years of planting!

However, after these trees start flowering, they bear many fruits in a very short time, so it looks like the result is worth the wait after all. Asian pear trees mature a little earlier, about 3-5 years after being planted.

16. Pear wood is used in musical instruments, furniture, and kitchen appliances

Besides their fruits, pear trees have a lot to offer. Pear wood is used in manufacturing high-quality woodwind musical instruments, like the flute and the bassoon, and in furniture and woodcarving.

Moreover, it also acts as excellent firewood, giving off a fragrant aroma when burned, and is used for smoking meat and tobacco.

Pear wood is preferred for kitchen appliances like spatulas, spoons, and stirrers because it does not add color, flavor, or smell to the food. It is also resistant to warping and splintering, even after repeated soaking and drying.

17. Perry is the pear equivalent of apple cider

You’ve probably seen your mother use apple cider in desserts and might have tasted it. But did you know what it’s made of? Just fresh-pressed apples!

Apple cider has a pear equivalent, too: Perry. The fresh pears are pressed to release all that juicy, sweet goodness straight into a bottle.

The alcohol content in perry varies depending on the manufacturing company; you can find both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties in the market. If you’re going to buy some of this fruity goodness for yourself, remember that non-alcoholic perry is commonly called pear cider.

18. There are several ways to preserve and enjoy pears

There are many preservation techniques for pears to ensure that people worldwide can enjoy these fruits for the entire year.

They are canned, frozen, and added to jellies and jams. There’s also pear juice and perry, two of the most refreshing drinks for a hot summer night.

But when these fruits are in season around you, don’t eat them all straight out of hand! To fully utilize the pears’ flavor, add them to your pies, salads, cakes, smoothie bowls, and sandwiches.

19. Pears are highly nutritious fruits

Besides their sweet taste, pears are also really good for your health. Even if you’re not crazy about these fruits, try to eat at least one pear every two-three days when they are in season.

Pears are a good source of polyphenol antioxidants, which might reduce the chances of cancer and protect against oxidative damage. However, if you’re in the habit of peeling pears, it has to stop because the skin of pears contains six times more polyphenols than the flesh.

Pears are also packed with nutrients like copper, potassium, folate, and Vitamins K and C.

20. Pears relieve constipation and promote weight loss

If you suffer from constipation, eating pears regularly is a surefire way to treat it. Pears contain soluble and insoluble fibers, which promote digestive health.

A study done with 80 adults over four weeks showed that the fiber in pears relieves constipation and increases healthy gut bacteria. Again, the peel contains a substantial amount of fiber, so don’t skip out on those!

Pears have very few calories and a high fiber and water content. This combination is perfect for weight loss if consumed regularly. This is because fiber and water give a feeling of fullness in your gut, which makes you less prone to binge-eating.

And because of the low calories in pears, you can easily add two pears to your daily diet without hesitation!

21. The Asian Pear is the National Fruit of South Korea

Asian Pears are one of Asia’s favorite snacks. South Korea took this a step ahead by even naming the Asian Pear as their National Fruit!

22. Pears are the state fruit of Oregon!

In 2005, pears were declared the official state fruit of Oregon. If you think about it, it does make sense seeing how Pear is the top-selling tree fruit crop in the state. Oregon is also one of the six chief pear-producing states in the United States.

23. Renaissance painters loved drawing pears

If you’ve been to ancient museums, particularly in Rome or Greece, you must’ve noticed the occasional painted fruit bowl. Even if you haven’t, you must’ve seen a painting of a pear in your textbook or on the television.

It might look funny, but these fruit paintings have received high critical acclaim and appreciation. Their rounded shape and subtle coloring are hard to capture, and the slight shadow due to the elongated top only enhances its beauty.

As a famous example, Vincent Van Gogh has also painted pears and drawn several paintings of the flowering pear tree!

24. Pears can float on water!

Have you ever wondered whether pears can float on water? Let us first tell you that floating on the water depends on density.

If any fruit has a lower density than the density of water, it floats, or else it sinks. For example, lemons and bananas always float on water because their density is less than water’s, while avocadoes and potatoes sink in water.

Pear is one of those fruits which can either sink or float depending on how much it has ripened. A soft, fully-ripe pear will float on water, while a tight pear won’t.

25. December is celebrated as National Pear Month

Has this article piqued your interest in pears? We certainly hope so because National Pear Month isn’t going to wait for anyone!

These juicy, flavorful fruits are celebrated annually for the entire month of December. One of the best ways to celebrate pears is to incorporate them into the most basic recipes in new and innovative ways.

For instance, if you like pineapples on your pizza (don’t worry, we are not the judgmental sort), you’d love pears on your pizza.

Turkey leftovers are a common scene in most households during the holiday season. This year, wow your friends and cousins with the most amazing turkey cranberry sandwich by just adding a few slices of pear in there. Trust us; you won’t regret it.

Check out online forums and subreddits to learn unique and interesting facts about pears during National Pear Month!

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In this article, we have created a comprehensive collection of fascinating facts that will amaze both adults and children alike. From discussing the differences between varieties of mangoes to detailing their nutrient-rich benefits and even highlighting recipes for delicious treats, this list provides countless ways to explore this amazing tropical fruit.

Let’s get started!

1. Mangoes have been around for 4,000 years!

Considered one of the oldest fruits in the world, mangoes have been around for over 4,000 years! Mangoes are a fruit that originated in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. They were cultivated there for the first time and were brought to other parts of the world by traders and travelers. Mangoes are now grown in many tropical and subtropical regions, including Africa, the Americas, and Australia.

2. The term “mango” has Portuguese origins

Doesn’t the name of mangoes sound funny to you? Man-go, as if you’re asking a man to leave! If you’ve ever been curious about how this term came into being, we have the answer right here for you:

The term “mango” has Portuguese origins, as the Portuguese were the first Europeans to encounter the fruit during their travels to India. Mango is derived from the Portuguese term manga, which was taken from the Malay term mangga. This Malay term finds its roots in two Tamil words: man, which was the Tamil name for mango tree, and kay, which means fruit.

In other words, the fruits that grow on mango trees were called mankay in the Tamil language, and our current name for these fruits has been derived from it.

3. India is the land of mangoes’ origins

Since mangoes are warm-climate fruits, it’s natural to assume that they’ve originated in a tropical area, but do you know exactly where did these fruits first grow?

Evidence indicates that these fruits were first grown in the heart of Southeast Asia; the region between north-eastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, to be more precise. It is from this area that these tropical fruits spread to the rest of Asia and later to other continents.

4. There are thousands of recognized mango varieties in the world!

When it comes to varieties, mangoes offer more than you could ever handle! There are thousands of mango varieties cultivated around the world. India, the land of this fruit’s origin, boasts of cultivating over 1,500 mango varieties, out of which 1,000 are commercially recognized.

Even in America, where these fruits were not cultivated until the 19th century, you can find over 100 different mango varieties!

5. Mangoes and cashews are relatives

Who would ever have thought that large, juicy fruits like mangoes would be related to a dry fruit? It might seem surprising, but it’s true.

Mangoes are related to not one but two different nuts: cashews and pistachios. All three of these fruits belong to the Anacardiaceae family and are, therefore, botanically considered cousins.

6. Unripe mangoes have a higher Vitamin C content than ripe ones

While you might enjoy mangoes that are sweet and juicy, there are many who would rather have them raw. In their raw form, these fruits are extremely sour due to the high amount of citric, malic, oxalic, and succinic acids in them.

But did you know that there’s one more acid that has a higher concentration in unripe mangoes? We’re talking about Ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C. Because of its presence, unripe mangoes are more nutritious than ripe ones.

