Ten Unusal Tasty Food Bites

Sometimes it is just fun and interesting to share odd bits of information with those around you; whether it is just to show off or just learning something new. This article deals with just that, interesting bits of food information from strange names to bits of information about some of the more well known foods around us. So here we go:

1. Prunus armeniaca. This is just another word for Apricot. The formal word is Latin and translates to "Armenian plum". (Source: Wikipedia)

2. Persea gratissima. Say hello to the Avocado. It has also been dubbed the "butter pear" due to its texture and mouth feel. However, in Nahuati, the avocado is also known as the "Testicle Tree". (Source: Suite 101)

3. Phoenix dactylifera. This is a lovely word for the Date Palm. A tree takes four to seven years to grow before it starts producing fruit; however, it takes a total growth time of seven to ten years to be able to be commercially produced. (Source: Wikipedia)

4. Ficus carica. Your common fig. The fig predates the domestication of wheat, barley and beans. (Source: Suite 101)

5. Actinidia deliciosa. This fuzzy fruit is also known as the Kiwifruit or Chinese Gooseberry and is the national fruit of China. The flavor has often been compared as a cross between a gooseberry and a strawberry. (Source: Tradewinds Fruit)

6. Fragaria Ananassa. We see these every summer - Strawberries. The strawberry is the most important fruit crop and widely grown in all temperate regions of the world. (Source: The Garden Helper)

7. Brassica oleracea. Otherwise known as Wild Mustard. Its history is not clear before Greek times and has been bred to into such plants as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. (Source: Answers.com)

8. Daucus carota. This odd name means that it is a wild carrot or better known as Queen Anne's Lace. The root is only edible while it is young, otherwise it become rough and fibrous. Like all wild plants, care should be taken when harvesting and make sure that you have the right item. This plant was dubbed Queen Anne's Lace because the flower resembles lace while the red flower that is in the center of the plant resembled a drop of blood that the Queen dropped on a piece of lacework when she pricked her finger. (Source: Connecticut Botanical Society)

9. Cucumis sativus. Care to take a guess? It is eaten in almost every salad. That is right - it is the cucumber. Cucumbers are one of the few fruits (yes, it is considered a fruit because its seeds are on the inside) that is eaten when it is not ripe. If the cucumber is allowed to become ripe and turn yellow, it will be bitter and sour. (Source: Wikipedia)

10. Cynara cardunculus. This is on of the more unusual foods on the market - it is called a cardoon or artichoke thistle. The white flower bulbs can be eaten much like artichokes; however, it is the stems that are more widely consumed. Further, it is one of the few vegetarian sources of enzymes for cheese production. This will give the cheese and earthy, herbaceous and slight citric flavor. (Source: Wikipedia)