Brigitte MarsEggplants (Solanum melongena) are members of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family, making them relative to tomato, green pepper and tobacco. It’s species name, melongena, means “soothing mad apple,” as it once had a reputation of...
Endive (Cichorium endiva) and escarole (Cichorium species) are members of the Asteraceae (Daisy) Family and native to Eurasia and northern Africa. Colonists brought the plants to North America and Thomas Jefferson, amongst others, grew it as a...
Figs (Ficus carica) are members of the Moraceae (Mulberry) Family. Native to the area of the Middle East and Mediterranean, they are mentioned frequently in The Bible. Buddha became enlightened while sitting under a bo tree, a species of fig (Ficus...
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, C. decumana) is the largest member of the Rutaceae (Citrus) Family. Grapefruit was grown in India and Malaysia more than 4,000 years ago; however, grapefruit was “discovered” on Barbados and by 1880, had...
Grapes (Vitis vinifera), members of the Vitaceae (Grape) Family, are one of the planet’s earliest cultivated foods. The genus name, vitis refers to “vine” and the species name, vinifera means, “wine bearing.” Believed...
Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, P. tuberosus), (pronounced HEE-ka-ma), is native to Central America, where it is also known as Yam Bean or Mexican Turnip. The genus name, Pachyrhizus is derived from the Greek and means “thick root.” The...
Kale (Brassica oleracea) is a member of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family, making it a relative of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Native to Asia Minor, it is considered the closest relative to wild cabbage. The species name, oleracea means...
Celery (Apium graveolens) is a member of the Apiaceae (Parsley) Family and a relative of dill and carrots. The genus name, is derived from the Latin, apis, meaning bee, as bees are attracted to its small white flowers. The species name gravelones...
Kiwifruits (Actinida chinensis), are a member of the Actinidiaceae (Kiwi) Family, and developed from a smaller, less flavorful Chinese gooseberry. The genus name Actinida is from the Greek aktin, meaning, “ray,” describing the ray-like...
Chayote (Sechium edule) (pronounced chy-O-tay) is also known mirliton, vegetable pear, sapote, huisquil, mango squash, pear squash, and custard marrow. It is a member of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family. It has a flavor considered a blend of apple...
