WELL I NEVER KNEW THAT

Our food system is fascinating. We have rounded up some of the strangest and most fascinating food facts that you probably never knew.

GREEN,YELLOW AND RED BELL PEPPERS ARE NOT ACTUALLY THE SAME

These vegetables are not always the same plant. Though some green peppers are unripe red peppers, green, yellow, orange, and red peppers are all unique plants with their own seeds.

KETCHUP WAS ONCE BELIEVED TO HAVE MEDICAL QUALITIES

In the early 1800s, tomatoes were believed to have medical qualities. Per Fast Company, a doctor in Ohio in the 1830s claimed that tomatoes could treat diarrhea and indigestion, publishing recipes for a kind of tomato ketchup that he soon turned into a concentrated pill.
 
A TYPICAL EAR OF A CORN ON THE COB HAS AN EVEN NUMBER OF ROWS
 
Ears of corn generally have an even number of rows,which is usually 16.
 
ONE BURGER PATTY CAN CONTAIN HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT COWS

Hamburgers are almost always a mishmash of many animals. The ground beef we buy at the supermarket is made of an unknown collection of muscle tissues.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ISN'T ACTUALLY CHOCOLATE

Despite its name, white chocolate doesn't actually contain any real chocolate components. According to Bon Appetit, the item is made up of a blend of sugar,milk products, vanilla, lecithin, and cocoa butter — no chocolate solids.
 
FARM RAISED SALMON IS NATURALLY WHITE THEN DYED PINK
 
While wild salmon are naturally pink due to the large amount of shrimp in their diet, farm-raised salmon eat differently. In order to achieve that pleasing pink color, salmon farmers add carotenoids (plant pigments) to the fish feed to mimic the natural hue of wild salmon. 
 
THE RED FOOD DYE USED IN SKITTLES IS MADE FROM BOILED BEETLES

Carmine, also known as carminic acid, is a common red food dye that can be found in Skittles, maraschino cherries, raspberry and strawberry-flavored junk food, and even lipstick.
Carminic acid also happens to be made from the crushed carcasses of a beetle known as the Dactylopius coccus.

EVERY BANANA YOU EAT IS A CLONE

Even though there are 1,000 varieties of bananas all over the world, the common yellow fruits you see in the supermarket are all genetic clones of the Cavendish variety. The Cavendish was mass produced, according to the Economist, because it does not have seeds — a desirable trait for consumers — and it survives longer than its banana cousins. 

Since the Cavendish does not have any seeds, it must be cloned by farmers in order to continue production. Recently, agricultural scientists have been worried that the lack of genetic diversity could soon leave the banana vulnerable to threats and extinction. 

So there you have it, a few interesting facts to impress your friends at your next dinner party.

If you would like to see some more food facts click HERE