15 Food History Facts That Sound Made up but Aren’t

Explore food history full of unbelievable facts, from intriguing origins of ingredients to ancient civilizations' peculiar eating habits. Discover 15 facts that'll amaze you.

Lobsters Were Once Used as Fertilizer in the US

"Lobsters, once abundant and used as fertilizer in the 17th-18th century America, became a delicacy with the advent of railroads and canning processes, causing their population to drop."

Carrots Orange Color Is a Mutation

Orange carrots were initially white, yellow, or purple. They were bred orange by 17th century Dutch growers to honor their national color and ruling family.

Ketchup Was Originally Made With Fish

Ketchup's history goes back to ancient China. It became popular in Europe in the 18th century but with fish guts and spices, not tomatoes. Tomatoes were added in the mid-19th century.

The Ancient Greeks Made Waffle Irons

Waffles date back to ancient Greece, long before the 15th-century waffle iron. Using flat irons with designs, they made tasty waffle-like treats.

Spanish Conquerors Used Avocado Seed Ink for Legal Documents

16th century Spanish conquerors saw avocados as wealth symbols and used their seeds to make red ink for documents, believed to shield counterfeits.

Native Americans Invented Popcorn

Popcorn, a movie theater staple, was first discovered by Native Americans and enjoyed as a fire-popped snack.

The World’s Hottest Pepper Was Used as Elephant Repellent

The Ghost Pepper, the world's hottest, was used as elephant repellent by Northeast Indian farmers.

French Military Invented Mayonnaise

In 1756's Seven Years’ War, French forces sieged Minorca creating a sauce of eggs and oil for soldiers. They didn’t capture the fort but born was mayonnaise.

The First Meal Eaten on the Moon Was Bacon, Peaches, and Sugar Cookies

"Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's first meal on the moon in 1969 included bacon squares, peaches, sugar cookies, and coffee - a milestone in food history."

Popsicles Were Invented by an 11-Year-Old Boy

In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson left a soda mixture outside overnight which froze. He patented this in 1924 as "Epsicle," now known as popsicles.

Bagels Were Presented as a Gift to Women After Childbirth

In 1610, a Polish law stated bagels, symbolizing life with their round shape and hole, must be given to women during childbirth.

The First Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Was Created by Accident

In 1930, Ruth Wakefield substituted baker's chocolate with Nestle's in her cookies, inadvertently creating the first-ever chocolate chip cookie.

Corn Flakes Were Created to Curb Amorous Desires

In the late 19th century, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg invented cornflakes by accident, believing a bland diet could prevent “immoral acts.”

Peanut Butter Was Invented in Canada

Peanut butter wasn't invented in the US, but by Canadian pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884 as a protein alternative.

"Early English Chicken Pies Used Fowl Feet as Handles"

Early English chicken pot pies had the fowl’s feet hanging as handles. Now, we enjoy it without visible feet.

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