What Is Cocoa Powder? Cocoa powder is the result of crushing cocoa beans and removing the cocoa butter. Cocoa beans are the seeds of the fruit of the cocoa tree—also called Theobroma cacao. In Greek, the genus name Theobroma translates to “food of the gods.” There are different varieties of cocoa beans, and the most…

What Is Bok Choy? Bok choy is one of the better anti-inflammatory foods in the world. It’s a type of Chinese cabbage, and it belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables that also includes collard greens, kale, and broccoli. Other names for bok choy are pak choi, pok choi, and Chinese white cabbage. There are…

What Is Nutritional Yeast? It is inactive yeast made from beet molasses and sugarcane. Nutritional yeast is often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has yeast cells that use sugar for energy. There are also many nutritional yeast benefits for your health. For instance, it is able to preserve immune function; improve digestion; promote healthy…

What Is Swiss Chard? Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is leafy green vegetable and member of the Chenopodiaceae family. It belongs to the same family that brings us spinach, beets, and quinoa. The leaf blade of Swiss chard can be red or green, while the leaf stalks are often red, white, or yellow. Although Swiss chard…

What Is Black Pepper? Black pepper can be used as a kitchen spice, but did you know it’s also a popular form of medicine? According to research, black pepper benefits those with high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. It may also help with weight loss and cognitive function. Black pepper is considered the king of…

Eating carbs at night may sound like a controversial recommendation, I know. It’s a common belief that late-night carbs are a bad idea because they would lead to weight gain and negatively impact body composition and health in the long run… And it seems to make sense: we’re at rest, so all energy consumed in…

About Linden and Linden Tea Linden tea is a herbal tea made from the flowers, inner bark, or leaves of a linden tree—a tall, leafy deciduous tree that is common throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. The tree belongs to the genus Tilia, and the two most common species used for tea include the small-leafed…

What Are Collard Greens? What are collard greens? Collard greens, or collards, are loose-leafed plants that belong to the Brassica oleracea species and cruciferous family. There are many reported health benefits of collard greens, which may extend to your digestive system, heart health, bone health, and skin and hair health. Studies indicate the vegetable can…

About Echinacea and Echinacea Tea in Brief Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a native North American coneflower discovered and used as medicine by the Great Plains Indian tribes more than 400 years ago. This herbal remedy has an attractive flower with pink, rose, and purple petals. Currently, echinacea can be found in tablets, capsules, tinctures, extracts,…

About Onions and Shallots When you’re following a recipe calling for shallots, it’s easy to just grab an onion from the pantry. Most kitchens have them lying around because of their commonality and versatility. But when it comes to getting the right flavor and texture, choosing onions vs. shallots can make a pretty big difference.…