Gelatin or gelatine (Latin: Gelatus meaning “frozen” or “stiff”) is a protein obtained from collagen. The colourless and flavourless protein is multifunctional. It’s colourless and flavourless. Gelatin originated from the tendons, ligaments, and boiling skin of the animals like cows and pigs. It can be in powdered form, tablets, and even granules. Chemically gelatin is […]

Dill (scientific name: Anethum graveolens) is a weed used popularly as a garnish. It grows in most parts of the world but is native to the Mediterranean and the southern regions of Russia. It is highly nutritious and is an excellent source of various minerals and vitamins. It was used in ancient Asian cultures as […]

Guava, also known as “amrood” in Hindi, is round/oval and is full of tiny hard seeds in the centre. It is native to Central America and has a versatile inner and outer layer. In addition, it also possesses a unique flavour and fragrance. People call it one of the best superfruits due to the numerous […]

Late-night snacking, also called nighttime snacking, refers to eating snacks after dinner. It is a habit of snacking at, or even after, bedtime. If you’re eating late at night, you could just be bored or stressed. Craving salty snacks might indicate dehydration rather than a sign of an empty stomach. And if you’re eating late, […]

Grapeseed oil comes from squishing the seeds of grapes, and the oil is a byproduct of making wine. It is excellent because of the nutritional content it contains. Grapeseed oil is the byproduct of the winemaking industry in the commercial and economic aspects only. Nutritionally, it is not a byproduct, but rather, they derive the […]

Mustard is one of the earliest recorded spices the world has ever known. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family. Scientifically it is called Sinapis. The variations included are Brassica nigra (black mustard), Brassica rapa (field mustard), and Sinapis alba L. (yellow mustard). Mustard has a wide array of usage. For example, as paste, […]

Sweet on potatoes, but worried about the calories they contain? It’s time for you to try a healthier alternative. Sweet potatoes, best known as shakarkandi in India, don’t belong to the same tuberous family as the potato. However, their starchy and creamy texture makes them an ideal substitute for regular potatoes in most dishes. Recently […]

Spinach, a popular green leafy vegetable, is loaded with many nutrients. It is full of iron and has various vitamins and minerals. This cruciferous vegetable is scientifically known as Spinacia oleracea, and it originated in Persia. However, nowadays, it is available globally. The USA and China are the leading producers of spinach.  This anti-cancerous veggie […]

The grapefruit or Citrus Paradise is a hybrid fruit. It is also known as the forbidden fruit, Chakotra, in Hindi. It is a subtropical citrus fruit as opposed to its sweeter counterparts and contains a tart taste. It belongs to the family of oranges. Grapefruits are low in calories, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and fat-free, rich […]

Hemp hearts are the soft inner part of hemp seeds that is appreciated well only after removing their hard shells. It has a mild, nutty flavour. It comes from cannabis sativus. But there are two main types of cannabis sativus that produce:  1. Drug products include hashish and marijuana, and several other compounds with psychoactive […]

Since time immemorial, maple syrup has been an inseparable companion of pancakes and desserts. No Spring is incomplete in Canada, Vermont, and specific parts of North America, the East Coast, and the Midwest, without collecting the raw maple sap and creating maple syrup. Tapping the Maple trees begin as early as January and the harvesters […]

Watching a movie or TV series has been the best form of entertainment lately. Some people watch movies to relieve their stressful daily lives, while others watch them purely for entertainment. But what goes hand in hand while watching these movies or TV series? Yes, that’s right, a delightful snack that can satisfy your palate. […]

Cashew is a significant member of the family of nuts. It is native to Brazil, South America and was brought to India by the Portuguese, who took it to Goa. The benefits of cashew nuts are effective from hair to toe. Ancient people considered it a high cholesterol food. However, some studies suggest that it […]

There are many reasons why you should root for carrots! Carrots are loaded with nutrients and lend themselves to a wide range of delicious dishes. Although the vegetable is popularly associated with improving eyesight, their benefits go much beyond. Historical records show carrots were cultivated in Persia and Afghanistan in the 10th century. However, in […]

Corn is widely consumed worldwide in numerous forms – boiled, corn on the cob, popcorn, and so on. In addition, corn is also rich in nutrients, easy to cook and incredibly delicious. There are several corn benefits. It is a highly fibrous food item, rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and essential micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin […]