7. Unripe mangoes have various culinary uses

We just learned about the nutritiousness of unripe mangoes, despite their sour taste. But did you know that these sour fruits are warmly welcomed in Indian and Thai cuisines? They’re a common ingredient in salads, drinks, pickles, and chutneys.

8. Mangoes continue to ripen after they’re harvested

Have you ever brought home sour grapes and regretted it almost instantly? Well, in the case of mangoes, that’s nothing you’ll need to worry about, because even if they’re sour today, in a couple of days, they’ll turn sweeter.

This is because these tropical fruits are climacteric in nature, which means they continue to ripen after they’ve been plucked from their trees. When mangoes are picked, they’re not yet ripe. The ethylene gas that they produce speeds up the ripening process, so they continue to ripen after they’re harvested.

9. The Alphonso variety is called “the king of mangoes”

Mangoes are considered the king of fruits by many, but do you know which mango holds that position among other mango varieties? We’re talking about Alphonso Mangoes.

Named after the first Duke of the Indian state of Goa, Alfonso de Albuquerque, these mangoes are quite expensive and sought after in the international market for their soft, juicy pulp and rich and creamy flavor.

These bright fruits have a taste that seems like a combination of various other fruits, such as peaches, melons, and apricots dipped in honey.

10. Miyazaki Mangoes are the most expensive mangoes in the world

We just talked about one of the most expensive mangoes in the world above. Has that made you wonder which variety tops the list? We’re glad it did because here’s your answer: Miyazaki Mangoes.

Named after the Japanese city where it was cultivated in, this mango variety is also referred to as taiyo-no-tomago, which translates to eggs of sunshine in English. This is because they resemble dinosaur eggs in shape.

Each year, the Miyazaki Mangoes are auctioned off to the highest bidder in the market. In 2019, these fruits made their highest sale record, when a pair of them was sold at 500,000 yen. That’s close to $4,000. Imagine paying that much money for a couple of fruits!

11. Mangoes were first introduced in America in the 16th century

While mangoes have been on Earth for at least 4,000 years, not all of us have enjoyed in for that long. The Americans were unaware of the existence of these juicy fruits until the 16th century. Wondering how mangoes found their way into our continent?

It all started in the 14th century when the Portuguese explorers brought mangoes to Africa. On their later voyages, these explorers introduced these fruits to Brazil, from where they were spread to Mexico and the Caribbean.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that the fruits found their way into the United States, where the first mango tree was planted in Florida in 1833.

12. Mangoes were the muse behind the famous paisley pattern

Have you ever seen people wearing bandanas with paisley patterns drawn on them? We’re talking about the teardrop-shaped pattern, which has a curved end. This pattern, which originated in Persia in the 16th century and is now popular throughout the world, was inspired by the shape of mangoes!

The paisley pattern was highly popularized by the Beatles in America around the 1960s when they were considered a psychedelic style.

13. Mango trees can fruit at the age of 300 years

It is common knowledge that mangoes can last 2 to 3 days at room temperature and about 7-12 days when stored in a refrigerator. What comes as a surprise to many is the incredibly long lifespan of the trees on which these fruits grow.

The mango trees, which are about 120 feet tall, generally tend to live well past 100 years, with some trees bearing fruits even at the age of 300 years!

14. Mangoes can tenderize meat

You might have heard about papayas being used as a meat tenderizer, but did you know that mangoes can do it as well? Much like papayas, these fruits also contain enzymes that help break down the protein of meat into amino acids, which makes them softer and lesser chewy.

The next time you’re cooking meat and have mangoes sitting on your table’s basket, don’t forget to use them to your advantage!

15. Mango leaves are toxic to cattle

The leaves of mango trees, which are considered auspicious in Indian culture, are highly toxic to cattle! These leaves have a high concentration of Mangiferin, which is a phenolic compound that can cause poisoning in all cattle animals if they ingest in high quantities.

16. Touching mango leaves can make you itchy!

We learned earlier that mangoes, cashews, and pistachios come from the same family. But did you know that many popular trees with poison in their names – poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac – are all mango’s cousins as well?

Besides their shared family, these three plants have another similarity with mango plants: Urushiol, an oily chemical that induces a severe itch in humans upon touching it. This chemical runs in the sap of mango trees just as the other poison plants, which is why touching their leaves or bark can make you itchy.

17. The heaviest mango in the world weighs over 9 pounds!

If you’re interested in reading world records, you might already know that the record of the heaviest mango in the world was set at 7 pounds and 57 pounces. We’d like to update your knowledge by telling you how this record was broken very recently.

In April 2021, a farmer couple in Guayata, Columbia, set the new world record of the heaviest mango in the world, which weighed 9 pounds and 36 ounces!

18. India is the leading producer of mangos in the world

Considering how India was the land of mango’s origin, it’s not difficult to imagine the Asian country being its leading producer in the world. India accounts for 45% of the total mango production in the world. Indonesia, which falls second on the list, has a total production that’s merely one-eighth of India’s.

What’s even more surprising is that despite its incredibly high numbers of production, the country has less than 1% involvement in the global trade of mangos.

It only highlights how most mangoes grown in the country are consumed by its citizens, making India the largest mango-consuming country as well. It is for these reasons that the country is called the Mango Capital of the World.

19. Mangoes hold a special place in the Indian culture

We’ve already gathered by now that India and mangoes go way back. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that these fruits are significant in the country’s culture as well.

In Tamil Nadu, a South-Indian state, mango is considered one of the three royal fruits, alongside jackfruits and bananas. Mango leaves are used to decorate doors and entrances in festivals, while their blossoms are used to worship Goddess Saraswati.

Ambika, the Jain goddess, is also represented as sitting under a mango tree!

20. The Buddhists see mangoes as a symbol of prosperity

Mangoes have a special place in the hearts of all Buddhists, and it’s not merely because of their taste.

There’s a popular Buddhist legend that says that Buddha was once gifted a grove of mangoes to rest and meditate. Because of this legend, the Buddhists started seeing mangoes as a symbol of prosperity and faith. These fruits also became a symbol of diplomacy since they were exchanged as gifts among various Buddhist rulers.

21. Thailand is the largest exporter of mangoes in the world

We learned above how India grows the most mangos in the world and consumes them, too, having lower than 1% involvement in the global mango trade. Doesn’t that make you wonder which country exports most of these fruits? If it does, we have the answer right here for you: Thailand is the largest exporter of mangoes in the world, accounting for about one-third of the global mango trade. The country exports mangoes to more than 50 countries, with the majority of exports going to the United States, Europe, and Japan.

22. China is the largest importer of mangoes in the world

Now that we’ve learned about mango’s largest exporter, let’s move on to talk about the country that imports the highest numbers of these fruits: it’s China.

Despite being the third-largest producer of mangoes itself, this Asian country imports them from ten different countries. Perhaps its large mango production isn’t enough for its even larger population.

Mangoes are a popular fruit in China and are often eaten fresh or used in juices and desserts. The fruit is also becoming increasingly popular as a decorative element in fruit platters and as a garnish on cocktails and other drinks.

23. Mango is the national fruit of three Asian countries!

Because mangoes have originated in Asia, three Asian countries have declared them their national fruit: India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

24. Mango trees can grow up to 100 feet tall

The average height of a mango tree is about 45 feet, but some trees can grow over 100 feet. Mango trees have a wide, round canopy and a dense network of branches and leaves.

25. Mango is considered a drupe

A drupe is a fruit with a stone or pit inside, surrounded by flesh. Mangoes are drupes because they have a large, hard seed in the center, surrounded by juicy flesh. The skin of a mango is thin and can be eaten, but it is often discarded. The flesh of the mango is sweet and creamy, and it is often used in desserts or eaten as a snack. Mangoes are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.

