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Bananas are Berries. Raspberries are Not.

6 Dec 2017

It turns out berry is actually a botanical term, not a common English one. Blackberries, mulberries, and raspberries are not berries at all, but bananas, pumpkins, avocados and cucumbers are. So...

Orange juice follies

10 May 2017

The orange juice market is huge.  Unfortunately some processors try to cut corners by extending the juice with sugar, pulpwash and water.  But the ruse can be detected by some clever science. ...

Hold Your Nose for the Durian Fruit

20 Mar 2017

The durian grows mostly in southeast Asia where it is referred to as “The King of Fruit.” The only problem is that the king needs a bath. While people speak in exalted terms about the taste of the...

Apples and Breast Cancer

20 Mar 2017

There is widespread consensus that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of developing cancer. Evidence comes both from cohort studies and case control...

Pesticides in Organic Produce

20 Mar 2017

You’ve heard of a tempest in a teapot. This is a hurricane in a thimble. I’m talking about a study carried out by Canada’s Food Inspection Agency that found pesticide residues in organic produce....

What is soursop?

20 Mar 2017

Soursop is the fruit of a tropical tree, also known as custard apple, graviola or Brazilian paw paw. It’s a particular favorite in the West Indies and South America both for its tangy taste and its...

Why can't I use fresh pineapple to make Jell-O?

20 Mar 2017

Pineapple, kiwi and papaya all contain proteolytic enzymes, in other words enzymes capable of breaking down protein molecules. And gelatin, the substance that makes Jell-O gel, is a protein....

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