Wine is made by fermenting the grapes. It is fermented without adding acids, sugars, water, enzymes and nutrients because the sugar is consumed by the grapes which are converted into carbon dioxide and ethanol. The various strain of yeasts and grapes forms various wine styles. The fruits and rice is used to produce wine. The evidence shows that the wine production was started in Iran, Georgia, Armenia and Greece. From its origin, wine is regarded as religious due to the altered consciousness. The wine was consumed as a ritual in the Jewish since the times of Biblical. Nominally Islam banned…

Beef is the cattle meat such as bulls, heifers, cows or steers. The muscle of the beef meat could be cut into short ribs, roasts or steak. The cuts are also used minced, ground or used in sausages. It is a source of food which differs in the various parts of the world. Blood is used to make the blood sausage. The beef of the heifers and steers are very much identical. Brazil, India and Australia are considered as the highest exporter of beef in the year 2015. The other economies who produce beef are Canada, Uruguay, Mexico, Paraguay, Belarus,…

The name is derived from the lactic bacteria which are used for the fermentation for souring. The fermentation process helps to make the cream more acidic and also thickens it. Artificially, rennet, gelatin, carrageenan and guar gum is used to sour the cream. It contains low amount of butterfat from 18 to 20 percent. It is used to dress salads and baking. It is a vital ingredient used for breakfast. Sour cream is used as a condiment in soups. It is called la crema agria in Spanish. Traditional or Regular Sour Cream, Reduced Fat Sour Cream and Non-fat Sour Cream…

Rosewater is made by soaking rose petals in the water. It is extracted from the distillation of rose petals. It is also used as a component in the medical or cosmetic preparations. It has distinct flavor. Rosewater is used to make rose syrup by adding sugar. It possess antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The anti-bacterial properties found in rosewater helps to provide relief from cuts, scars and wounds. It acts as a conditioner which helps to rejuvenate the growth of hair. It is also used in making perfumes. The ointment made from rose water acts as an emollient and also…

Beer is an alcoholic beverage which is made from the brewing method that contains the starch fermentation which is the derivative of malted barley, maize, wheat and rice. Hops are used as flavoring agent that acts as a natural preservative and adds bitterness to the beer. Brewing is the process which is used to make beer. It converts the source of starch to sugary liquid which is known as wort and this wort is turned into an alcoholic beer known to be beer by the fermentation process. The brewing process clarifies the fluid and gives a bright color to the…

Yogurt is the food which is made by fermenting the milk. The bacteria which are used for fermentation is called yogurt cultures. The bacteria named Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus are used for fermentation. The cow’s milk is mostly used to make yogurts. Locally, the milk of buffalo, ewes, goats, mares, yaks and camels are used to make yogurts. Yogurts are believed to be originated in 5000 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Yogurt is also called yoghurt or yoghourt. It is known as Joghurt in German; giaoúrti in Greek; yogur in Spanish; yogurt in Italian; yaourt in French; dahee…

Milk is known as the pale liquid which is considered as the vital source of nutrients. The lactation milk has colostrum which transfers the antibodies of mothers to the young infants that prevents the body from various diseases. Humans and other mammals produce milk in order to feed offspring. The milk of sheep, goats etc is used but the cow’s milk is mostly preferable. It contains various nutrients that helps to prevent the number of health ailments. Milk provides smooth skin, strengthens bones, prevents illness; enhance immune system, treats dental decay, hypertension, respiratory ailments, osteoporosis and obesity. Nowadays various alternatives…

Cream is a yellow component which is extracted from the milk. The less dense fat rises to the top in un-homogenized milk. This process is speed up with the use of centrifuges and it is called separators. Cream homogenization lowers the size of fat globules which makes it appropriate for whipping. On the content of the butter fat, the cream is divided into various grades. It contains high amount of saturated fat. It is added to various dishes and also consumed with fruit. The cream which is made from the milk of goat is white. The cattles which graze on…

Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen vine along with prickly stems. Common smilax, Rough bindweed, Sarsaparilla, Mediterranean smilax, Prickly-ivys, Catbriers, Greenbriers, Wild Sarsaparill, Smilaxes, Rough Bindweed, Prickly ivy, The Common Smilax, Rough Smilax, Italian Sarsaparilla and Mediterranean Smilax are the common names of Smilax. The plant of Smilax is cultivated on the banks of Magadalena which was collected in 1805 by Humboldt. It is known as Sarzaparilla by the native people. It was sent to Jamaica and Carthagena. The stems are flexible and delicate with sharp spines. It bears flowers from September to November. Plant The deciduous plant grows upto…