26. July 22nd is celebrated as National Mango Day

Because mangoes are considered the most delicious of summer fruits, it seems appropriate that they’re celebrated right in the middle of summer, on July 22nd.

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From identifying the origins of wild tomatoes to understanding the many health benefits they offer, this list features so much knowledge sure to result in plenty of “Oh Wow!” moments. Simply impress your little ones with a few show-stopping facts, or delve into an exciting game of educational trivia using our tomato list!

1. Tomatoes are botanically considered fruits

Because of the diversity with which tomatoes are used in the culinary world, most people see them as a vegetable. However, if you ask a botanist about it, they’ll disagree, and here’s why:

A major difference between fruits and vegetables is that fruits are born out of the flowering parts of a plant AND contain seeds. On the other hand, vegetables could be any edible part, be it the stem, root, or leaves.

Because tomatoes come from the flowers on tomato plants and contain seeds within their flesh, they’re botanically considered a fruit.

2. Tomatoes originated in Mesoamerica

As most of you might already know, Mesoamerica is the historical region encompassing Southern parts of North America and almost all of Central America.

It was in this region that tomatoes were first grown. While historians haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact time of their domestication, they’ve found proof that the natives of Mesoamerica were already growing them by 500 BC.

3. The term “tomato” has a long history of the origin

Have you ever wondered how the name that we use for these red, juicy fruits came into existence? Here’s the story behind that:

The English term tomato is derived from the Spanish term tomate. So, what does tomate mean? Well, it’s derived from another term from an ancient Aztec language (Nahuatl) term tomatl, which, when translated to English means a swelling fruit. Quite appropriate, isn’t it?

4. The leaves and stems of tomato plants are toxic!

Did you know that the fruits that we so commonly use around our kitchen come from a plant that could be toxic to us? Yes, you heard it right.

All tomato plants contain tomatine, a glycoalkaloid found in all the green parts of the plants that can be toxic to humans when consumed in large quantities.

So, do the fruits of these plants not contain tomatine at all? Well, they do, but in such a low concentration that they’re harmless to us. And let’s not forget all the goodness these fruits offer, which is why the decision to eat them wasn’t a tough one for humans.

5. The first tomato brought to Europe was yellow in color

Because tomatoes were endemic to Mesoamerica, their introduction to Europe took place in the 16th century when. Hernan Cortes, a Spanish soldier and explorer brought a yellow tomato back from an ancient Aztec city.

Because these tomatoes were yellow in color, the Italians started calling them Pomi d’oro, which roughly translates to golden apples in English.

6. There are over 10,000 recognized tomato varieties in the world

When tomatoes were first grown in Mesoamerica, people only knew about the tiny, red ones that were grown around them. However, with time, as these fruits were spread across the world and cultivated in different climates and environments, they started to show more and more variation, ultimately splitting into numerous individual varieties.

Today, there are over 10,000 recognized varieties of these fruit being cultivated around the world. Isn’t that amazing?

7. There are as many as 300 seeds in a single tomato

If you’ve seen the flesh of tomatoes, you must’ve noticed tiny, squishy things inside. These are the seeds of these fruits. And if you ever wanted to count how many of them a single fruit contains, you might get tired in the process because there could be as many as 300!

An average-sized garden tomato is said to have 150-300 seeds. However, the smaller varieties, such as cherry or grape tomatoes, are known for having lesser seeds.

8. Tomatoes are basically water!

If you ever split open a tomato, you’ll notice how its insides are filled more with fluids than with flesh. So, it’s natural to assume that the fruit has a high water content. But can you guess just how high we’re talking here?

It might sound surprising, but 95% of a tomato’s mass is made up of water, with the remaining 4% consisting of carbohydrates. Its protein and fat content are both under the last 1%!

9. Tomatoes are the only fruits that possess an umami flavor

As you might already know, we possess five taste receptors on our tongue: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory or umami. This flavor, which is highly uncommon among fruits, is present in tomatoes, making them quite extraordinary in the fruit kingdom!

10. Tomatoes come in all kinds of colors

True, red is the most common color among all tomato varieties, but it certainly isn’t the only one.

You can find tomatoes in shades of yellow, orange, green, pink, purple, white, and even black! With this many varieties, they have to be the most colorful members in both the fruit and the vegetable families.

11. The heaviest tomato in the world weighs over 10 pounds!

Many of you must know this already, but the weight of average-sized garden tomato is about 5 ounces. Now, could you guess how heavy could the largest tomato in the world be? This might blow your mind, but it’s over 30 times that size.

We’re not kidding! In 2020, Dan Sutherland, a farmer from Washington, set the world record for growing the heaviest tomato. His tomato weighed 10 pounds and 12 ounces (4.8 kilograms) and had a circumference of 33 inches, which is roughly three times the size of a dinner plate. Imagine that!

The tomato grown by Sutherland was of the Domingo variety, which is quite popular for its gigantic size.

12. In Italy, tomatoes were first grown as a garden plant

As we’ve already mentioned above, tomatoes were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Since it was brought back by a Spanish explorer, Spain became the first European country where the fruit’s use in the culinary world became popular.

From there, tomatoes traveled to Italy, France, and the other Northern countries of the continent. However, the people of these regions didn’t see tomatoes as fruits at all! Especially not at first.

In the beginning, the tomato plants were merely ornamental for them. In the words of a Florentine aristocrat, they were to be sought only for their beauty. The main reason behind it was their fear of belladonna, a poisonous plant that belonged to the same family as the tomatoes: Nightshade.

13. Tomatoes have a caterpillar named after them!

Did you know that there is a caterpillar out there that’s named after these fruits? Don’t worry; we’ll tell you about these caterpillars and their peculiar naming.

Tomato Hornworms are the larvae of the Five-spotted Hawkmoth and have a leafy-green body with intricate patterns drawn on each side. Now, why have they been after tomatoes? It’s because these caterpillars are picky eaters and feed only on the nightshade plants, and have a special fondness for tomato plants.

14. Roma Tomatoes are shaped like eggs!

How would you describe the shape of a tomato? The most common varieties in the market – garden tomatoes – are somewhat spherical to oval in shape, right? Well, this might take you by surprise, but there’s a tomato variety out there that looks just like an egg!

Roma Tomatoes, a plum tomato variety cultivated in Mexico, Australia, and the United States, are shaped eerily similar to eggs. So, the next time you want to prank a friend, just get one of these fruits, paint them white, and go crazy!

15. There’s a tomato variety that looks just like pear!

As long as we’re talking about tomatoes that are shaped like other foods, how can we forget Pear Tomatoes?

Also referred to as Teardrop Tomatoes, the Pear Tomatoes are named exactly after what they look like: a pear. However, they’re much smaller than pears in size and occur in yellow, orange, and red varieties (yellow being the most common one).

Pear Tomatoes originated in Europe in the 18th century and were most often used in flavoring soups.

16. A Michigan couple found a duck-shaped tomato in 2015!

We swear this is the last oddly-shaped tomato we’re going to talk about, but this one is also the most special! Wondering why? For two reasons.

First and foremost, this is not a cultivar variety that anyone can grow in their houses, but just an accidental anomaly grown on a regular garden tomato plant. The second, more obvious reason is that it’s shaped like a duck!

This unique miracle took place in the garden of a Michigan couple back in 2015, who then reported to the media. The woman, Marie Davidek, was an avid gardener in her 60s, and was quite amused to find this duck growing among other regular-shaped tomatoes.

18. China is the leading tomato-producing country in the world

Although tomatoes originated in the Americas, their production today is more widespread and prevalent in Asian countries. China ranks first on this list and is followed by India, Pakistan, and Turkey.

