Mahi Mahi could be known from various names such as common dolphinfish, dorado or dolphin. This fish is surface dwelling ray finned which forms school in off-shore temperate, subtropical and tropical waters worldwide. C. equiselis and Coryphaena hippurus are only two taxa in family Coryphaenidae. It could live upto 7 years and is regarded to be the fastest growing fish in the world reaching 15 kg. The diet includes fish, invertebrates and zooplankton. Mahi Mahi has slender, long and tapered body that helps to swim at high speeds. The body and median fins has bands of pigment and pigmented pelvic…

Cusk is a fish with long-body of the cod family Gadidae and are found along ocean bottom in deep offshore waters on either side of the North Atlantic. Cusk fish could be found in rough, gravel, rock and pebble bottoms. Usually it feeds on shellfishes, crustaceans, starfishes, benthic fishes such as gurnard and flatfishes. Having scientific name as Brosme Brosme, this fish has elongate body that measures 4 ft. (120 cm). Cusk fish has small head with downward sloping head and flat lower jaw. The barbell could be found on the chin. It has a flat dorsal fin that runs…

Generally fish Atlantic croaker is rich in mild waters of Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Argentina. It is an important group of fish incorporating parts of Texas croaker, yellowtail and well known, the brilliant. Atlantic croaker has some territorial names such as brocading, hardhead, spot balance, ruler Billie and malcontents. It has got its name from the ability to make low croaking clamor by getting muscles around its air bladder. Still unclear that the croaking is a form of communication within school of fish or a means of depth sounding or mating expression but considered that it make sound often…

Burbot is considered to be the only cod species which lives in fresh water. It is usually found in clean deep lakes or clear moving water. The fish hides itself during day in depth, hollows or under stones. It hunts actively at night or dusk. While young, its diet is gammarids, insect larvae and water louse. After grown to 20-40 centimeters, the diet switches to fish. Some feeds on crayfish, insect larvae, mollusks and other invertebrates. The female matures at 3 years and males mature at 2 years in Central Europe. From November to March, spawning occurs at temperatures below…

Polish sausage is found in few varieties, smoked, fresh containing pork but may contain beef. It is flavored with pimento, garlic and cloves. It comes in 2 inch thick diameter and sold after precooked usually or fresh sometimes. Kielbasa, also called polish sausage, is a versatile and tasty smoked sausage. It is used in main dish recipes, soups, casseroles, stews, appetizers and sandwiches. It is used as a delicious breakfast. Literally, spices are added to the grounded meat with fat. Then mixture is stuffed into hog casings and smoked. It results a flavorful meat sausage which is enjoyed in various…

Being a versatile and inexpensive legume, Soybeans are used in various recipes. Due to its low germination rate, soy sprouts are considered to be done when 50% of them are sprouted. Soybean sprout is a culinary vegetable cultivated by sprouting soybeans. It could be cultivated by placing or watering sprouted soybeans in shade till roots grow long. These sprouts are consumed and cultivated extensively in Korea. Soybeans are crucial part of typical Korean diet due to its oil, protein and other components. Soybean seeds possess average of 20% oil and 40% protein on dry weight basis. Remaining 40% comprises of…

Mung bean sprouts are called sprout green beans due to its green color. These sprouts are culinary vegetable grown by sprouting of mung beans. It is grown by placing or watering sprouted beans in shade till the roots grow long. In East Asia, Mung bean sprouts are consumed and extensively cultivated. Various techniques are used to sprout mung beans. Basically, the common technique is sprouting beans in jar with muslin cloth tied over top with string or rubber band. Then fresh water is poured into jar 3 to 4 times a day. After upturning the jars, it is left to…

Radish belongs to the member of mustard family and probably it was originated in Eurasia. It is one of the earliest recorded cultivated vegetables in the world. The name is derived from Latin word “radix” which means root. Daikon seeds forms tall and lush green sprouts whereas Cherry Bell or China Rose sprouts have touch of pink. Usually, radish sprouts are sprouted from red radish or daikon radish seeds. Radish sprouts possess mild peppery flavor resembling radish plants. Other sprouts are bit bland or dull but radish sprouts make a pleasant contrast with a hit of spice. It has gained…

Sprouted bread is a bread type which is made from whole grains sprouted to germinate before milled into flour. It differs from white bread because white bread is made from ground wheat endosperm. The breads made with whole grain include germ, bran and endosperm which provide much fiber and naturally occurring proteins and vitamins. The nutritional analysis made showed that sprouted grains contains 75% of carbohydrates, 40% of fat and slightly higher protein in comparison to whole grains. Sprouted breads have more trace minerals and nutrients in comparison to non-sprouted breads. Sprouted flour means using the whole kernel i.e. the…

Alfalfa Sprouts bearing scientific name as Medicago sativa, is a flowering plant that belongs to pea family. Alfalfa is known by various names such as Lucerne, California clover, Buffalo herb, Purple clover, and Spanish clover. The plant got originated in Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asian areas where it was cultivated for more than a millennium. The plant bears tiny violet flowers when fully matured. People are using alfalfa sprouts to obtain various health benefits. Until 1970s, alfalfa was not known for its other advantages besides its use as forage. Alfalfa is considered as father of all foods due to its…