Flacourtia indica is a species of the flowering plant in the family Flacourtiaceae or Salicaceae. It is native to Asia and Africa. It is widely grown for its edible fruit. Common names include Batoko plum, Madagascar plum, Indian plum, Rhodesia plum Mauritius plum, Ramontchi, Kangu, Governor’s Plum, Flacourtia, Batoka Plum, Rhodesia plum, Botoko plum, Paniala, Ceyon plum and Bilangra. Fruits are eaten raw or cooked in the culinary uses. It is also used for medicinal purposes. The species of the tree grows to 15 meters tall. The branches are spiny and drooping. The tree has rough, pale, powdery, grey to…

Setaria italic with many common names including Chinese Millet, Foxtail Bristle Grass, Dwarf Setaria, Foxtail Millet, Hay Millet, German Millet, Giant Setaria Hungarian Millet, Japanese Millet, Italian Millet, Red Rala, Liberty Millet and Hungarian millet is a grass species which is used as a crop. Foxtail millet is adapted to well-drained soils. Foxtail millet is an annual grass whose plants reach an average height of 60-150 cm. The seeds are convex oval or elliptical and light yellow to brown, rusty or black in color. It is known as Bertia in Hindi; Panico Degli Uccelli in Italian; Awa in Japanese; Sekui…

Abroma augusta is a species of the flowering plant in the genus Abroma, family Malvaceae. Commonly known as Devil’s Cotton and Ulat kambal, it is a small tree with downy branchlets and branches. Its flowers are 5 cm in diameter either purple, dark red or yellow. Its leaves are ovate to oblong and pointed. The species grows as a large shrub or small tree which is 2.5 m tall. Leaves are 10-21 cm long and 5.5-13 cm wide with a heart shaped or ovate to oblong. It has lance shaped and fused base sepals. There are five, concave and prolonged…

Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as Creat, Nilavembu, Green chireta, Chuan Xin Lian, Kirayat, King of Bitters, kalmegh, India echinacea, sambiloto, kiryat, is a small herbaceous and evergreen plant of the family Acanthaceae or subfamily Acanthoideae and is native to Sri Lanka and India. The plant is about 30-100 cm (12-43 inches) in height. It is also used in traditional medicine. The study shows that this plant helps to counteract the diseases such as infections, cancer, heart attacks, blood clots, diabetes, herpes, cold, gall bladder ailments, flu and fever. It also helps to prevent the allergies. History It is sophisticated in…

Abrus precatorius, also known as Bead vine, Coral bean, Coral bead plant, Licorice vine, Crabs eye, Love bean, Prayer beads, Lucky bean creeper, Precatory pea, Prayer bean, Red bead vine, Rosary pea, Rosary bean, Weather vine, Weather plant, Black-eyed Susan, Indian licorice, Coral-beadplant, Jequirity, Jamaican licorice, Jequirity bean, Jumble beads and Jumbie beads is the genus in the flowering plants that belongs to the (pea) family Fabaceae. These branching, deciduous vines are chiefly native to India and tropical Asia. The seeds produced by this plant is extremely poisonous but is used to make jewellery and to treat various health ailments.…

Sisymbrium with its scientific name Sisymbrium officinale, is also called Hedge mustard, Oriental mustard, Tumbling mustard, Indian hedge mustard, Wild mustard, Oriental rocket mustard, Oriental rocket, Mustard, Common hedge mustard, Erysimum and English water cress. It is native to Europe, Mediterranean and belongs to the family Brassicaceae/Cruciferae. Sisymbrium officinale is widely available in the European countries, North Africa and Southeast Asia. It got introduced to South and North America, Australia and South Africa. This plant is widely grown for the edible seeds and leaves. It is an annual plant which bears flowers from July to September. It has hairy stems…

