Category: Culinary ingredients

According to the ASPCA, the cornflower plant (*Centaurea cyanus*) is non-toxic to dogs and cats, but for humans, the answer to safety depends entirely on what you mean by "corn flower". This confusion can be dangerous, so it is crucial to understand the distinct differences between the decorative plant and the kitchen staple to ensure safe consumption.

With approximately 14 million metric tons of peanuts crushed annually to produce edible oil, a significant amount of solid material is left behind. This defatted peanut material, often called peanut meal, is the primary source for producing peanut powder, making it a valuable and high-protein byproduct of the peanut oil manufacturing process.

Unlike the product created by bees, authentic sugar cane honey, or *Miel de Caña*, is a natural sweetener that comes directly from the sugarcane plant. It is created by boiling and concentrating pure sugarcane juice into a thick, golden syrup. This unique, plant-based alternative boasts a distinct caramel-like flavor, setting it apart from traditional honey.

Fruit pectin, a key component in jams and jellies, is a complex heteropolysaccharide found in plant cell walls. This crucial soluble fiber's chemical makeup primarily explains what fruit pectin contain and its unique gelling properties.

Approximately 90% of the world's commercial bergamot crop is cultivated in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The specific fruit that has bergamot is known as the bergamot orange, a unique and intensely aromatic citrus prized for its essential oil.

Despite being a common misconception, tapioca is definitively not made from rice; it is derived from the starch of the cassava root. This fundamental difference in origin gives each ingredient unique properties, from texture to nutritional content, that are important for cooks and consumers to understand.

The tropical pandan plant, *Pandanus amaryllifolius*, is a staple in Southeast Asian kitchens, celebrated for its uniquely fragrant leaves. Its distinctive aroma, with hints of vanilla, nuts, and coconut, is so prized that the plant is often called the 'vanilla of the East'. This article reveals exactly what is pandan flavor made of, exploring both its natural source and commercial variations.

While the name "China grass" is often used, the substance it refers to is actually agar-agar, which is an extract from certain species of red seaweed. This culinary gelling agent is a staple in many cuisines, offering a plant-based alternative to animal-derived gelatin.

Used for centuries in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, orange blossom water is a prized ingredient prized for its delicate floral aroma. Before adding it to your next recipe or beverage, it is crucial to understand the important distinctions between culinary and cosmetic grades, as well as the key safety guidelines.

Yes, tonka beans contain coumarin, a naturally occurring chemical compound first isolated from them in 1820. This ingredient, responsible for their distinctive fragrance and flavor, is also the reason for regulatory restrictions and safety concerns in many countries.