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 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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Broccoli is a great vegetable for kids to learn about. Therefore, in this article, we’ll share with you some brilliant broccoli facts that will teach you everything you need to know about this vegetable. Let’s get started!

1. The term ‘Broccoli’ has Italian origins

Haven’t you ever felt curious about what the term broccoli means? Well, we’re here to answer your question. The English term broccoli originated from the Italian term broccolo, which translates to the flowering crest of cabbages in English. Quite befitting, don’t you think?

2. There are three varieties of broccoli

While you might find countless varieties of broccoli in the supermarket, all of them find their way back into three broader categories: Calabrese or Heading Broccoli, Sprouting Broccoli, and Purple Cauliflowers.

3. Broccolis are healthier than cauliflower!

Because of the similarities in the appearance of cauliflowers and broccolis, people often compare their nutritional values. If you’ve ever wondered about the same, here’s your answer:

Although the nutritional value of both these cruciferous vegetables is more or less the same, there’s one significant difference: their Vitamin K content. The content of Vitamin K present in broccoli is equivalent to 77% of the DV (daily value), while in cauliflowers, it’s just 14%.

This makes broccolis healthier than cauliflowers. However, we encourage you not to choose one over the other but eat both in moderate amounts.

4. Broccolis are hand-harvested vegetables

While most vegetables are harvested mechanically, broccolis are still hand-picked the old-fashioned way. This is because the mechanical harvesting of these veggies poses a threat to the delicate broccoli heads.

Furthermore, hand-harvesting broccolis isn’t as laborious as you’d think, either. Because broccolis grow on plants that are generally 2.5 feet high in length, the farmers needn’t bend down to pluck them and can simply walk through the beds with a storage container.

5. China is the leading producer of broccoli in the world

Although broccoli is widely cultivated in many different parts of the world, over half of the total broccoli production can be attributed to China.

India and the United States closely follow China in the production of these vegetables; together, China and India account for 75% of the global broccoli production. It’s no surprise that these three countries also happen to be leading broccoli consumers.

6. Broccoli Rabe isn’t actually broccoli!

Rapini, which is also referred to as Broccoli Rabe, is often confused for a broccoli variety due to their common name. But while these vegetables belong to the cruciferous family and are, therefore, related to the broccolis, the two aren’t the same.

It is just because the buds of rapini appear like tiny broccoli heads that they’re named after them.

7. Purple Cauliflower is actually a broccoli variety!

Have you ever seen a purple cauliflower and found it odd? We’re here to disclose that while these vegetables are not cauliflowers at all but a broccoli variety instead. They’re cultivated primarily in Europe and North America and are a popular addition to salads.

But why are these broccolis purple and not green like regular broccoli? It is the presence of anthocyanin in these vegetables that makes them purple. Anthocyanin is an antioxidant that is also responsible for the coloration of wine and red cabbages.

8. People with Thyroid shouldn’t eat broccoli!

Does anyone in your family have Thyroid? If they do, you must warn them to stay away from broccoli, or any other cruciferous vegetable for that matter, and here’s why:

Research shows that the process of digesting cruciferous vegetables can interfere with your thyroid’s ability to use iodine. However, eating these veggies cooked and in moderate amounts occasionally is completely safe.

9. Broccolini isn’t baby broccoli, even if it’s called that

Broccolini is just another cruciferous vegetable that’s often confused with broccoli, although the two appear nothing alike, except for broccoli-like but smaller florets on it. It is probably for this resemblance that they’re called baby broccoli.

This vegetable is actually a hybrid between broccoli and Chinese kale, with their stems, flowers, leaves, and buds all being edible.

10. California is the leading broccoli-producing state in the United States

As we discussed earlier, the United States ranks third on the list of broccoli-producing countries in the world. But do you know which state of the nation has played a key role in putting it third? It’s California. California accounts for over 90% of the total broccoli production in the country and is, therefore, the leading broccoli-producing state.

11. Calabrese Broccoli is the most common broccoli variety in the United States

What would you say if we asked you to describe the broccoli that you commonly eat at home? Bluish-green coloration, medium-sized, fuzzy heads, and a thick, fibrous stalk: is that right?

Well, that’s the Calabrese Broccoli you just described. Named after the Calebria region of Italy, this broccoli variety is the most widespread broccoli variety in many countries, including the United States.

12. President George Bush wasn’t a fan of broccoli

George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of our country, wasn’t a fan of broccoli. In fact, that might seem like an understatement, as the President clearly stated in one of his interviews how much he had hated the vegetable all his life. Bush even went ahead and banned broccoli from Air Force One!

The bottom line

With this, we’ve come to the end of our article. In it, we’ve covered every interesting broccoli fact that you might want to know, right from the history of the term to the fowl opinion one of our ex-Presidents had about it.

Now that you are equipped with lots of fun facts about broccoli, we hope you will be able to pass on the information to your kids or nieces, or nephews. Really, we just hope that you will be able to share this with anyone so they can benefit from it.

Whether you are getting some friends or family members excited about eating their vegetables or if you know someone who has a child struggling with health issues, we just hope this will give everyone something to think about. It is important for everyone – but especially youngsters – to make informed choices about what they put into their bodies and how best to fuel them toward better health.

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