1. Chocolate’s Mind-Altering Effects:
Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a compound that can cause your brain to release the same “love” chemicals as when you fall for someone.
2. Nutmeg is Hallucinogenic in Large Doses:
Consuming large amounts of nutmeg can cause hallucinations due to a compound called myristicin. However, it’s also toxic at high doses, so moderation is key!
3. The Most Expensive Coffee Comes from Elephant Dung:
Called Black Ivory Coffee, this coffee is made from beans eaten and digested by Thai elephants. The process is said to give the coffee a unique flavor!
4. Potatoes Can Absorb Salt:
If you oversalt a soup or stew, you can add potato slices to absorb some of the salt, salvaging the dish.
5. There’s a Fruit That Tastes Like Chocolate Pudding:
Black sapote, also known as the “chocolate pudding fruit,” has a creamy texture and flavor similar to chocolate pudding when ripe.
6. You Can "Cook" Fish with Citrus:
Ceviche is a dish where raw fish is "cooked" in acidic citrus juice, which denatures the proteins, giving it a cooked texture and flavor without heat.
7. Chili Peppers Trick Your Brain:
Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, triggers pain receptors rather than taste buds, fooling your brain into thinking it’s burning.
8. Almonds Need a Lot of Water:
It takes about 1.1 gallons (4.2 liters) of water to produce a single almond, which has led to water concerns in regions like California where almonds are widely grown.
9. Pistachios Are Technically Fruits:
Pistachios are seeds from the pistachio fruit and are classified as drupes, which are fleshy fruits with thin skin and a central stone.
10. Ketchup Was Once Sold as Medicine:
In the 1830s, ketchup was marketed as a cure for ailments like indigestion. It was even sold in pill form before becoming the condiment we know today.