19. California is the leading tomato-producing state in the United States

Among the states of our country that grow tomatoes, California takes the lead, being the only major contributor accounting for over 80% of the total tomato production in the United States.

20. New Jersey has declared tomatoes as their official state vegetable

Since the tomatoes grown in New Jersey – the New Jersey Tomatoes – are so popular all over the United States, the Garden State has officially declared them as their state vegetable. This might seem weird as tomatoes are actually fruits, but if you look at the widespread culinary use of Jersey Tomatoes, it makes sense.

21. Ohio has declared tomato juice as their official state beverage

It seems like tomatoes are quite well-loved not just for their appearance but also for their juice. Ohio has officially named tomato juice as its state beverage, and here’s the story of how it happened:

It all started in 1870, when Alexander Livingston, an Ohio-based farmer, began to grow tomatoes commercially. A skilled and curious farmer, Livingston was soon well-known for having developed Paragon Tomatoes, one of the first large-sized tomatoes that had a smooth texture.

These tomatoes were so well-accepted among the people of the state that in order to honor Livingston, as well as the significance of tomatoes to the state’s economy, they began to celebrate The Tomato Festival annually in Reynoldsburg.

And it was during the Tomato Festival of 1965 that the Ohio General Assembly declared tomato juice as their state beverage.

22. The largest tomato festival in the world is held in Spain!

Now that we’ve already talked about the tomato festival celebrated in the US, let’s broaden our horizons a little and tell you about the largest tomato festival in the world! Yes, we’re talking about La Tomatina.

La Tomatina is a traditional Spanish that has been celebrated in the country every year on the last Wednesday of August since 1945. Each year, more vigor is added to this celebration, complete with band performances, parades, and, most importantly, the fight.

Earlier, the festival was open to all, but due to excessive commotion year after year, the Spanish Government declared that it would only be open to participants who had bought paid tickets. In the tomato fight that lasts about an hour, an estimate of about 300,000 pounds of tomatoes is used!

23. April 6th is celebrated as World Tomato Day

April 6th is celebrated as World Tomato Day to honor the tomato and to recognize its importance in the culinary world. The day promotes the consumption of tomatoes in order to improve one’s health.

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This blog post introduces 28 awesome facts about potatoes that will amaze and delight kids and adults alike. From where they come from to how many different types there are, you’ll be a potato expert in no time.

So let’s jump right in and get discovering!

1. Potatoes are tubers, not vegetables!

Potatoes are the single most common item in almost every kitchen worldwide and are part of the staple diet in most countries. However, most people still don’t know what they are.

Contrary to popular belief, potatoes aren’t truly vegetables or even root vegetables. However, they are still called so as they come from a plant and are grown for their edible root, which botanically makes them vegetables.

Potatoes fall into a different category altogether, called tubers. Tubers are swollen, irregularly shaped plant parts or organs that store energy for the plant.

2. The term “potato” has Spanish origins

Did you know that the English term Potato that we so commonly use for these tubers has been derived from their Spanish name: patata? What’s even more fascinating is that they’re still called patata in many parts of Spain.

3. Not all potatoes are yellow!

Since potatoes are an important part of most of our meals, it’s understandable if you might get bored looking at the same yellow potatoes daily.

Well, don’t worry because we’ve got the best solution for you! The next time you go to the vegetable market, remember to look for purple or red potatoes.

Not only will they be a refreshing change, but these potatoes are also loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which are great for your immune health.

4. Potatoes were domesticated around 8,000 years ago

Potatoes were domesticated around 8,000 years ago in the South American Andes by a powerful tribe called the Inca Indians. However, they were only brought into Europe in the mid-1500s, after which these vegetables spread throughout the world.

5. Under ideal conditions, potatoes can even last up to 1 year!

Would you ever have thought any vegetable could have a shelf life of over a year? Well, potatoes can. But the effort that goes into making these veggies last that long is something you’re unlikely to want to do at home.

For potatoes to live that long, they need to be stored at 39° F. But it’s not as simple as it sounds. First, you’ll need to dry them properly to eliminate any risk of rotting. Then, the temperature of their storage is gradually decreased over time.

And when it’s time to get them out, you need to gradually bring their temperature back to room temperature.
We understand that it’s a lot of hassle for your home, but for large-scale commercial producers of these veggies with both planning and machinery in place, it’s nothing.

6. Potatoes are native to Peru and Bolivia

Potatoes are native to the Andean region of South America, which includes Peru and Bolivia. They were first domesticated by the indigenous people of the region, and have been a staple food in the area for thousands of years. Potatoes were introduced to Europe in the 16th century, and have since become a staple food in many parts of the world.

7. There are more than 4,000 varieties of potatoes

How many types of potatoes can you name off the top of your head? Well, let’s see, there are Russet Potatoes, Fingerling Potatoes, the potatoes they make those fries with, and that’s about it, right? Not really.

You’d be surprised to learn that besides the famous varieties, there are about 4,000 varieties of potatoes overall! About 80 of these are available in the United Kingdom, and over 200 types are found in the United States.

8. Sweet potatoes aren’t real potatoes

Sweet potatoes are often mistaken for potatoes, which is an understandable slip-up, considering their names.
However, that doesn’t mean it is true. Sweet potatoes are scientifically categorized as root vegetables and are called tuberous roots.

This might make you think that potatoes and sweet potatoes are similar, but the only physical similarity between the two plants is that they grow underground. They’re entirely different in terms of density, taste, and nutrition.

9. Potatoes are the third-most important food crop in the world!

We all know potatoes are commonly consumed around the globe, but what is the extent of their consumption?

Potatoes are the third-most important food crop, after rice and wheat. More than a billion people eat potatoes around the world, and the worldwide production of this vegetable exceeds 300 million metric tons!

10. China is the largest potato-producing country in the world

Although China isn’t even close to where potatoes originated, it didn’t stop the country from producing the most potatoes worldwide! China contributes to about 22% of the global potato production on average; in 2019, about 94 million metric tons of potatoes were grown in China!

This is due to the large amount of arable land and the favorable climate conditions in the country. In addition, the Chinese government has invested heavily in the potato industry, resulting in higher production levels.

11. Idaho is the largest potato-producing state in the United States

In the United States, Idaho has left Maine behind in potato production, with more than 5 million metric tons of potatoes grown yearly. This also means that Idaho provides about one-third of the United States’ total potato production. For these reasons, the state has aptly been named the Potato State.

12. There’s a Potato Museum in the Potato State!

We just learned that Idaho is the Potato State of the United States. So, if you had to guess where would the Potato Museum be located in the country, what would be your first guess? You’ve got it right; it’s in Idaho!

The Idaho Potato Museum was established in the city of Blackfoot in 1913 and displays various potato souvenirs, of which the most significant one is the largest potato crisp in the world! It was donated to the museum by Pringles.

13. Potatoes are grown on every continent except Antarctica and the Arctic circle!

Did you know that potatoes are grown everywhere except Antarctica and the Arctic circle? It’s true! In fact, they’re grown in every country on each continent except those places!

This means that potatoes can be grown in a wide range of climates, from cold to hot. They are a versatile and hardy crop that can be grown in many different types of soil.

14. Potatoes don’t make you fat

Potatoes are mostly associated with weight gain and snacking and are, therefore, considered unhealthy. But the reputation given to this vegetable is harsh and misinformed. In fact, potatoes literally contain 0 grams of fat!

The paranoia around weight gain from potatoes stems from its carbohydrate and caloric content, which is admittedly high. One medium-sized potato contains 265 calories and 61 grams of carbs.

However, these are also healthy nutrients that are important for our bodies. To get potatoes into your diet the healthy way, try baking, roasting, and boiling your potatoes instead of frying them. As long as you lead a moderately active life and don’t overeat potatoes, you’ll be in good shape.

