Have your students ever wondered what the first thing to be eaten in space was? Or did they know that some people actually have food phobias? With our collection of awesome food facts, they’re in for a treat of a time as you answer all these weird and wonderful questions. You’ll tantalize their minds with an array of snack-centered information while providing them with a feast of knowledge that’s sure to satisfy any cravings of curiosity.
1. Honey Never Spoils
Ancient honey found in tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible. Honey’s longevity is due to its low moisture content and acidic pH.
Learn More: Deep Green Permaculture
2. Bananas are Berries, But Strawberries aren’t
Scientifically speaking, bananas qualify as berries, but strawberries don’t. Berries are defined as having seeds inside the fruit, which bananas have, but strawberries have seeds on the outside.
Learn More: McGill University
3. Chocolate Was Once Used as Currency
The ancient Mayans and Aztecs used cocoa beans as a form of currency. They valued the cacao tree and believed it was a gift from the gods.
Learn More: Science
4. Apples Float Because They’re 25% Air
Apples can float in water because they’re 25% air, which makes them less dense than water.
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5. The Fear of Cooking is Known as Mageirocophobia
This is a recognized phobia and can vary in severity from a mild reluctance to cook to full-blown panic at the thought of cooking.
Learn More: CPD Online College
6. Pound Cake got its name from its Recipe
The original pound cake recipe called for one pound each of butter, flour, sugar, and eggs, making it easy to remember.
Learn More: The Daily Meal
7. The Most Expensive Pizza in the World Costs $12,000
The “Louis XIII” pizza is made with expensive ingredients like buffalo mozzarella, three types of caviar, lobster from Norway, and is dusted with hand-picked pink Australian sea salt.
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8. Peanuts aren’t Nuts
Despite their name, peanuts aren’t nuts. They’re legumes, related to beans and lentils.
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9. The World’s Largest Fruit is the Jackfruit
Jackfruits can grow up to 100 pounds and are packed with nutrients, making them a superfood.
Learn More: A Traveler’s Tale
10. The Most Stolen Food in the World is Cheese
Around 4% of all cheese made in the world gets stolen, making it the most stolen food globally.
Learn More: Times of India
11. The Hottest Chili Pepper in the World is the Carolina Reaper
The Carolina Reaper holds the Guinness World Record for the hottest chili pepper, currently measuring over 2 million Scoville Heat Units.
Learn More: Chili Pepper Madness
12. White Chocolate isn’t Technically Chocolate
Because it doesn’t contain cocoa solids or chocolate liquor, white chocolate isn’t classified as chocolate.
Learn More: Wales Online
13. There are Over 7,500 Varieties of Apples
These varieties come in different colors, flavors, and textures, and they’re grown all over the world.
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14. The First Food Eaten in Space was Applesauce
John Glenn, the first American to eat in space, enjoyed applesauce during the Friendship 7 flight in 1962.
Learn More: National Air and Space Museum
15. The Largest Coffee Shop Chain in the World is Starbucks
It has over 30,000 locations worldwide.
Learn More: Trend Hunter
16. The Most Popular Spice in the World is Black Pepper
It’s found in nearly every part of the world and on almost every dining table.
Learn More: Serious Eats
17. The Tallest Cake Ever Made was Over 108 Feet Tall
Created in Indonesia, this cake smashed the previous world record for the tallest cake.
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18. Ketchup was Sold as Medicine in the 1830s
It was believed to have medicinal properties and was sold as a cure for indigestion.
Learn More: Factourism
19. An Average Ear of Corn has an Even Number of Rows
Typically, an ear of corn has 16 rows, and each ear has an even number.
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20. The World’s Most Expensive Spice is Saffron
Saffron is worth more than gold by weight due to the labor-intensive process of harvesting it.
Learn More: Better Homes & Gardens
21. The Twinkie Originally had a Banana Filling
The filling was switched to vanilla cream during WWII when bananas were rationed.
Learn More: The Daily Meal
22. The First Ever Soft Drink was Dr. Pepper
Introduced in 1885, Dr. Pepper was invented by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, before Coca-Cola was created.
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23. Almonds are Members of the Peach Family
The nut is actually the hard-shelled fruit of the almond tree.
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24. Carrots were Originally Purple
Orange carrots were developed in the 17th century in the Netherlands. Before that, they were usually purple, white, or yellow.
Learn More: ZME Science
25. Cucumbers are 96% Water
This makes them one of the most hydrating vegetables you can eat.
