Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd keeps blood sugar levels down and improves eyesight

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GEEK TALK

Momordica charantia

BUT WE TALK

Calabaza amarga (Spanish), Karela (Hindi), Pāhakkai (Tamil), Bitter melon

DID YOU KNOW?

Bitter Gourd as the name suggests is an extremely bitter tasting vegetable which is almost disliked by everyone. But the sad part is that it has a great nutritional value which makes it almost necessary for diabetic patients to consume it.

It is a tropical vegetable whose origin is believed to be South-East Asia. It is a fast-growing, trailing or climbing vine with thin stems and tendrils and it requires trellis to support the climbing vine.

There are two varieties of this vegetable. The large kind is long, oblong and pale green in color. The other kind is small, little oval and dark green.

This Indian Karela has many therapeutic usages and is widely used in alternative medicines to treat many diseases. Bitter melon has been used medicinally in traditional Chinese and African folk medicine for countless generations.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Bitter gourd contains a hypoglycemic compound i.e. plant insulin that is very effective in keeping blood sugar levels down.
  • Bitter gourd contains a good amount of beta carotene, which is highly beneficial for maintaining and improving one’s eyesight.
  • Bitter melon stimulates easy digestion and peristalsis of food through the bowel until it is excreted from the body.
  • The vegetable is very low in calories and its pods are rich in phytonutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants.
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Cluster Bean

Cluster Bean lowers the glycemic index of a meal

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GEEK TALK

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

BUT WE TALK

Habas de racimo (Spanish), Sēma (Hindi), Kottu pīṉ (Tamil)

DID YOU KNOW?

The main demand of guar seed originates from the US petroleum industry and also the oil fields of the Middle East. Guar was not known for its industrial application till in the times of World War II when due to a shortage of locust bean crop the paper and textile industry of the world started searching for a substitute.

They found as an efficient alternative in the form of guar gum and since then, this derivative of guar ruled out locust bean from this scenario and it was readily accepted for application in many other industries”.

Cluster Bean is native to India and India contributes to 80% of world production. It is widely grown in dry, warm and arid regions.

Its plants are 1 to 3 meters tall. Cluster beans are also cultivated for gum production and galactomannan gum is made from its seed that is used in paper and gum industry.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Guar gum powder is a water-soluble fiber and is used as a laxative. The fiber helps keep the digestive tract healthy and regular.
  • The fiber in guar slows down the digestion of a meal which lowers the glycemic index of the meal. The slow digestion means you feel full for a longer period of time, and eat less, thereby helping you lose weight.
  • It has a rich content of vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Folate.
  • They are highly rich in carbohydrate and protein, supplying you with a large amount of energy.
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Burdock Root

Burdock root is used as medicinal herb that purifies blood

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GEEK TALK

Arcticum lappa

BUT WE TALK

Lappa, thorny burr, beggar’s buttons clothburr, turkey burrseed, hurr-bur, gobo, bardana, burr seed, hardock, brass burdock, hareburr, cockle buttons, love leaves, happy major

DID YOU KNOW?

A vegetable closely related to the artichoke in both taste and appearance and a member of the thistle family, burdock root is a rather unknown vegetable with enormous benefits.

 

Typically burdock is seen in Japanese dishes, Burdock root is known for its crisp texture and off-white coloring. Burdock root is seen to have medicinal benefits and is used very often as an herb to great effect.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Burdock root is used as a medicinal herb and is believed to help blood purification as well as blood circulation.
  • In addition it is sometimes been used as a treatment for the scalp.
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Portobello Mushroom

Portobello mushroom can reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease

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GEEK TALK

Agaricus bisporus

BUT WE TALK

Portobello Mushrooms

DID YOU KNOW?

Portobello mushrooms are simply cremini mushrooms grown to fuller maturity. With their somewhat rich and meaty taste, these mushrooms have become popular due to their versatility.

They are often used as a seasoning in soups or stews and are often prepared grilled or even stuffed. Originating in Italy, the brown cap of the portobello mushroom is typically 4-6″ in diameter with a thick and white stem below it.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Portobello mushrooms have proven to work well as an antioxidant and help support the immune system as well as DNA repair.
  • In addition, it is believed they can help reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Jicama

Jicama may boost immune system and promotes heart health

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GEEK TALK

Pachyrhizus tuberosus

GEEK TALK

Climbing yam bean, Mexican potato, Mexican Water Chestnut, Mexican turnip, yam bean, Chinese potato, saa got, ahipa

DID YOU KNOW?

A relatively unknown vegetable, the Jicama (pronounced HEE-ka-ma) is cultivated mostly for its root. The Jicama vine grows as high as 20 feet while the underground root which can be as long as eight feet. It has an appearance similar to that of a Turnip though the two are not closely related.

 

The root’s exterior is yellow and has a somewhat papery feel to it, while the white inside has a similar appearance to a raw potato.

 

Grown best in a warm and dry climate, the Jicama is grown year-round, is popular and Mexico and is often prepared raw in salads or used in soups and stir-fries.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

The jicama has great health benefits and has been linked to boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of capillary damage and promoting good heart health.