Rhamnus purshiana, commonly known as Cascara Sagrada and Cascara, is a small tree or large shrub, evergreen plant of the Rhamnaceae family. It is also used in the traditional medicine. It is also known as Cascara buckthorn, Bearberry, Sacred Bark, Persian bark, Purshiana bark, Chittum bark rhamnus purshiana, Chitticum and California buckthorn in English among various names in other languages. It is native to Western North America (Southern British Columbia, South to Central California and East to Northwestern Montana). This plant prefers warmer climates and thrives in well-drained soil. History The dried bark of Cascara was used by Immigrant Euro-Americans…

Passiflora quadrangularis, Square-stemmede passion flower, Giant granadilla, Granadilla, is a species of flowering plant native to Neotropics. It is an herbaceous and glabrous vine which is woody at base growing to 10-15 m long with broad to ovate leaves and white flowers tinged with purple or pink. The oblong greenish to white fruit, growing to 20-30 cm is edible. This showy plant has invited various common names. In Chinese it is called da guo xi fan lian, in French it is barbadine, in Spanish badea and others. The fruit is consumed raw, juiced, cooked or added to the salads as…

Quercus, commonly known as Acorn, Chinquapin oak, Chinkapin oak, Yellow chestnut oak, English oak or Pedunculate Oak, is a species of the oak tree native to Northern Hemisphere. It belongs to the beech family Fagaceae. An acorn is 1-6 cm long and 0.8-4 cm broad. It is widely cultivated in the temperate climates and prefers slightly acidic and well-drained soils. Oak is considered as the national plant of USA, France, England, Poland, Germany, Latvia and Serbia which represents endurance and strength. It is an evergreen or deciduous tree or shrub which measures about 70 feet in height and 9 feet…

Larrea tridentate (commonly known as Black bush, Creosote bush, Chaparral, Creosote bush, Dwarf Evergreen Oak, Creosotum, Gobernadora, Greasewood, Grease bush, Guamis, Jarilla, Hediondilla, Paloondo, Kreosotestrauch, creosote, hediondilla, Kreosotstrauch, kreosotbuske, gobernadora) is a plant indigenous to the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahuan Deserts. It typically lives up to hundred years. It is a drought tolerant and evergreen shrub which grows up to 2-4 m in height and 1.8 m wide. Barks are smooth and gray initially which turns to darker. Stems are numerous and flexible. Leaves are alternately arranged, thick, resinous, waxy, yellow to green and 12-25 mm long. The leaflets are…

Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, the fruit which is cultivated the region of Caspian Sea of Northern Iran for 3000 years ago native to southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe from Northern Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasus and North eastern Iran. It is a large shrub or small deciduous tree, which is cultivated for its reddish brown fruit and also cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also known as Medlar, Common medlar, Medlar Tree, néflier, deutsche, Mispelbaum, Mispel, níspero común, nespereira, níspero europeo and mispel. Medlar requires temperate climates and prefers well drained and…

Asian Pear is the member of the genus Pyrus L. in the family Rosaceae which includes pears and apples. Pyrus pyrifolia is also called Asian Pear, Chinese Pear, Apple Pear, Japanese Pear, Korean Pear, Nashi Pear, Nashi, Sand Pear, Oriental Pear, sandpäron and Taiwanese pear. It is a small to medium sized deciduous tree which has a pome fruit with pale dots and has brown or yellow, reddish-brown color. It has attractive white flowers. The tree of Asian pear grows in a temperate climate and prefers deep, well-drained soils. The branchlets are terete, purplish brown when young which turns to…

Berberis aristata, also known as Indian Barberry, Nepal Barberry, Tree Turmeric, Darlahad and Ophthalmic barberry is a shrub which belongs to the family Berberidaceae and genus Berberis which composes from almost 450 to 500 species. It produces succulent and acidic berries which are often consumed as a refreshing fruit. The shrub is native to Himalayas in India and Nepal. The plant is mostly found in Himalayas, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and in the hilly areas of Nepal. It is at height of 2000 to 3000 meters in Himalayan region, Sri Lanka, Nilgiri hills in South India, Bhutan and Hilly areas of…

Asam gelugur, with its scientific name Garcinia atroviridis, is a plant species native to Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and India. It is a perennial plant with drooping branches, smooth grey bark and grows up to 20 m in height. The fruits are consumed raw or added to various dishes, soups and curries. The color of the fruit ranges from yellow to orange. Garcinia atroviridis is also known as Asam gelugor, Gelugor, Asam gelugo and Som-Khaek. It belongs to the family Clusiaceae (alt.Guttiferae).Typically the fruit weighs between 300-500 g. Traditionally, it is used to treat various health ailments such as earache,…

