Tag: Leaves

Native to tropical Southeast Asia, the combava (or makrut lime) is a citrus fruit with a uniquely bumpy rind, but its most prized and edible parts are not always the ones you might expect. While the fruit's juice is often too bitter for widespread culinary use, its highly aromatic leaves and intensely fragrant zest are the main attractions for chefs and home cooks alike.

For thousands of years, oregano has been a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and traditional medicine. When harvesting this fragrant herb from your garden, it is important to know what part of oregano is edible and how to prepare it for maximum flavor.

Did you know that sorrel leaves contain more magnesium per 100g than any other vegetable, according to Aprifel? When considering what part of sorrel do you eat, most people focus on the leaves, but other parts of the plant, depending on the variety, are also edible and offer a similar tart flavor for culinary use.

An important staple food in many tropical regions for thousands of years, colocasia, also known as taro or elephant ear, is a highly versatile plant. Most people primarily associate the plant with its starchy underground corm, but other parts of this tropical plant are also edible when prepared correctly.

The human digestive system lacks the necessary enzymes, like cellulase, to break down the cellulose found in most leaves, rendering them a poor and inefficient food source. In a survival situation, turning to leaves is not a viable strategy for long-term nourishment and can pose significant risks, including consuming toxic species.

Did you know that out of over 300,000 edible plant species, humans regularly eat only about 300? Understanding which part of these plants is used as food is a fundamental aspect of both botany and human nutrition, revealing the incredible diversity of our plant-based diet.

Native peoples have used stinging nettle for centuries for a variety of purposes, from food to medicine. When it comes to brewing a warm drink, understanding what part of stinging nettle is used for tea is crucial for a safe and beneficial herbal infusion.

The vast majority of the cress plant is edible, but the parts you consume depend largely on the specific variety, such as watercress or garden cress. Understanding exactly what part of cress can you eat ensures you can enjoy its distinct peppery flavour to the fullest while benefiting from its nutritional content.

Over one-third of the world's food is wasted annually, and watermelon rinds are among the most frequently discarded items. Many people wonder, "Can you eat all parts of watermelon?" The surprising answer is yes; nearly every part of the fruit, from its sweet pink flesh to its often-discarded rind and seeds, is edible and beneficial when prepared correctly.

With more than 6,000 years of history in Chinese cuisine, bok choy is a versatile vegetable that's been enjoyed for generations. While every part is edible, the stems and leaves offer distinct flavors and textures, making the 'best' part entirely dependent on your desired culinary outcome.