Brussels sprouts have struck fear into the hearts of children (and adults) for decades. Just the other week, my mother chastised me when I ordered a dish with a side of Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera while we were out for dinner. When she was growing up, her mother regularly boiled them and served them plain. No…

Durian fruit is a rather unique tropical fruit that is grown in Southeast Asia, where it’s also very popular. There are about 30 varieties, nine of which are produced to eat. The Durio zibethinus species is the only one available internationally, while many others are only available locally. There are a few distinguishing factors of this…

What Are Rutabagas? Close your eyes and imagine crossing a turnip with a cabbage. What you might see is a rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica). In fact, it’s likely that rutabaga is the result of an ancient genetic cross between turnips and cabbage, making rutabaga a centuries-old genetically modified crop. When it comes to rutabaga vs. turnip, the…

Are you surprised to have clicked on an article about eggplants only to learn you’ll be reading about aubergines? Just kidding—aubergines are eggplants! These often-confused-for-a-vegetable fruits are a member of the nightshade family of plants, and they're used in a variety of ways. The eggplant (Solanum melongena) is prominent in both Mediterranean-style and low-carb diets. It is…

Have you been enticed by the appearance of black rice in some of your favorite dishes or on grocery store shelves? If so, you’re definitely not alone. The mysterious, antioxidant-rich grain, also known as the “forbidden rice,” packs a heavy nutritional punch, is rich in anthocyanins (the antioxidant known for giving blueberries a deep-blue hue),…

A detox smoothie sounds like such a great idea. Gwyneth Paltrow totally loves them. The problem, however, is that all of the “detox” regimens and products out there are completely bogus. Every. Single. One. You’ve got green detox smoothies, vegan detox smoothies, heavy metal detox smoothies, smoothie cleanses, and summer detox regimens, all over the…

Surely you’ve been faced with this pressing dilemma before: cantaloupe vs. honeydew. Personally, I wouldn’t pit them against each other in a heavyweight fight. Both cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) and honeydew (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) are low in calories and fat, and rich in essential micronutrients. Both of these melons come from the cucurbitaceae…

Zucchini, also called courgette, is a popular summertime food, even though it is used year-round in a number of recipes.  Zucchini noodles are a keto-friendly, low-carb alternative to starchy pastas, but this versatile summer squash can be used in many unique ways. It is a member of the gourd (Cucurbitaceae) family and part of the…

What Is Muskmelon? Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that belongs to the gourd family. It is cultivated in a variety of ways, with one cultivar being the cantaloupe. Other types of muskmelon include honeydew, Persian melon, casaba, and Armenian cucumber. Although the term "muskmelon" represents a group of melons, it is often…

What Is Mango? If you’ve never had mango before, now is the time to try it. Named the most widely consumed fruit in the world, mango (Mangifera indica) is the perfect fruit for summer. Its refreshing and tasty flavor makes the fruit a perfect dessert on its own, or as an addition to smoothies, salsas, and…