Brown sugar is actually a white sugar with additional molasses to make it brown. Otherwise it is the same as white sugar. It is a very popular type of sugar that is considered around the world because of if health benefits and different properties than regular crystalized white sugar. Since it is manufactured in a different chemical process than white sugar, it has a different chemical structure and our bodies react little differently to this. This subtle difference makes brown sugar very attractive to the people who want to rebalance their diet, get healthy and gain some of its many…
Author: Sylvia
What is Bone? A bone is actually a stiff organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton. Bones help to support and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, as well as enable mobility. Bones come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have a complex internal and external structure. They are lightweight yet strong and hard, and serve multiple functions. Bone tissue forms the rigid part of the bone and is made up of different types of bone cells. Bone tissue is a…
St John’s weed scientifically known as hypericum perforatum, is an aromatic perennial plant belonging to the genus Hypericum and Hypericaceae family. It is also known as Hypericum, Klamath Weed, goatweed, Millepertuis, Rosin Rose, SJW, Tipton Weed, Perforate St John’s-wort, Common Saint John’s wort and St John’s wort. The herb is native to Europe, but over the years has been introduced to several temperate regions across the globe, mainly in the United States, and is found growing naturally in numerous meadows. The herb derived its name St. John’s wort because it bears golden yellow bloosms that appears abundantly somewhere around St.…
Bottle bush plant scientifically known as Melaleuca citrina, Callistemon citrinus get their name from the spikes of flowers that bloom at the ends of the stems, bearing a strong resemblance to a bottle brush. It is widely used as a landscaping plant due mostly to its adaptability; hardiness and the stunning flowers are a great attraction for native nectar feeding wild life including insects, butterflies and birds. Bottle bush belongs to the Callistemon genus in the Myrtaceae family that is closely related to the Melaleuca tree. The callistemon genus has nearly 40 species within it. The entire genus is endemic…
The paper mulberry scientifically known as Broussonetia papyrifera, syn. Morus papyrifera L. is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae and like all members of that family it has sticky, milky sap. It is native to Asia, where its range includes China, Japan, Korea, Indochina, Burma, and India. It is extensively cultivated elsewhere and it grows as an introduced species in parts of Europe, the United States, and Africa. Apart from paper mulberry other common names include tapa cloth tree and pulp mulberry. It may be confused with the exotic white mulberry and native trees such as red…
Sockeye salmon scientifically known as Oncorhynchus Nerka, is the smallest most delicate of the Kenai Wild salmon family. These wild pacific salmon are the most sought after salmon in Alaska due to their unique flavor and bright red, extra firm texture. Sockeye is derived from the Halkomelem word suk-kegh, which means “red fish.” Halkomelem is normally spoken by the indigenous peoples along the lower reaches of the Fraser River of British Columbia and is one of many Coast Salish languages. Apart from sockeye salmon it is also known as red salmon, blueback salmon and kokanee salmon. It is also known…
Oysters are one type of bivalve molluscs that are consumed throughout the world. There are several varieties of oysters, some of which mostly create pearls and these are not typically consumed by people, but the variety of oysters bearing the scientific family name of Ostreidae are normally eaten as a delicacy. These are also called true oysters, while feathered oysters (those bearing pearls) are in a distant family called Pteriidae. Edible oysters have been a part of the human diet for at least 700 years, but have likely been eaten in raw or cooked forms for much longer. The most…
Dioscorea alata commonly known as purple yam is actually a species of yam, a tuberous root vegetable. Purple yams are similar to sweet potatoes and are known by several names, including purple yam, greater yam, winged yam, water yam, white yam, purple or white yam, guyana arrowroot, ten-month yam. However exact place of origin is unknown it is believed that common yam comes from the islands of Indonesia. The tubers are usually bright lavender in color, hence the common name, but they may sometimes be white. It is sometimes confused with taro and the Okinawa sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv.…
Tuna is a saltwater fish that belongs to genus Thunnus in the mackerel family (Scombridae) which also includes the bonitos, albacore and mackerels. However, tuna belong to a tribe, called Thunnini. This “tribe” consists of 15 species of tuna, most of which are appreciated around the world in some sort of culinary tradition. The fish are distributed throughout the world from tropical to temperate oceans of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. Their delicious taste, global availability, and healthy components make it an ideal replacement for red meat or for those who like to add some healthy variety to their diets.…
Sardines are small, oily fish that belong to the family called Clupeidae. They are also known by the name pilchards in some places. It is named after an Italian island “Sardinia”, where it was possibly first found abundantly. These fish are found mostly in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. According to a report, in the past, sardines were the single largest component of fish harvesting done around the world. They generally come as canned fish and they are commonly known as canned sardines. Although sardines are regarded as a single species, there are actually…
