Fun Food Facts

Broccoli received it’s name from the Italian word “brocco”, which means arm or branch. Broccoli is part of the cruciferous family, which also includes cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. When you eat broccoli, you’re actually eating the flowered portion of the vegetable.

Broccoli was brought to the U.S. by Italian immigrants, but didn’t become popular until the 1920’s. Now, it’s a summer crop in California and a winter crop in Arizona, making fresh broccoli available year around! 

Fun Food Facts

Have you ever counted the number of sesame seeds on a hamburger bun? There are about 180 on the average Big Mac bun from McDonald’s! In fact, McDonald’s purchases one-third of Mexico’s sesame crop each year to produce their sesame seed buns. Worldwide, sesame seeds are a billion dollar crop, with the country of Myanmar (followed by India and China) as the largest producer. In the U.S., sesame seeds are mainly grown in Oklahoma and Texas. About 1/3 of the yearly sesame crop is used for food, and 2/3 is processed into oil. 

Fun Food Facts

Okra is often called “Lady Fingers” due to it’s slender, tapered pods, which are shaped just like fingers. Fresh okra is delicious in a variety of dishes, but when okra gets really old, it can be used to produce rope and paper. Talk about versatility! This nutritious food seems to be pretty misunderstood, so read on to learn more about how and why you should cook with okra.