Carom seeds or ajwain is a spice available in every Indian household. Although it is pungent and bitter, ajwain seeds offer a unique flavour when added to various dishes. However, the benefits of ajwain extend beyond its aroma and taste. Carom seeds are the seeds of the ajwain plant, Trachyspermum Ammi. They’re a common element […]

Blue mould cheeses are produced worldwide, with the four most well-known varieties being Danablu, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton. The fungus Penicillium Roqueforti is used to prepare blue cheese, determining the appearance of the various types during ripening. The microflora, which includes both lactic acid bacteria and yeast, regulates this development, which is also affected by […]

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that are present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent.  Worldwide there are about 300,000 babies born with SCD every year. Furthermore, the majority in low-income countries […]

Vitamin C, also known as ‘Ascorbic Acid’, is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant. It protects the body from free radicals, which play an essential role in ageing. In addition, it helps strengthen the blood vessels and muscles. However, unlike other animals, humans cannot synthesise this vitamin internally. Hence, our vitamin C intake depends […]

Teriyaki Sauce is a flavourful Japanese sauce commonly used in cooking. People use the sauce as a marinade for various preparations, including meat, fish and vegetables. This easy to make sauce adds a rich, flavourful glaze to dishes. Besides adding a sweet and salty taste to rice, noodles, stir fry vegetables and protein, teriyaki sauce […]

Molasses is a thick brown syrup popular as a sweetener. Molasses extraction happens from sugar cane or sugar beets. First, sugar canes or sugar beets get crushed, and the makers extract the juice. Next, manufacturers boil this juice and these form sugar crystals. After removing these crystals, what is left is molasses. You can repeat […]

Turbinado Sugar is also known as raw sugar. However, it varies from other sugars since its making process involves pressing the sugar cane, which retains the plant’s flavour and the natural molasses present in the sugar. The resulting syrup is heated to crystals and spun to separate them from the leftover liquid. This component is […]

The latest social media trending Green Goddess dressing is creating quite a buzz among vegans and health-conscious people. As the name suggests, almost all significant ingredients in Green Goddess dressing are green, i.e., spinach, dill, basil, mint, chives, jalapeno, shallots, parsley, tarragon, etc., with mayonnaise and sour cream as the base. You can make the […]

Fish is a great source of heart-healthy lean protein. Dining on one or two servings of fish as your protein every week can lower the risk of heart attack by almost one-third. That’s because it contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which lower triglyceride levels as well as help reduce inflammation throughout the body and support […]

Ash gourd is a tender vine, which produces large fruit. Famous as a wax gourd, winter melon, white gourd, and Chinese watermelon, the immature ash gourd fruit has thick white flesh and is fuzzy in appearance. The botanical name of the ash gourd is Benicasa Hispida, with its roots in South and Southeast Asia. Ash […]

Shea butter comes from the nut of the African shea tree, also known as the Karite tree (French for “tree of life”), which originates in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa. Shea trees, also known as Karite trees, are not farmed. They only grow wild, reaching a height of twenty metres and taking […]

Horseradish is a root vegetable from the family of Brassicaceae. Initially, it was used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. However, with its pungent and tangy taste, horseradish has a reputation for providing a robust spicy relish to various dishes. It is from the white root of the horseradish plant. The root itself is […]

Bananas are one of the most widely traded tropical fruits. It is a type of fruit from herbaceous plants of the genus Musa. There are two varieties of bananas, dessert bananas (yellow, ripe, slightly ripe) and green bananas (plantain). With an annual yield of 14.2 million tonnes, India leads the world in banana production.  Bananas, […]

Contrary to its name, The United States of America introduced Italian dressing to the world. It’s called Vinaigrette-type salad dressing. With ingredients like classic herbs, chopped bell peppers, lemon juice, honey, water, vinegar, and sugar, it is one of the best salad dressings preferred by many people. The history dates back to a story involving […]

Locust bean gum comes from the seeds of the carob tree. It is also known as carob gum. If you are hearing about this for the first time, it might sound strange. Why would someone eat gum? But as a matter of fact, it is edible. And no, it is not at all sticky or […]