Rainbow trout, which belongs to the Salmo family of fish, is closely related to salmon and Arctic char – two other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. Rainbow is the most widely known trout in the world and is highly sought after by anglers because of their strong fighting abilities. In Alaska, there are two commonly recognized forms of the rainbow trout and these sub-groupings or “forms” are based primarily on where they spend their time feeding and maturing. The most common rainbow trout in…
Rockfish are one of the longest-living fishes, possibly living to 200 years old in the Gulf of Alaska. That means a rockfish on today’s dinner menu could have been swimming the sea when Abraham Lincoln was delivering his Gettysburg Address. The genus name of rockfish is Sebates which actually comes from Sebastos which is Greek word which means “magnificent”. The generic name “rockfish” refers to more than 70 species of fish that all belong to the Sebastes genus. Fish from this group often carry names reflecting their diverse colors, which range from green, blue and red to brown, copper and…
Alaska pollock or walleye pollock is a marine fish species of the cod family Gadidae. Alaska pollock is a semi pelagic schooling fish widely distributed in the North Pacific with largest concentrations found in the eastern Bering Sea. Alaska pollock was long put in its own genus Theragra, but more recent research has shown it is rather closely related to the Atlantic cod and should be moved back to genus Gadus in which it was originally described. Furthermore, Norwegian pollock, a rare fish of Norwegian waters, is likely the same species as the Alaska pollock. Alaska Pollock has consistently been…
Pompano fish, also known as the Florida and Golden Pompano, is a saltwater breed often found inshore and near the shore. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, they can be seen near oyster banks, grass beds, and turbid waters. Pompano is actually a highly preferred eating fish. It is a medium flavor fish with flesh that holds together very well for all modes of cooking, and its shape fits pans and steamers better than most fish do. Frying, steaming, baking and poaching whole or as fillets all work well. The flesh is white except for a darker…
Milkfish (Chanos chanos) also known as bandeng or bangos is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. It is a silver colored Pacific salt water fish that lays its eggs in shallow coastal waters and can withstands low salinity water. It is a popular fish in Southeast Asia and lives in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and to live as a group around the edges of islands and coral islands. Young fish commonly live for 2-3 weeks at sea and then move to the mangrove swamp with salt water, occasionally to a watery salty lake. Milkfish will…
Mackerel is actually a term which is used for different species of fish that belong to the Scombridae family, including Cero, Atlantic, King and Spanish mackerel. This deep water fish is also known as lacento or maccarello. Mackerel can be found in Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean Ocean. Although, they are deep water fish but some of them like Spanish mackerel can be found in near the bays as well. They are found in both temperate and tropical seas, mostly living along the coast or offshore in the oceanic environment. This oily fish can be found in different varieties such as…
Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering “pure white” is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining. The type of bentonite offered by Mountain Rose herbs is a Sodium Bentonite. It is a type of clay found in volcanic ash. When it was first discovered, researchers weren’t familiar with its remarkable properties and…
Rum is actually a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane juice or sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels. It has been a part of the traditional and cultural drink in the Caribbean. But now it is extensively produced and consumed throughout the world. The majority of the world’s rum production takes place in the Caribbean and Latin America. Rum is also made in Scotland, Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Philippines, India, Reunion Island, Mauritius, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, the…
Catfish scientifically known as Siluriformes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. There are more than 3000 species of catfish that can be found on all continents except on the Antarctica. Catfish inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and streams but some species of catfish are adapted to the life in salt waters and caves. Catfish are one of the most farmed types of fish (their meat is consumed as delicacy around the world). Some types of catfish (such as Mekong catfish) are critically endangered due to overfishing and pollution of the water. Catfish have distinctive characteristics with his slick,…
Butterfish are actually a fast-growing, short-lived, pelagic fishes that form loose schools, often near the surface. It is a thin, deep-bodied, more or less oval and silvery fishes of the family Stromateidae (order Perciformes). They are found in warm and temperate seas and are categorized by a small mouth, forked tail, and a single dorsal fin. Like the related rudderfishes (Centrolophidae) and man-of-war fishes (Nomeidae), they also have unusual, toothed out pocketing in the esophagus. The delicate and delicious butterfish is endemic to New Zealand and is a source of several nutrients important for human health, including iodine. Some of…