15. Potatoes have more Potassium than bananas!

You might’ve heard people saying bananas are rich in potassium, an electrolyte. Gym-goers and athletes eat a lot of bananas (among other things), as electrolytes energize their minds and bodies instantly.

Well, a medium-sized potato contains 620 milligrams of potassium, which is more than a banana! Potatoes are also packed with antioxidants and Vitamins B6 and C, but you need to eat the skin for maximum nutrition retention.

16. Potatoes have various cooking applications

There are hundreds of ways to prepare potatoes, from street style to gourmet. These veggies are used in curries, dips, dumplings, soups, salads, and pancakes, to name a few of their common uses. They’re particularly beloved in their fried form as fries and in tacos, burgers, and sandwiches.

And who can forget our favorite chips? They come in various flavors that explode on your tongue and always leave you wanting more. Potato starch is a common ingredient as a thickener in sauces and stews and as a binding agent in cake mixes, doughs, and ice creams.

17. All the green parts of a potato plant are toxic

If you’ve ever seen the green buds on a potato, you might have thought how intriguing they look. But besides their looks, nothing is intriguing about these little tubers. Those buds and all other green parts of a potato plant are poisonous.

The green pigment contains a toxic ingredient called solanine, which can even be toxic to your health in even small amounts. So, if you see a potato slightly greenish under the skin, do not consume it.

18. Potato chips are America’s second-favorite snack!

According to a survey conducted in 2021, potato chips are America’s second favorite snack at 58% of the votes, while cookies take first place at 59%.

However, that doesn’t mean that they’re good for our health. Even though they’re delicious, potato chips are generally fried and processed. Too many of these can be unhealthy for you in more ways than one.

19. Potatoes and tobacco are relatives!

Could you have thought that potatoes, a staple food in the majority of the world, could ever be related to tobacco, a plant that is the major ingredient in cigarettes? Well, the truth is, both of them belong to the Nightshade family and, therefore are relatives.

However, there’s no reason for you to worry because the Nightshade family is quite diverse and contains many other vegetables you commonly eat, including tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.

20. Potatoes are the first food to be grown in space!

If you’ve seen the movie Interstellar, you know how long space flights can be. Growing food aboard space stations has been one of NASA’s interests for years since it’s one of the essential sustainability requirements for astronauts in space.

In 1995, the astronauts in the Microgravity Astroculture Laboratory on the Space Shuttle Columbia grew five small potatoes while in orbit!

21. Potatoes are also used to make vodka!

Alcoholic drinks are made from the fermented yeasts in sugar, fruits, and vegetables! Fermentation is also the reason why they’re so high in calories. Vodka is a clear spirit that is typically made from grain or potatoes. While most vodkas are made from grain, some are made from potatoes. Potato vodka is said to have a smoother flavor than grain vodka.

22. The heaviest potato ever grown weighed over 10 pounds!

How heavy do you think a potato can be? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record is currently at 10 pounds 14 ounces (4.98 kilograms). This potato was grown by Peter Glazebrook and was weighed at a National Gardening Show in the United Kingdom in 2011.

23. Potato flowers were brought into fashion by the last French Queen

Many of you might already know who Marie Antoinette was; she was the last queen of France who ruled the country between 1774 and 1792, right before the French Revolution.

While most of us know her from her famous remark of “Let them eat Cake!” there’s another thing that the last queen had popularized back in her time. She had once received a bouquet of potato flowers and came to like them so much that she’d make public appearances in outfits decorated by them.

Inspired by her fashion, her subjects also started following the potato flower fashion trend, which probably lasted until the French Revolution broke out.

24. During the Klondike Gold Rush, potatoes were traded for gold!

We agree that potatoes are superfoods, but would you ever trade gold for them? No one in their right mind would, right? Well, the answer to this question could be subjective.

Surely someone who can easily buy these veggies at a local store nearby for less than a dollar would call such a thing hilarious. But if you could ask the freezing miners from the Klondike Gold Rush (1896-99) what was more valuable to them, they’d pick potatoes without a second thought.

These miners were already far from home, struggling in the mines, and were threatened by the risk of Scurvy. Under such circumstances, only potatoes, with their high Vitamin C content, could save their lives, not gold. They were, thus, happy to trade one for the other.

25. Potatoes are responsible for the Great Famine of Ireland!

The Great Famine, also called The Great Hunger and The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849), was a period of widespread disease and starvation. Approximately a million people died, and another million fled the country, which led to a 20-25% fall in Ireland’s population.

The main reason behind this famine was a disease called potato blight, which destroyed the crops, resulting in mass starvation.

When potatoes were initially introduced in Ireland, the people didn’t exactly welcomed these veggies into their diet. But as the food demands in London grew, they resigned to these crops as they were quick to grow and took up comparatively less farming space.

26. Potatoes don’t float in regular water, but they do float in salt or sugar water

Have you ever wondered whether or not potatoes can float in water? First, let us tell you what floating on water is all about: density. If the density of an object is lesser than the density of water, it floats. On the other hand, if the object has a higher density than water, it’ll sink to the bottom.

Since potatoes have a higher density than regular water, they’ll definitely sink when put in a water-filled tub. But when you mix salt or sugar in water, its density increases, which means a potato will float in salt water!

27. Two National Potato Days are celebrated annually in the United States!

You might’ve heard nutritious fruits and vegetables getting their own days of celebration and recognition. However, potatoes are not like the rest: two National Potato Days are celebrated every year in the United States!

On August 19th and October 27th of every year, potato farmers and enthusiasts come together from around the world on online forums to celebrate this vegetable.

28. The year 2008 is considered as the International Year of the Potato!

Besides having two days for themselves, potatoes also have the year 2008 to themselves as a way of celebrating their utility!

According to the United Nations (which declared the International Year of the Potato), potatoes are a staple food loved by all and have played a vital role in the rise of the West. Potatoes have also helped in eradicating hunger around the world through their comparatively quick, non-fussy growth and nutritional value.

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In this article, we’ve put together lots of fun facts about raspberries that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. So, without any further ado, let’s begin!

1. Raspberries are not true berries but aggregate fruits!

Most people assume that fruits like raspberries and strawberries are berries, and it’s understandable. After all, that’s what they’re called, right? However, berry isn’t just a common English term; it’s also a botanical term. And botanically, raspberries aren’t true berries at all.

Instead, they belong to an entirely different category called aggregate fruits. The fruits in this category are formed by many ovaries coming together to form one flower.

2. The small buds that make a raspberry are called drupelets

If you’re an avid raspberry eater, you might’ve noticed the small buds that make up a raspberry. In general, a raspberry is composed of about 50 to 150 of those small buds, which are called drupelets.

But did you know that those small buds are actually tiny fruits? It’s true; drupelets even have seeds, too!

3. Raspberries belong to the Rose family!

Roses and raspberries belong to the same family, Rosaceae. Fruits like peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, apples, pears, and strawberries are also part of this family, making it one of the six most economically important crop plant families in the world.

4. The term ‘Raspberry’ has Latin origins!

The word raspberry has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

You’d be surprised to learn that raspberries get their name from the Anglo-Latin word raspise, which means a sweet, rose-colored wine.

The name could’ve also been influenced by the fruit’s rough surface, leading to the use of the Old-English word rasp, meaning rough berry.

5. There are more than 200 varieties of raspberries!

If you’ve ever seen a raspberry bush, you must’ve noticed the sharp thorns on the stem. The vines these fruits grow on also require vertical support.

To improve upon these issues, various raspberry breeding programs were held. Recent breeding has resulted in new and more efficient raspberry varieties. These produce large yields, don’t have thorns, and can grow without staking (support).