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Green Chard

Green chard reduces the risk of Diabetes and prevents Alzheimer’s

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GEEK TALK

Vulgaris var

BUT WE TALK

Swiss Chard, silverbeet, perpetual spinach, spinach beet, crab beet, bright lights, seakale beet, mangold, leaf beet, white beet, joutte, blette

DID YOU KNOW?

Also referred to as Swiss Chard, this leafy green vegetable comes from the same family as spinach and beets. Often used in Mediterranean cooking, the thick crunchy stalk of Chard comes in a variety of colors namely, white, red, yellow, green and orange

Sometimes bunched together, it is sold as rainbow chard.

Chard is sometimes prepared raw in a salad, but is also regularly prepared boiled where it maintains much of its nutritional value.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Green Chard has been linked to helping reduce the risk of diabetes as well as helping those who have diabetes by lowering the rate of blood sugar.
  • A tremendous source of calcium, Chard provides great bone support.
  • Holding high levels of vitamin K, Chard is believed to be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer’s as well as supporting a strong immune system.
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Dill

Dill is used as a medicinal herb and it prevents bone loss

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GEEK TALK

Anethum graveolens

BUT WE TALK

Kapor, koper, shepu, lao coriander, shevid

DID YOU KNOW?

Often used as a spice or herb to add flavor to dishes, dill is the only species within the genus Anethum. Its seed has a great flavor and is used to add to foods such as soups and fishes. It is used to flavor salad dressings and to make dill pickles that are widely popular.

 

The plant itself is similar to that of fennel and grows to roughly 2-2.5 feet high. The seeds are very versatile and have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years.

 

In the middle ages, it was even used as a drug in charms to help thwart witchcraft. Today, oil from dill seeds are used in the manufacturing of soaps.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

Dill has been used as a medicinal herb shortly after its discovery and today it has shown to be very beneficial in preventing bacterial overgrowth as well as preventing bone loss.

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Chayote

Chayote is used as a diuretic, an anti-inflammatory and to dissolve kidney stones

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GEEK TALK

Sechium edule

BUT WE TALK

Vegetable pear, gayota, Cayote

DID YOU KNOW?

Native to Mexico and Central America and deriving from the same family as melons, cucumbers, and squashes, Chayote is known for its green coloring and a mild taste. Usually cooked lightly to retain the crisp flavor and rarely eaten raw, Chayote is usually prepared with light seasoning to add flavor.

 

While typically the fruit is the eaten, parts of the root, stem, seeds, and leaves of chayote are all edible and very healthy.

 

The fruit itself is pear-shaped and green in color and it is often used in children’s foods, juices, sauces, and even pasta dishes.

 

In India, it is not only used as a food but as fodder and in some areas, the stems are even used in the manufacturing of baskets and hats.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Chayote is a very a healthy vegetable and has been used as a diuretic, an anti-inflammatory, and has even shown to be beneficial to cardiovascular health.
  • A tea can be made from its leaves and has been used to help dissolve kidney stones and treat arteriosclerosis and hypertension.
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Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprout has anti-cancer properties and fights common cold

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GEEK TALK

Brassica oleracea

BUT WE TALK

Brussels Sprouts

DID YOU KNOW?

Believed to have originated near Brussels, Belgium, brussels sprouts is a versatile vegetable closely related to the cabbage family. Cut off from the stems which can grow to 3 feet or taller, the buds are typically small and have the appearance of tiny cabbages.

 

Brussels sprouts are often boiled, steamed, or roasted, but also can be used in stir-frys. They are relatively easy to grow and are cold tolerant with a typical growth cycle of 3 months or less.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • Brussel Sprouts are believed to have great anti-cancer properties and many believe they reduce your risk of getting cancer.
  • They are seen as very beneficial to lowering cholesterol as well as promoting good heart health.
  • Sprouts are also believed to reduce inflammation and help prevent and fight against the common cold.
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Broad Bean

Broad beans is rich in dietary fiber and protects against breast cancer

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GEEK TALK

Vicia faba

BUT WE TALK

Paranta pīṉs (Tamil), Vyāpaka sēma (Hindi), Habas (Spanish)

DID YOU KNOW?

Broad beans are one of the earliest cultivated crops with evidence suggesting them to be used in Mediterranean culture as well. It has a long history and different civilizations capitalized it for different uses like in ancient Greece and Rome beans were used in casting votes.

 

A white bean meant “Yes” and black meant “No”. In Italy, it is also known as “beans of the dead” as it saved Sicily once from starvation as all the other crops experienced a failure that year.

 

Broad beans are considered as a sign of good luck by some by some people there. There are several varieties of broad bean like Aquadulce which has a very long pod containing 8 to 9 seeds, The Seville, the pod of which contains 6 seeds and the best variety, early Aquitaine.

 

Broad Beans are a source of a large number of different nutrients, vitamins and minerals including protein, fiber, vitamins A, C and K, the minerals magnesium, potassium, and iron.

 

China is the leading producer of broad bean in the world.

KITCHEN PHARMACY

  • The bean is a very rich source of dietary fiber which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
  • Broad beans are rich in phytonutrients such as isoflavone and plant-sterols which works as a protection against breast cancer.
  • They also contain good amounts of vitamin-B6, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. These vitamins function as co-enzymes in cellular metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat.
  • Broad beans are also one of the fine sources of minerals like iron, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium.
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