Fennel sausage is spiced meat sausage which is incorporated in breakfast, lunch and also dinner dishes. This sausage is made from meat usually pork and is flavored with fennel seed which is a sweet, flavorful and bitter herb. This fennel sausage also includes other spices such as salt, garlic, pepper, sugar and cayenne pepper. Fennel sausage is cut and combined into pasta dishes or is served with kraut and eggs. Being a strong spice, it pairs well with sausages providing more mild flavors. In North American supermarkets, the most common varieties which are marketed as Italian Sausage are hot, mild…

A tropical to semitropical fruit, oranges, are found in an evergreen and small flowering tree which grows 5 to 8 meters tall. The tree bears seasonal fruits which are about 3 inches in diameter weighing about 100 to 150 grams. Oranges are classified into two categories: sweet and bitter. Navel, Valencia, Blood orange and Persian variety is traditional sweet varieties. The related varieties Tangerines are distinguished by loose and easily peeled skin with sweet juicy flesh. In Europe, it is known as mandarin oranges and Satsumas in Japan. Similar to oranges, it also belongs to Citrus Family Rutaceae and scientifically…

A type of German sausage which is made from beef, veal and pork is known to be Bratwurst sausage. The term has been derived from Old High German Brätwurst, from brät- which means finely chopped meat and Wurst means sasuage which is related in modern German with verb braten meaning roast or pan fry. The sausage is enclosed in natural casing and is mostly boiled and then grilled and pan-seared before serving. It is well known in Northeast though people all across United States regard it as a necessity for tailgates and barbecues. Though it could be prepared from different…

A German sausage which is made from pork and ground veal, usually flavored with salt, paprika and white pepper. This sausage is made with large proportion of veal than pork, unlike bratwurst and is flavored with chives and also warm spice flavor of cloves (ground). It might also add other herbs such as parsley and chives. The typical ingredients include white pepper, nutmeg (or mace), parsley and lemon flavor. In Germany, Bockwurst is smoked as well. Basically, Bockwurst is consumed with bock beer and is served with mustard. Usually a natural casing sausage is cooked by simmering or also grilled.…

Black pudding is a blood sausage which originates in Ireland and Great Britain. Usually it is made from pork blood, beef suet or pork fat, cereal usually oat groats, oatmeal and barley groats. Cereal in high proportion with use of certain herbs such as pennyroyal distinguishes black pudding from blood sausages consumed in other parts of world. Blood sausage is known as Black Pudding in Great Britain. German blutwurst is made from beef blood, fatty pork meat and filler such as barley. It is prepared by mixing blood with oatmeal and fat before being packed in casing. Then sausage is…

Gelatin is also known from various names such as Gelatine, InstaGEL, Gelatina, Vegeta, Collagen Hydrolysate, Collagène Hydrolysé, Collagène Dénaturé and Collagène Marin Hydrolysé. It is a colorless, translucent, brittle and flavorless food which is derived from collagen found in various body parts of animal. It is used as a gelling agent in food, vitamin capsules, pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetic manufacturing and photography. The substance which contains gelatin or has similar function is known as gelatinous. Gelatin is the mixture of proteins and peptides produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen being extracted from bones, skin and connective tissues of animals such as…

Generally protein bread is stickier and more expensive containing more calories and fat in comparison to normal bread. Protein bread is a best alternative for those who want to discard carbohydrates but still like to have bread. When the carbs is cut out from diet, it assists in losing weight. This bread is also considered to be dieters dream and also known as Diet Bread. Modern bakery is the first bakery which produces this formulated bread. It comprises 28% of protein and five times more protein in comparison to conventional bread loaf and even higher content of protein than steak.…

The soybean plant (Glycine max) is the world’s most widely cultivated and economically successful legume. Most soybeans cultivated are used as the raw materials for oil milling, and the residues are mainly used as feedstuffs for domestic animals. Although a variety of soy foods have been consumed in East Asia for many years, only limited amounts of soybeans are consumed directly in the United States and Europe. Soybean is a good dietary source of protein and oil. Soybean requires considerably more cooking time than other legumes to have a palatable texture, which may be part of the reason for the…

Pumpernickel is a heavy and slightly sweet rye bread which is made with coarsely ground rye and sourdough starter. It is made with the combination of whole rye berries and rye flour. It was a traditional peasant fare at one time but during 20th century, different forms became well known through supermarkets and delicatessens. Today, European and North Amercian pumpernickel varies in several characteristics which include use of additional leaveners. In North America, flavoring and coloring agents, higher baking temperature, addition of wheat and dramatically shortened baking time. Traditionally, Pumpernickel bread is made with acidic sourdough starter that preserves the…

Literally, tea is the most consumed beverage after water worldwide. It is consumed hot in the East and cold with iced tea or hot with milk in the West. Black tea is a well-known variety of tea and is consumed regularly in Western and South Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Black tea is usually served without milk. It is prepared from tea plant which is scientifically called Camellia sinensis. The oxidation level provides the unique flavor and color ranging from amber to dark brown which tastes savory to sweet. The tea is more oxidized in comparison to…