More than 200 varieties of raspberries are grown today, most of which are cross-bred with other berries.

6. Raspberries were first cultivated in the 4th century

Raspberries have been around for much, much longer than you’d imagine. Archaeological evidence suggests humans consumed raspberries even in the Paleolithic Era!

According to the writings of the Roman agriculturalist, Palladius, the Romans started cultivating raspberries in the 4th century.

The cultivation of raspberries in England began in the 16th century. Although the Americans were already eating the black raspberries native to the region, full-fledged cultivation only started in the early 1800s.

7. Raspberries commonly occur in 4 different colors

Yes, Red Raspberries are great, but have you ever had Black Raspberries?

Raspberries mostly occur in four colors: red, black, purple, and yellow/golden. The difference in fruits’ pigments doesn’t make much difference in their taste, except for sweetness. In other words, all raspberries have the same flavor regardless of their color; only some are sweeter than others.

The most common of these is the Red Raspberries, which you can find in almost every fruit market and online.

8. Golden Raspberries are highly rare!

Golden Raspberries look vibrant, but they taste even better. They are sweeter than Red Raspberries; their taste is often compared to honey and apricots.

If you’ve ever had these naturally-occurring variants of raspberries, count yourself among the fortunate ones because they’re very rare. Even if you find them, they’re sold as novelty items and are extremely (often bordering on unreasonably) expensive.

9. Raspberries have hollow insides!

Have you ever noticed that raspberries have hollow insides?

This is another factor that distinguishes raspberries from blackberries: blackberries have flesh on the inside, while raspberries are completely hollow.

If you’ve ever picked raspberries, you might’ve noticed the white-colored receptacle that’s left behind when the fruit is plucked out. And it’s a good thing that it doesn’t come with the fruit because those receptacles are inedible.

10. Water makes up for over 85% of raspberries’ mass

Raspberries are composed of almost 85% water, which is why it feels like they’re exploding all their sweet juices into your mouth: they literally are!

11. Raspberries can float on water!

We just told you how water makes up for 85% of raspberry’s mass. Did that make you wonder if these fruits can float on water?

First, let us tell you what floating on water is all about: density. If a fruit’s density is less than water’s, it floats; otherwise, it sinks. The density of raspberries is quite low, as they’re hollow from the inside. This means they generally float on water.

12. Raspberries are a storehouse of antioxidants

Raspberries don’t only taste and look good; they also work wonders for your health when consumed regularly!
For example, these berries contain powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C, which help prevent oxidative stress on your cells.

Research also suggests that they have anti-inflammatory properties, which might prevent the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

13. Raspberries promote weight loss

If you’re worried you’ll grow fat from eating raspberries, you’re in for a surprise.

The fiber and water content of raspberries together make these berries the perfect snack. As long as you’re eating them in moderation, raspberries might even help you lose weight!

This is because fiber binds your stomach and makes you feel full even after eating just a few of them. They satiate your sweet tooth while reducing the urge to binge eat.

14. Experts call raspberries “anti-aging fruits”

The antioxidant content of raspberries might help reduce the signs of aging by fighting the free radicals in your body.
Vitamin C in them is also necessary for healthy skin, as it reverses damage caused to the skin by UV rays.

15. Raspberries have various culinary applications

Raspberries taste juicy and sweet when eaten fresh, but that’s not all they’re good for. These fruits are a wonderful addition to almost every dessert, and there are many ways to preserve them for a longer time, too!

When fresh, you can add raspberries to pies, cakes, muffins, cupcakes, tarts, puddings, smoothies, and shakes. They’re used to flavor liquors, champagnes, and spirits.

Raspberry wines are a delicacy in the wine industry, and these berries are also added to grape wines to sweeten them.
Raspberries are dried, canned, frozen, and made into jams to preserve them for a longer time.

16. Blue raspberries don’t exist in Nature!

Blue raspberries do not exist, even if the label on your 100% natural fruit drink tells you otherwise.

If you’ve bought a blue raspberry product, let us tell you that no such fruit exists, and even if it does, it hasn’t been discovered yet. Products that claim to have Blue Raspberry juice generally contain extracts from lesser expensive fruits like oranges and apples.

18. Russia is the leading raspberry-producing country in the world!

Russia produces the most raspberries out of all other countries, with a yearly production of approximately 174,000 tons. That’s almost 20% of the worldwide raspberry production!

The second, third, fourth, and fifth places are currently occupied by Mexico, Poland, Serbia, and the United States, respectively.

19. California is the largest raspberry-producing state in the United States

California produces the most Raspberries in the United States; the Golden State accounts for almost 80% of the country’s total raspberry production!

Oregon and Washington are next in line, but their combined production is far less than that of California.

20. The Raspberry Special transported raspberries from Scotland to London in the 1950s

Scotland is often said to produce the finest raspberries in the world. Looks like the people in London firmly believed in this saying! In the 1950s, Scotland shuttled raspberries to London on a steam train called the Raspberry Special.

21. Blowing a raspberry doesn’t actually involve a raspberry!

Blowing a raspberry is a way to display derision and ridicule. To blow a raspberry, you make a sound by putting your tongue out and blowing. The sound thus created resembles a fart. It is generally taken as a sign of insult and also makes you come across as childish.

22. The Golden Raspberry Awards aren’t a big honor

If you like watching the Oscars, you’ll love the Golden Raspberry Awards.

The Golden Raspberry Awards or the Razzies are a parody of the Academy Awards. Some nominations include Worst Picture, Worst Screen Combo, Worst Actor, and more.

They are called so in reference to the rhyming slang, blowing a raspberry.

23. Raspberries have a cultural significance in the Greek mythology

As you already know, raspberries have been consumed in Europe, particularly in Rome and Greece, since the 4th century. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the fruit also strongly influenced the region’s culture.

According to Greek mythology, all raspberries were white until Ida, baby Zeus’s nursemaid, pricked her finger on the thorny raspberry bushes. Her blood stained the raspberries, and they’ve remained red ever since.

Rubus idaeus, the scientific name for raspberries, also means bramble bush of Ida. Raspberries are also seen as a symbol of fertility in Greek culture.

24. Astronomers claim the Milky Way “could taste of raspberries!”

How cool would it be if the Milky Way tasted like raspberries?

While looking for amino acids (the basic elements from which life is created) in space, scientists came across one giant dust cloud at the heart of the Milky Way.

And while they didn’t find any amino acids in there, they did find ethyl formate, the chemical responsible for the flavor of raspberries.

However, it looks like we’re still far from space raspberries. According to astronomer Arnaud Belloche, there are many other molecules that are needed to make space raspberries.

25. Raspberries are the national fruit of Nepal

Raspberries are also the national fruit of Nepal and are widely grown in this country. In fact, there’s a particular raspberry variety that grows only in this  Asian country. They’re called Nepalese Raspberries (rubus nepalensis), are golden in color and slightly sour in taste.

26. Minnesota hosts a Raspberry Festival every year!

If you are a raspberry enthusiast and live somewhere near Hopkins, Minnesota, you’re in for a treat: literally!

The small town of Hopkins has been hosting a three-day Raspberry festival every year in July. The events include a Search for the Golden Raspberry, a Grande Day Parade, a Family Day, and much more!

You’ll be able to try the different, rare varieties of raspberries as well.

27. 31st July is celebrated as National Raspberry Cake Day annually

We all love desserts, especially if they’re fruit flavored, right?

Someone thought it would be a great idea to celebrate raspberries and fruity desserts together on National Raspberry Cake Day. And we don’t know about you, but we surely agree!

To celebrate National Raspberry Cake Day, put your own spin on this dessert! You can add in chocolate, strawberries, blackberries, and maybe some lemon zest. Just go into that kitchen and create something completely original!

