Crazy Food Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know!

Food is a universal part of our daily lives, yet it often holds surprising secrets and fascinating oddities that many of us are unaware of. From unusual culinary traditions around the world to the unexpected scientific properties of everyday ingredients, the world of food is full of intriguing facts that can astonish and amuse. So, let's delve into some of the most peculiar and mind-boggling food facts that will change the way you look at what’s on your plate.

1. Chickpeas and almonds contain almost as much protein as steak

In a recent chat with EatFirst about plant-based diets, Greg McFarlane, a director at Vegan Australia, mention that it's a common myth that you're not able to become strong on a vegan diet - well, this is a great example of busting that myth.

While eating 100g of steak could contain up to 25g of protein, the same amount of chickpeas contains 21g and almonds a whopping 28g. And if that's an excuse to eat even more hummus, we'll take it!

2. The world's most hated vegetable is one of the best for you

Brussels sprouts may be the most hated vegetable, but it's among the most nutritious veggies out there. It's packed full of vitamins and minerals, has virtually no calories, no fat, no cholesterol, and it fills you up. Better yet, it also has an anti-oxidant that has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and could fight cancer.

3. Caesar salad isn't from anywhere near Italy

Bet you didn't know this. We sure didn't! The Caesar salad was actually invented in Tijuana, Mexico back in 1927. Hotel Caesar owner Caesar Cardini wanted to make dinner for friends, but didn't have much at hand. Lettuce was tossed into a bowl with a dressing made from whatever he had on hand and salad history was made.

4. Some farm-raised salmon is dyed pink

Wild salmon is known for its bright pink flesh, which comes from their diet of algae and krill. Farm raised salmon on the other hand, often doesn't have the same diet. Dye-free farm-raised salmon is actually more of a white/grey colour rather than bright pink.

5. Coriander may taste like soap to you because of your genes

And if it does to you, you're not crazy. According to News Medical, coriander "also has some aldehydes that are found in soaps, detergents, and lotions as well as the bug family of insects."

6. Figs may be plants, but they aren't quite all vegan

As part of the pollination process, female wasps crawl inside of a fig to lay her eggs and, unfortunately, dies during the process. By the time we eat the sweet fruits though, there are no traces of wasp left as its been digested by the fig.

If it makes you feel better, not only is there no trace of the flying creature left, there is also a chance your snack is insect-free. According to SBS: "It might also help to know that many of the types of figs that are grown commercially do not rely on wasps for pollination. Chances are, the figs you picked up at the greengrocers have never felt the pleasure of a burrowing wasp."

7. Nutmeg is a hallucinogen

If you ingest nutmeg in large doses, it works like a hallucinogen due to a natural compound called myristicin. It has mind-altering effects if taken in large doses.

8. The red food dye for Skittles is made from boiled beetles

This one had me feeling a little queasy and I wasn't sure on its legitimacy until I researched it fully. But, yes it is true, a common red food dye, carminic acid, is made from the crushed bodies of a beetle called the Dactylopius coccus. This acid is used in maraschino cherries, strawberry and raspberry flavoured candy, and lipstick.

9. Peppers don’t actually burn your mouth, it's all in your head

There’s a chemical in chili peppers called capsaicin that tricks your mouth into feeling like it’s being burned – that’s why spicy food hurts. The pain is all in your head!

10. Apples can stay fresh for a LONG time

Some apples you buy in the supermarket can be more than a year old! They're still fresh because they were held in cold storage.