Italian bread is moist and has thin and crisp crust. Its center is fluffy or light and outside is extra crusty. Italian bread is baked in flat as well as round shape. The loaves are thicker and shorter. Most of the Italian bread is shaped in larger rounds. It pairs well with any meal and is served with dinner or lunch alongside soups, pastas and other main dish. This bread is used to scoop up egg yellow on the plate. When thinly sliced, it is used to make little French toasts. History The preference of cereal divided ancient Mediterranean world…

A bagel which is usually made from whole eggs or egg yolk in addition to dough which contains flour, salt, water and yeast is known as egg bagels. The bagels get yellow tint from egg which distinguishes it from other bagels. All the bagels are made with dough of flour, salt, yeast and sweetener such as honey or malt syrup. Egg bagels have slightly sweeter taste and softer texture. As egg bagels possess eggs, it is an excellent source of protein, Vitamin A, iron and Vitamin B12. History of Bagel The folklore of bagel convey us the message that roll…

Energy drink is a type of beverage which contains stimulant drugs usually caffeine that is marketed to provide physical and mental stimulation. It may or may not be carbonated and also contains sugar and other sweeteners, taurine, herbal extracts and amino acids. It is a subset of larger energy products that possess gels and bars and vary from sports drink that are advertised to promote sports performance. There are various varieties and brands of this beverage. Tea, coffee and other naturally caffeinated beverages are not usually energy drinks. Soft drinks such as cola contain caffeine but are not energy drinks.…

Fruit leather is also known as fruit bar or fruit slab. Fruit leather is made from fruit pulp on dried sheets which possess rubbery and soft texture with sweet taste. It is made from fruits such as apricots, mango, tamarind leathers and banana. Leathers could also be made from combination of fruits. It is consumed as snack foods and also used as an ingredient to make cakes, cookies and ice cream. Its preservation depends on the low moisture content from 15 to 25%, high sugar content and natural acidity of fruit. Fruits leathers which are properly dried or packaged have…

Stevia scientifically called Stevia rebaudiana is a perennial and herbaceous shrub belonging to Asteraceae family. In Asteraceae family, there are more than 240 species of shrubs as well as small flowering plants. This family also includes daisy and ragweed. Stevia is known from various names such as sugar leaf and sweet leaf. Native to Northeastern Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, it is widely cultivated as a source of sweet glycoside compounds that is derived from leaves. It is an alternative low calorie sweetener which is hundred times sweeter in comparison to sucrose. Stevia possess eight glycosides which includes stevioside, rebaudiosides A,…

Lemon plum is a fruit which is imported from Chile and now it has become widely known in Canada and United States. This fruit is sweet, juicy and resemble the taste of plum. Having similar shape of lemon, it has one end rounded and other end with point. Lemon plums got its name due to the bright yellow color when the fruit is unripe and has sour taste. The color turns to dark reddish-purple when ripe from yellow to golden orange. After the fruit is picked, it requires 250 to 300 hours as a ripening time. It has fragrant and…

Whey is the remaining liquid after milk is curdled and strained. It is also a byproduct of cheese manufacturing. It comprises of β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, immunoglobulins, serum albumin and Proteose peptones. It is a complete protein which consists of all nine essential amino acids essential for protein synthesis. Whey serves as a foundational supplement and assists to achieve various goals for both women and men. It is easily digestible and required for building muscles and fat loss when combined with healthy diet and exercise. It is available in powder form also and is well known as sports nutrition products due to…

Pina colada is a sweet cocktail is made with coconut milk or coconut cream, rum and pineapple juice which is served either shaken or blended with rice. It is also garnished with maraschino cherry, pineapple wedge or both. Pina colada is the national drink since 1978 in Puerto Rico. The term pina colada means strained pineapple which is a freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice which is used for preparing drink. In 1954, Marreo Perez claimed to make it in Caribe Hilton Hotel’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan. In 1948, Puerto Rico, Don Ramon Lopez-Irizzary developed Coco lopez. The drink…

White Mango is a large, perennial and erect tree reaching to the height of 30 to 45 meters having bole of 50 to 12 cm. It has a dome shaped crown having massive branches, greyish to brown fissured bark that contains irritant sap. The tree has alternate leaves at end of stout branchlets. Leaves are simple, glossy, elliptic to lanceolate to obovate and measures 7 to 30 cm long by 3 to 10 cm wide. Leaves have blunt or bluntly acuminate tip. Flowers are fragrant, bisexual, pale pink or pale lilac which is borne in much branched densely flowered terminal…

Sake refers to a Japanese rice wine. This beverage is alcoholic which is made from rice after fermenting which has been polished to discard bran. In contrary to wine, alcohol is made by fermenting sugar which is present in fruit naturally like grapes. Sake is formed by brewing process similar to beer in which starch is converted to starch that ferment into alcohol. But the brewing process of sake varies from the process of beer which includes conversion of starch to sugar and then from sugar to alcohol that requires two different steps. These conversions occur simultaneously when sake is…