I don’t know about you, but I love learning new things, even if they are fun, trivial facts. They just kind of brighten my day, and make me chuckle. That being said, I am going to offer you some fun food facts today. Hopefully they are new to you and bring a smile to you as well.
- Pistachios are drupes, not drips, but drupes. š They are in the same family as cherries, peaches and olives. Pistachios are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, which can help people with weight management, protect against diabetes and hypertension and improve digestion. The omega-3 fatty acids present in pistachios can help lower your blood pressure and may also reduce your risk of heart disease.
2. Caesar salad was actually invented in Tijuana, Mexico back in 1927. Hotel Caesar owner Caesar Cardini wanted to make dinner for friends, but didn’t have much at hand. Lettuce was tossed into a bowl with a dressing made from whatever he had on hand and salad history was made. This is new to me. I had always heard it was made and named after the old famous actor Caesar Romero.
3. In Spain and Mexico, avocados are called alligator pears due to their shape and bumpy, green skin, but in China and India they call them butter pears. Avocados must be picked when matured in order to ripen, which can take between 1-2 weeks.
4. You would think with names of states that both California rolls and Hawaiian pizza were American inventions. Nope. They were both created by our northern Canadian neighbors. California rolls were created by for the first time in Vancouver, British Columbia, by chef Hidekazu Tojo. As for the pizza, that was an experiment by Greek-Canadian Sam Panopoulos. According to Time Magazine, the name “Hawaiian” was given based on the brand of pineapple the chef was using at the time.
5. Bananas, pumpkins and lemons are berries, but raspberries are no. What???? Raspberries (along with strawberries and blackberries) are actually apart of the rose family. The way botanists categorise fruits means that “berries” are all developed from the ovary of a glower and have three layers – the skin, the flesh that we eat and the seeds. Sometimes you can eat the skin, sometimes you can’t. Sometimes you can eat the seeds, sometimes you can’t. I’m so confused now. What about you?
See all the fun things you can learn from “A Jeanne in the Kitchen”. I bet you didn’t know all of this before, but now you do. So if these ever come up in a game of trivial pursuit, you will have the answers. š
Have a great day and make everyday great. Life is what you make it, so make it great. May 2026 be filled with happiness, good health and prosperity for all. ‘Til next time.
A Jeanne in the Kitchen 