Anchovies are commonly small, salt water, foraging fish of the Engraulidae family with more than 100 different species spread across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They are normally found in large schools, which make them easy to catch in large quantities, and one of the most popular places to catch anchovies is the Mediterranean, which is why it is such a large part of European, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. Anchovies are small, green fish with blue reflections due to a silver-colored longitudinal stripe that runs from the base of the caudal fin. They range from 2 to…
English muffins are actually small, round, flat (or thin) type of yeast-leavened bread which is commonly sliced horizontally, toasted, and buttered. English muffin is one of those foods that we all eat but we rarely ever give any thought to. But this simple breakfast bread has quite an interesting history, and it a bit more complex than you probably think. English muffin is yeast-risen, and bears little resemblance to its American counterpart, the muffin, which is known as a “quick bread” since it uses baking soda instead of yeast. In fact, English muffins are a lot closer to the English…
Crayfish, also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, mudbugs or yabbies, are actually freshwater crustaceans resembling a smaller version of a lobster, to which they are related; taxonomically, they are members of the super families Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. They are small crustaceans that live in freshwater water habitats in which do not freeze over in cold conditions. Adult size is reached by crayfish in the wild in about 4 years. They can live from 20 to 30 years. Crayfish are categorized by a joined head and thorax, or midsection, and a segmented body, which is sandy yellow, green,…
Meleagris gallopavo commonly known as the domestic turkey or wild turkey is one of the largest and most distinctive members of the Galliformes (a group of game birds which includes grouse, pheasants and partridges). Turkeys are large, ground-dwelling birds with long legs, long necks and large fan-shaped tails and normally 36-44 inches in length. The tip of the tail is usually chestnut-brown or white, depending on the subspecies. Generally, the wild turkey is dark brownish-grey to blackish, with an iridescent sheen to the feathers. The iridescence varies from copper, bronze and gold to green or red. Wing and tail feathers…
The word “salami” includes a range of cured, spiced sausage varieties with a firm texture. It is actually a type of cured sausage that consist of fermented and air-dried meat, normally beef or pork. Historically, salami was popular among southern and central European farmers because it stores at room temperature for up to 40 days once cut, supplementing a potentially meager or unpredictable supply of fresh meat. Countries and regions across Europe make their own traditional varieties of salami. Different meats are frequently used to produce them, though beef, veal, venison, and pork are all fairly common. Salami is usually…
Vanilla planifolia commonly known as Vanilla comes from the long, greenish-yellow seedpods of a fragrant tropical vanilla orchid and is native to Mesoamerica – Mexico and Guatemala. It is a member of the orchid family, the largest and oldest family of flowering plants in the world. It is the only edible fruit of the entire orchid family, which includes approximately 25,000 orchid varieties and over 10,000 hybrids. It grows best in the moist, tropical regions of the world 15-1/2 degrees to the north and south of the Equator. Only two species — Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis are grown for…
Star Apple scientifically known as Chrysophyllum cainito is a tropical evergreen tree of the family Sapotaceae. It is native to the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. It has spread to the lowlands of Central America and is now grown throughout the tropics, including Southeast Asia. Apart from star Apple it is also known as Caimito, Golden Leaf Tree, Milk Fruit, Satin Leaf, Star apple, Star Plum, West Indian Star Apple, Abiaba, Cainito, pomme de lait, estrella and aguay. The tree produces a very popular fruit as well as having a wide range of local medicinal uses and a good quality…
Corn flakes are actually the most popular breakfast cereal, which are made up of toasting flakes of corn. They are packaged cereal product prepared from small toasted flakes of corn, and are generally served either with cold or hot milk and sugar. It is a breakfast cereals made by combining milled corn with sugar Milled corn products are believed to enable easier utilization of vitamins and nutrients as compared to their non-milled counterparts. The cereal was first made by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg in 1894 as a food that he thought would be healthy for the patients of the Battle…
Ghee is actually a type of clarified butter that originated in ancient India and is commonly used in South Asian, Iranian and Arabic cuisines, religious rituals and traditional medicines. The word Ghee actually comes from Sanskrit word which means “sprinkled” and it basically means that the milk fat is rendered from the butter to separate the milk solids and water. Ghee is more concentrated in fat than butter because its water and milk solids been removed. Normally it is made by melting butter and skimming the fat off of the top. You’ll be left with a yellow liquid when it’s…
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy, sardines, herring, trout, and menhaden. They provide about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids in about 3.5 ounces of fish. The best sources are cold-water, fatty fish. Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation in the body and have other health benefits. Nonetheless, fish oil supplement studies have failed to support claims of preventing heart attacks or strokes. When it comes to human…