Food Facts for Kids
Tasty facts about the food we eat
Natto is a traditional Japanese breakfast food made from fermented soybeans. It is extremely sticky, has a strong smell, and is considered an acquired taste even by many Japanese people.
The durian fruit is banned from public transport and many hotels in Southeast Asian countries because of its extremely powerful and unpleasant smell, which some people compare to rotting onions or sewage.
The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day was popularised as a marketing campaign by cereal companies in the early 20th century rather than being based on scientific evidence.
Quinoa was called 'the mother of all grains' by the Inca Empire and was considered sacred. It is one of the few plant foods that contains all nine essential amino acids that humans need.
The world record for the largest serving of fish and chips weighed 54.9 kilograms and was created in the UK. Fish and chips became popular in Britain after the first chip shop opened in the 1860s.
Seaweed is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and has been eaten in Japan, Korea, and China for thousands of years. It is rich in iodine, iron, calcium, and vitamins.
Ancient Romans believed beetroot was an aphrodisiac, and it was frequently depicted on the walls of famous brothels in the ruins of Pompeii. Beetroot is now known to contain natural nitrates that improve blood flow.
Artichokes were a prized delicacy in ancient Greece and Rome. They are actually the edible flower bud of a thistle plant — if left unpicked, the bud opens into a large purple flower.
Horseradish has no connection to horses. The 'horse' in its name likely comes from an old English practice of using the word 'horse' to describe something large or coarse, as the plant is much bigger than regular radishes.
Toffee apples are a traditional British treat associated with Bonfire Night on 5 November. The coating is made by dipping apples in a mixture of sugar, butter, and golden syrup that hardens as it cools.