Raspberry festivals are also common in places where these berries are grown. If you cannot attend such an event, you can also host one with the help of your friends and family!

25 Pomegranate Facts For Kids That Are Fun To Know

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1. The term “pomegranate” has Latin origins

Do you know what the term pomegranate means? Yes, it’s the name of a fruit, but how did this fruit come to be named pomegranate? Well, it has been derived from two medieval Latin terms: pomum, which means apple, and granatum means seeded.

So, pomegranates were basically called seeded apples, which makes sense because of two reasons:
• Apple was a generic term for all fruits (other than berries) up until the 17th century.
• The inside of the pomegranate is indeed filled with seeds.

2. Pomegranates have originated in the Middle East

Being tropical fruits, it’s no surprise that pomegranates originated in the Middle East, where the climate was ideal for their growth. Some historians claim that Persia is the kingdom of their origin, but there’s little substantial evidence to verify that.

Wherever these fruits might have originated, they quickly spread throughout the Mediterranean and were soon found in China, Arabia, Afghanistan, and India.

3. Pomegranates are botanically categorized as a berry

The image of berries in your head might consist of small, brightly-colored fruits with juicy pulp. But that’s not how the botanists define it; according to them, true berries originate from a single-ovaried flower and have many seeds. Pomegranates fit this description perfectly and are, therefore, botanically categorized as berries.

4. A single pomegranate can have as many as 1,400 seeds!

Many of you might already know this, but it is the seeds of pomegranates that are primarily edible to us. These bright red seeds are also referred to as arils and have a juicy, sweet taste with an occasional touch of tart.

A single pomegranate can have anywhere between 200 and 1,400 seeds. Did you know that the thin white flesh that surrounds these seeds is also edible? But because they taste so bitter, most people throw them away.

5. Pomegranates are a storehouse of antioxidants

Pomegranates are a potent antioxidant, having a rich source of fructose, sucrose, punicic acid, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and simple organic acids.

These antioxidants lend these fruits anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-hypertensive properties, making them a healthy addition to your diet.

6. The pomegranate trees can live as long as 200 years!

Pomegranates are durable fruits and can last up to 2 months in the refrigerator. What if we told you that their durability is nothing when compared to that of the trees on which they grow?

The pomegranate trees have a very long lifespan and can live up to 200 years. However, they don’t bear fruit for that long; their peak fruition period lasts only 12-15 years.

7. Pomegranate seeds have a long history of use in traditional medicines

This might come as a surprise to many of you, but long before pomegranates were consumed as fruits, they played an indispensable role in the traditional medicinal practices in Asian countries. In fact, humans’ first association with these fruits was significant for their use in medicine and not direct consumption as a fruit.

8. The Spanish name of Pomegranates is also the name of a Spanish city

The capital city of the Province of Grenada in Spain is named Granada. Oddly enough, grenada is also the Spanish name for pomegranates. It could perhaps be because of this reason that these fruits are the heraldic device of the city.

9. Pomegranates are explosive fruits!

Yes, pomegranates don’t always need your help to crack them open. But if you’re thinking they’d explode randomly with all their seeds flying haywire, that’s not how it works.

Calling it split open would be more appropriate. Many pomegranate farmers have reported that these fruits are often found split open while hanging on the trees a little before their harvesting time. Some of them believe that this happens when they become overripe, which is not true.

The real reason behind pomegranates splitting themselves open is irrigational irregularity. Here’s how it happens:

When the trees get lesser water than it needs, the outer peels of their fruits stop growing. And later on, when ample water is provided, the seeds inside the fruits continue to expand and can end up rupturing their leathery peel, resulting in a split.

10. The Ancient Romans used to dye clothes using pomegranates

In addition to enriching their diet, the pomegranates fulfilled another important purpose for the Ancient Romans. To them, pomegranate juice was also a potent dye!

This worked well for the Romans (and many others who came after them) because pomegranates have a high tannin content (19-26%) and can dye cotton and other plant-based fibers quite well. You can also use it on silk and wool, but the result might not be as impressive.

11. Romans also used the rind and root of pomegranates to treat tapeworm

We’ve just discussed a peculiar use of pomegranates by the Romans. Want to hear another one? This one doesn’t involve the fruit’s juice but its rind and root.

Ancient Romans had a special recipe that could treat diarrhea and tapeworm. And while we cannot extract the original recipe, it was found that the roots and rind of pomegranates were its primary ingredients.

More proof of this being true lies in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical papyrus from 1550 BC. It has the record of the herbal knowledge used at the time of the Egyptians and also talks of pomegranate rind being an effective treatment for tapeworms.

12. The pomegranate bonsai is one of the most popular bonsais in Japan

Do you know how tall the pomegranate trees grow? Well, their height generally ranges between 16 and 33 feet. However, what if we told you that these trees come in much smaller sizes as well? Say, 1-2 feet?

We’re talking about the pomegranate bonsai. These bonsais are quite popular throughout Japan, which is considered the homeland of bonsai. Pomegranate bonsai trees are majestic! Despite being so tiny, they have thick trunks, lush green leaves, and even bear fruits! Wouldn’t it be amazing to grow one in your home?

13. The Chinese saw pomegranates as a symbol of fertility

Pomegranates were introduced to China during the ruling period of the Han Dynasty and were seen as symbolic of fertility by the people of the country, a tradition that remains prevalent even today. Many Chinese households hang paintings of bursting pomegranates to bless their offspring with wisdom and positive energy.

14. The Greeks called pomegranates “the fruit of the dead”

The Greeks seemed to see pomegranates in a much different light than the Chinese. The main reason behind it lies in their mythology.

Greek mythology conveyed that the pomegranates had originated from the blood of Adonis as he was dying in the arms of his immortal lover, Aphrodite. Due to the nature of their origin, the Greeks called these fruits the fruit of the dead.

15. In Hindu mythology, pomegranates are associated with the Earth Goddess

Much like in China, pomegranates are also seen as symbolic of prosperity and fertility in India. In fact, Hindu mythology links these fruits to Bhoomidevi or Vasundhara, the Earth Goddess who holds pomegranates in one of her four arms.

16. The heaviest pomegranate in the world weighs 5.7 pounds!

Could you guess how much would an average-sized pomegranate weigh? About 9 ounces. Would you believe us if we said that a Chinese farmer once grew a pomegranate that weighed ten times its average weight? No, we’re not lying.

In 2017, Zhang Yuanpeng, a Chinese farmer, grew a pomegranate that weighed 5.7 pounds (2.6 kilograms)! The fruit was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest pomegranate ever grown.

17. Pomegranates are the national fruit of two Asian countries

You’d be surprised to learn that not one but two Asian countries have declared pomegranates to be their national fruit: Azerbaijan and Iran.

18. Every October, the people of Azerbaijan celebrate the Pomegranate Festival

The people of Azerbaijan take their national fruit very seriously, so much so that they hold an elaborate festival to honor this fruit every October. This festival, held in the district of Goychay, is called the Goychay Pomegranate Festival.

The Pomegranate festival here is celebrated with much vigor, music, and dance, wherein you’ll find fancy fairs of all the pomegranate varieties grown in the country as well as their byproducts. Alongside these, you’ll also notice exhibitions of folklore paintings, potteries, sculptures, and other handicrafts.

The Goychay Pomegranate Festival has gained such wide popularity over the years that UNESCO included it in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

19. A pomegranate was depicted in the official logo of the 2015 European Games

The 2015 European Games were hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan. And because pomegranates are the national fruit of the country, the official logo of this international event was shaped like these fruits!

