Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols — compounds with anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties.

Carrots were originally purple — the orange variety was cultivated by Dutch growers in the 17th century.

Wasabi is so difficult to grow that most wasabi served in restaurants is actually dyed horseradish.

Bread left to rise too long develops an off-taste from over-fermentation — yeast byproducts accumulate.

There are over 350 different shapes of pasta.

The color red makes food taste sweeter — a reason ketchup bottles and candy packaging are often red.

Sourdough bread is made from a 'starter' — a live culture of wild yeast and bacteria that can be maintained for decades.

Ballet shoes are made to last only 12–20 hours of use for professional dancers.

Almonds are a member of the peach family.