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26. The World’s Largest Bowl of Pasta Weighed 7,900 Kilograms
Created in Poland, this record-breaking bowl contained both pasta and sauce.
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27. A Single Spaghetti Noodle is Called a “Spaghetto”
In Italian, “spaghetti” is the plural form, so one noodle is known as a “spaghetto.”
Learn More: Bon Appetit
28. The First Food and Drink Consumed on the Moon was Communion
Buzz Aldrin took communion shortly after landing on the moon’s surface.
Learn More: Fox 54
29. The Can Opener was Invented 48 Years After Cans
Before then, people used hammers and chisels to open cans.
Learn More: Today I Found Out
30. The Largest Chocolate Bar Weighed 12,770lb (5,792.5kg)
Crafted by Thorntons plc in the UK, this massive chocolate bar set a world record.
Learn More: Mirror
31. The Fear of Vegetables is Called Lachanophobia
It’s a rare phobia that causes an irrational fear or aversion to vegetables.
Learn More: FearOf.net
32. The Most Expensive Bottle of Wine Sold at Auction Cost $558,000
This bottle of 1945 Romanée-Conti wine was sold at Sotheby’s in New York.
Learn More: CNBC
33. The First Recorded Watermelon Harvest Occurred in Egypt 5,000 Years Ago
Evidence of the fruit was found in hieroglyphics on the walls of ancient buildings.
Learn More: Watermelon Times
34. The World’s Largest Pumpkin Pie was 20 Feet in Diameter
Made in Ohio, USA, this pie weighed 3,699 pounds.
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35. The Word “Vegetarian” was First Used in 1847
It was used by the founders of the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom.
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36. The Heaviest Onion was Grown in the United Kingdom
Weighing a staggering 8.97 Kilograms, it holds the title of heaviest onion in the world.
Learn More: Guinness World Records
37. The First Recorded Recipe was for Beer
This recipe was found on a 4,000-year-old Sumerian tablet.
Learn More: Open Culture
38. The Tomato is the World’s Most Popular Fruit
More tomatoes are eaten around the world than any other fruit.
Learn More: The Declaration
39. The Most Expensive Tea Bag is Worth $14,000
Created by Boodles Jewelers to celebrate PG Tips’ 75th birthday, it contains 280 diamonds.
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40. There are Over 350 Different Pasta Shapes
Each shape is designed to hold sauce in a different way.
Learn More: Medium
41. The Caesar Salad was Invented in Mexico
Contrary to popular belief, it was not named after Julius Caesar.
Learn More: HuffPost
42. The First Breakfast Cereal Ever Created Was Granula
Invented in the United States in 1863, it needed soaking overnight before it could be eaten.
Learn More: Smith Sonian Magazine
43. Peppers can Encourage Proper Clotting
Capsicum, found in peppers, may help to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Learn More: Shortpedia
44. The World Record for Eating the Most Big Macs is Over 28,000
This record was set by Donald Gorske, who ate his 28,788th Big Mac in 2016.
Learn More: Business Insider
45. The Guinness Book of Records Holds the Record for Being the Book Most Often Stolen from Public Libraries
The book itself holds a world record for its high theft rates.
Learn More: The Declaration
46. There Are More Than 10,000 Varieties of Tomatoes
These varieties come in a range of colors including pink, purple, black, yellow, and white.
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47. The Longest French Fry is 34 Inches Long
It was made in the USA and is the longest fry ever recorded.
Learn More: HuffPost
48. The World’s Largest Commercially Available Pizza is 1.98 Meters Long
Available in Italy, it’s called “Ottavia” in homage to the first Roman emperor Octavian Augustus.
Learn More: Guinness World Records
49. The Largest Serving of Guacamole Weighed 2,669.5 Kilograms
Created in Jalisco, Mexico, this guacamole helped to promote avocado consumption.
Learn More: Tasting Table
50. The Most Expensive Hot Dog Costs $169
Sold at Tokyo Dog in Seattle, this hot dog is topped with expensive ingredients including foie gras and shaved black truffles.
Learn More: Eater
51. The World’s Heaviest Carrot Weighed 10.17 Kilograms
Grown by Peter Glazebrook in the UK, this carrot set a world record in 2014.
Learn More: Reddit
52. The Most Ice Cream Scoops Balanced on a Cone is 125
This record was achieved by Dimitri Panciera in Italy with a special cone.
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