Tag: Edible alternatives

All parts of the cherry laurel plant, *Prunus laurocerasus*, contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides that release deadly hydrogen cyanide when ingested. Given this potent danger, can we eat cherry laurel? The simple and unambiguous answer is a resounding no.

Studies confirm all parts of the tobacco plant are toxic and contain high concentrations of poisonous chemicals, including the highly addictive and deadly alkaloid nicotine. So, to definitively answer, is tobacco plant safe to eat, the answer is an unequivocal no, and attempting to do so poses extreme danger.

Despite their visually stunning appearance, a hard-boiled egg decorated using the popular shaving cream marbling technique should never be eaten. The simple science behind this is that eggshells are semi-porous, meaning chemicals can seep through the outer layer and contaminate the edible part of the egg. Therefore, it is important to understand why this craft is for decoration only.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), numerous food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to raw flour and cake mix. Despite its tempting taste, the tradition of licking the spoon raises a critical question: is it unhealthy to eat cake batter? The short answer is yes, and for reasons you might not expect.

Every year, people are poisoned by mistaking daffodil bulbs or leaves for edible produce like onions or chives. This raises the critical question for many gardeners and homeowners: Are daffodil petals edible? The definitive answer is no, all parts of the daffodil plant are toxic and should never be consumed.