20. Pomegranates are an important part of the Yalda Night celebration in Iran

We just learned how much significance pomegranates hold to the people of Azerbaijan. But what about the other country that has declared them as their national fruit? Yes, we’re talking about Iran, and you’d be happy to learn that pomegranates are significant in Iranian culture as well.

On Yalda Night, an Iranian festival celebrated on the winter solstice every year, all families in the community come together to feast and read epic poetry. Pomegranates and watermelons are both important parts of this feast, as their color symbolizes the hues of dawn.

21. India is the largest pomegranate-producing country in the world

Among all the countries where pomegranates are cultivated, India takes the lead. This Asian country produces more pomegranates every year than any other country in the world, followed by Iran, China, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

22. Iran is the largest exporter of pomegranates in the world

On the list of the largest pomegranate-producing countries in the world, Iran follows India closely, bagging the second position. However, if there’s one area in which Iran has left India behind, it is in the export of this fruit.

Although India produces the maximum number of pomegranates annually, it’s an equally significant consumer of the fruit. On the other hand, the pomegranate export business of Iran is larger and more extensive, making them the leading exporters of these fruits globally.

23. Afghanistan is called “the country of the pomegranate fruit”

Although Afghanistan doesn’t rank as high as India and Iran on the list of the largest pomegranate-producing countries in the world, it is still called the country of the pomegranate fruit.

Wondering why? It is because the diversity of pomegranate varieties that you can find here isn’t found in any other place. Because of this unparalleled variety, the leading botanists of the world believe the country to be the cradle of pomegranate production.

24. Pomegranates were introduced to America in the 16th century!

Pomegranates’ introduction into America was much later than that of the European countries. It was in the 1700s that the Spanish settlers first brought these fruits to the continent.

25. California is the largest pomegranate-producing state in the United States

Many states of the United States – including Texas, Arizona, Utah, Florida, and North Carolina – grow pomegranates. But none of them can match the vast production of California, which is the leading pomegranate-producing state in the country.

17 Kiwi Fruit Facts For Kids That Will Surprise You

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Let’s get started!

1. Kiwis have Chinese origins

The origins of kiwis can be traced back to the central and eastern parts of China. Researchers have found mentions of these fruits dating back to the 12th century, during the rule of the Song dynasty. During those days, kiwis were not cultivated for consumption but merely collected from the forests for their medicinal use.

2. “Kiwi” is the name of the bird, too!

If you look up kiwi on the web, you’ll find two different kinds of results: the fruits and the birds. Does that make you wonder which of the two was named after the other one? Find its answer in the next fact!

3. Kiwis were earlier called “Chinese Gooseberry”

Did you know that the fruits that you commonly call kiwifruits today were once called Chinese Gooseberries? Yes, we’re telling the truth.

Chinese Gooseberries were the first name of these fruits, which made sense seeing as they have originated in the country. However, in 1959, the similarities between these fruits and the Kiwi bird were first noticed. Both had a brown, fuzzy appearance.

Keeping these similarities in mind, the people of New Zealand decided to name the fruits after kiwi birds, that was the national bird of the country.

4. Kiwis are beneficial for your eyes

Do you know why eating a kiwi can do wonders for your eye health? It is because these fruits contain two carotenoids – Lutein and Zeaxanthin – which are also referred to as eye vitamins.

These carotenoids can absorb all the extra light in our eyes, preventing our retinas from any damage, which could eventually lead to eye diseases like Cataracts in the long run.

5. 80% of kiwifruit is just water!

The water content of kiwifruits is higher than our own bodies! The nutritional breakdown of these fruits has revealed that water accounts for 83 grams of a total of 100 grams of kiwis.

6. All parts of kiwifruits are edible to us

Most of the fruits that we eat today need some kind of preparation. You’ll either need to peel them off, remove their seeds, or chop off their rind. However, when it comes to kiwifruits, you can bite into them right away (as long as you’ve washed them first).

This is because all parts of these fruits, including their skin and seeds, are both edible as well as nutritious. That being said, it’s best to purchase organic kiwis if you plan to eat them whole since the commercially-grown fruits could potentially contain pesticides on their skin.

7. “Baby Kiwis” are separate fruits in the Kiwi family

When you hear the term Baby Kiwi, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? Perhaps you’d guess that these fruits are simply the immature version of the fuzzy kiwifruits we eat, like baby corn, wouldn’t you? Well, if that’s your guess, it’s wrong.

Baby Kiwis, more commonly known as Kiwi Berries and Dessert Kiwis, are separate fruits whose plants belong to the same family as the fuzzy kiwifruits. However, they’re much smaller in size (almost similar to a large grape) and have smooth, green outer skin.

Another difference between Kiwifruits and Kiwi Berries is that the vines of the latter grow much faster than the former.

8. Kiwis are strongly recommended for pregnant women

Women, when they’re pregnant, take a daily supplement of folic acid. But why is folic acid so important? This nutrient facilitates cognitive development in their baby and prevents the risk of neural tube defects.

However, research has shown that the kiwis have such a rich folic acid content that including the acid in their daily diet can be just effective as taking the supplements.

9. Kiwi skin is an effective meat tenderizer

We just learned that all parts of kiwifruits, including their outer skin, are edible. Would you like to learn about another interesting use of kiwi skin?

Just rub it on meat a couple of hours before cooking it, and your dish will turn out tenderer than ever! Wondering how it happens? It is because kiwifruits have a special soluble protein called Actinid, which can help break down the collagens of meat, thereby making it juicier and tenderer.

10. Not all kiwis have green flesh!

It is common knowledge that kiwis are green-fleshed fruits, isn’t it? Well, this might come as a surprise to many of you, but there’s a kiwi variety with yellow flesh!

These are called Golden Kiwifruits, and have a sweeter taste than the regular kiwis. They were first introduced in the Japanese markets in 1998; their export to the European and American countries began in 2000.

11. Some people are allergic to kiwifruits

Kiwis are such delectable fruits that it’s difficult to imagine how anyone could be allergic to them. But if you look at it scientifically, you’ll learn that these fruits have as many as 13 different kinds of allergens!

Kiwi allergy is also quite common in the country. Studies have shown that about 60% of the children who are allergic to other fruits or vegetables are also allergic to kiwifruits.

12. If someone is allergic to kiwis, they’d also be allergic to latex!

Have you ever heard of the latex-fruit allergy syndrome? It is a theory based on clinical observations which indicate that people who are allergic to latex are also allergic to some fresh fruits.

The fruits that are included in this list include bananas, avocados, pineapples, papayas, and kiwis.

13. China is the leading producer of kiwifruits in the world

China, the country where the origins of kiwifruits lie, is also the leading producer of these fruits in the world. This Asian country is followed by New Zealand, Italy, and Greece; however, none of them are even close to matching their numbers.

14. Kiwis are the national fruit of China

China has declared kiwifruits to be the national fruit of their country. It makes a lot of sense these fruits have both originated in their country and are produced in the largest numbers there.

15. Kiwis were first introduced in America in the 1900s

We discussed earlier how evidence of kiwis’ existence in China could be dated back to the 12th century. But did you know that it took these fruits another 8 centuries to find their way to America?

During World War II, the American soldiers stationed in New Zealand tasted kiwis for the first time. Soon, these fruits became popular among them, which led to their first export to America in 1906.

16. California is the leading kiwi-producing state in the United States

The United States of America ranks 10th on the list of the kiwi-producing countries in the world, and it’s all thanks to California. The Golden State accounts for 98% of total kiwi production in the nation and is, therefore, the leading kiwi-producing state.

17. December 21st is celebrated as “National Kiwifruit Day”

Because Kiwis are winter fruits, National Kiwifruit Day is celebrated on December 21st every year, which also marks the onset of winter (the Winter Solstice). Isn’t that a beautiful symbolism?

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