Goji berry/wolfberry is the fruit of either Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense, two closely related species of boxthorn in the nightshade family, Solanaceae.[1]Both species are native to Asia and have been long used in traditional Asian cuisine. The fruits are similar but can be distinguished by small but significant differences in taste, sugar content, and content of the amino acid betaine.[2] Goji is not only used as food and … [Read more…]

Blueberry are perennial flowering plants with blue or purple colored berries. They are classified in the section Cyanococcus within the genus vaccinium. Vaccinium also includes cranberries, bilberries, and huckleberries. Commercial “blueberries” including both wild (‘lowbush’) and cultivated (‘highbush’) blueberries – are native to North America. [1]Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients which have powerful health benefits. These include the ability to reduce DNA damage, prevent aging, control cholesterol levels, and treat cancer. They also help strengthen … [Read more…]

Blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus Rubus in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus Rubus, and hybrids between the subgenera Rubus and Idaeobatus. The taxonomy of the blackberries has historically been confused because of hybridization and apomixis, so that species have often been grouped together and called species aggregates.[1] Blackberry is a delicious and versatile fruit, belonging to the Rubus genus in the Rosaceae family … [Read more…]

Cherry fruits of commerce usually are obtained from cultivars of a limited number of species such as the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and the sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). The name ‘cherry’ also refers to the cherry tree and its wood, and is sometimes applied to almonds and visually similar flowering trees in the genus Prunus, as in “ornamental cherry” or … [Read more…]

Dates is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from the Fertile Crescent region straddling between Egypt and Mesopotamia.[1] Dates are sweet fruits of date palm tree scientifically known as Phoenix dactylifera. They are one of the best versatile foods … [Read more…]

Carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in colour, though purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivarsexist. Carrots are a domesticated form of the wild carrot, Daucus carota, native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The plant probably originated in Persia and was originally cultivated for its leaves and seeds. The most commonly eaten part of the plant is the taproot, although the stems and leaves are … [Read more…]

Dark Chocolate is a sweet, brown preparation of roasted or ground Theobroma cacao seeds. It is found in liquid, paste, or solid block form. The three essential components of chocolate are cocoa (scientific name – Theobroma cacao L.), milk, and sugar. It’s equally dear to the young and the old and to men and women and this mouth-watering treat, which … [Read more…]

Potatoes are one of the most common and important food sources on the planet, and they contain a wealth of health benefits that make them all the more essential as a staple dietary item for much of the world’s population. These health benefits include their ability to improve digestion, reduce cholesterol levels, boost heart health, protect from polyps, prevent cancer, and manage diabetes. … [Read more…]

Brinjal is fruits, originally native to the Indian subcontinent and are now found throughout the world in different cuisines. In England, they are known as “aubergine”, and are also called brinjal, melongene, and guinea squash. These purple or black glossy fruits can grow more than a foot in length in wild varieties, though they are considerably smaller … [Read more…]

Ladies Fingers is a flowering plant that is known in many parts of the world as ladies’ fingers or bhindi and is most highly prized because of its seed pods. [1] The scientific name of this interesting plant is Abelmoschus esculentus and its origin is still unclear. [2] Contrasting research says that it could have been South Asian, West African, or Ethiopian in origin, but the … [Read more…]