Tag: Food uses

While many assume all chemicals in food are modern inventions, some have been used for centuries to preserve and enhance our diets. We now explore four prominent examples of chemicals deliberately added to food and explain their essential functions in food processing and preparation.

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples in the Americas have cultivated *Canna indica* as a food source, using its large, starchy rhizomes. This ornamental plant, commonly known as the Indian shot plant, holds a surprising history of edibility beyond its decorative blooms.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food and agricultural trade reached $1.9 trillion in 2022, yet this massive economic value only scratches the surface of the myriad other purposes for which we use food. From deep-seated traditions to modern digital expression, the functions of our meals extend far beyond basic sustenance, prompting a fascinating look at what else is food used for.