Go directly to recipes Peas are one of several legumes that were first domesticated in the Middle East around 11,000 years ago. Humans began gathering and eating wild peas from at least 23,000 years ago, and they were probably eaten by our Neanderthal cousins as early as 46,000 years ago. …
Go directly to recipes Closely related members of the cabbage family, broccoli and cauliflower have been cultivated in Italy since the early days of the Roman Empire. Popular in Italian cuisine, broccoli was taken to the rest of the world by Italian emigrants who made it a favourite vegetable in …
Go directly to recipes Corn, also known as sweet corn and maize, was first domesticated in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago, where it was derived from a wild grass called ‘Balsas teosinte’. Its cultivation had spread as far north as New England by the time of the European colonisation …
Go directly to recipes Widely cultivated for its tender, succulent, edible shoots, asparagus has been eaten in the Mediterranean region as far back as 3000BC when it was pictured as an offering on an Egyptian frieze. The ancient Greeks and Romans prized asparagus for its unique flavour, texture, and alleged …
Go directly to recipes Baked beans must have been the original fast food, and they remain the ultimate comfort food. They can be heated and served as they come on toast, either for breakfast, with a fried egg on the side if you’re extra hungry, or as a quick meal …
Go directly to recipes The potato is a native of South and Central America and was brought to Europe by Spanish Conquistadors and English explorers. The potato was distrusted at first by Europeans and either used as fodder for animals, or considered food for peasants. However, it was eventually recognised …
Go directly to recipes The cultivated avocado (Persea americana) has its origins in Mexico, where its existence in the wild can be traced back over 10,000 years. It is believed to have first been domesticated over 5,000 years ago. In the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors learned about the fruit …
Go directly to recipes Spinach originated in ancient Persia or today’s Iran and surrounding countries. From there it crossed into India and then China. It was brought to Europe by the Arabs through Sicily and Spain and had spread to Northern Europe by the 14th century. It was a particular …
Go directly to recipes The potato is a native of South and Central America and was brought to Europe by Spanish Conquistadors and English explorers. Distrusted at first by Europeans, the potato was eventually recognised as being not only a more reliable and hardier crop than wheat, but it could …
Go directly to recipes While tomatoes are usually consumed as vegetables, strictly speaking the tomato is a berry or fruit. The tomato originated in western South America, Mexico and Central America. Its domestication and cultivation may have originated with the indigenous peoples of Mexico and it was used by the …
Go directly to recipes A member of the cabbage family, broccoli has been cultivated in Italy since the early days of the Roman Empire, and was taken to the world by Italian emigrants who made it a favourite vegetable in Britain, Australia and North America. It is a particularly rich …
Go directly to recipes Ricotta cheese is appreciated for its freshness, smooth texture and subtle flavour. It is traditionally made by heating milk until it curdles. The curds are then strained to remove the whey, leaving behind a soft, creamy cheese. Traditional ricotta has a soft and clumpy, but dense …