Baccaurea angulate commonly referred to as Red Angled Tampoi and Wild Carambola, is the fruit of Euphorbiaceae family which is native to Borneo. The fruit is edible which is also made into pickles, jams or added to various dishes. Red Angled Tampoi is a medium sized tree which prefers moist, well drained and fertile loamy soils. The tree grows upto 6-21 m in height. The fruit is about 5 cm by 2.5 cm in size, obovoid, 5-6 angled and star shaped. The fruit has thick skin with white flesh. Each fruit can have globose-ellipsoid, flattened, dicotyledonous, cream-greenish seeds of size…

Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia), also known as Lemon China, Lime Chinese, Limeberry, Trifoliate Limeberry, Lime Orange Berry, Triphasia, Trifoliate Limeberry or Triphasia Limeberry, is a perennial shrub or small tree that produces an edible fruit. It is the plant species in the family Rutaceae. It is grown for its edible fruits and medicinal purposes. The tree is erect and glabrous which bear flowers during Late Winter or Early Spring. The fruits of this plant are orange or crimson berry that has the flavor which is reminiscent to sweet lime with acid sweet taste. History It is believed to have originated from…

Bullock’s Heart is the fruit of Annona reticulate of species Annona which is generally thought to be native of the West Indies, possibly in Antilles. Bullock’s heart prefers warm and tropical climates with low lying, deep and rich soil. The plant has the trunk diameter of 25-35 cm having light yellow inner bark. The fruits are ovoid to cordate in shape with mild sweet white flesh. The seeds inside the fruit are numerous, compressed and glossy. Each fruit weighs about one or two pounds. Other names of Bullock’s heart are: Bullock’s heart, Common Custard Apple, Custard apple, Jamaican Apple, Ox heart,…

Rowan berry, with scientific name Sorbus domestica, is a small deciduous tree in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the Western, Central & Southern Europe, Northwest Africa and Southwest Asia. Rowan berry tree produce an edible fruit and is cultivated for both the domestic and commercial purposes. Most Rowan berries are processed into the products such as sauce, juice, jam, wine and also dried. It performs well in a moist soil with cold climate. The plant bears flowers from Late April to Mid-May and fruits from July to October. The plant usually lives up to 100 years in wild. Some…

Eugenia uniflora is a tropical fruit bearing shrub or small tree in the family Myrtaceae. Common names include Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Florida Cherry, Surinamkirsche, Surinam-Kirschmyrte, Cayena, nagapiry, Barbados cherry, French cherry, Pitanga cherry and Red Brazil cherry. Surinam Cherry is native to tropical South America (such as Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Northern Argentina). It is widely cultivated in Tropical regions. It prefers well-drained soil. The varieties of Surinam Cherry are: Common bright red and Rare dark crimson-nearly black. The plant flowers during September. It fruits two to three times in a year. History Surinam Cherry found…

Vaccinium reticulatum is a species within the family Ericaceae commonly referred to as Ohelo Berries. This particular species is also known by the common names Tree Ohelo and Ohelo Kau La’au. It is available at high elevations on an Islands of Hawaii and Maui. It grows well in subtropical, tropic or Mediterranean climates and well-drained soils. It is a perennial plant which bears flower during April to September and fruits on autumn. Plant Vaccinium reticulatum is the small and evergreen shrub growing upto 0.1-1.3 m (0.33-4.27 ft.) in maximum height. An evergreen leaves are spirally arranged, oval, leathery, red, green…

Long jack, also known as Ali’s Walking Stick, Ali’s Umbrella, Long Jack, Tongkat Ali, Malaysian Ginseng, Picroxylon Siamese, Manotes Asiatica, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Simaroubaceae. Long jack are monoecious or dioecious shrub. Eurycoma longifolia is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. It is adapted to grow in well-drained soils. The flowers are densely arranged which later turns to an ovoid and brownish red fruit. Leaves are pinnately arranged with ovate to lanceolate leaflets. History It is indigenous to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. It is primarily planted in…