Spring is here! With the arrival of spring comes a whole new bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Ripe avocados, lush strawberries, and leafy spinach are here to give you a refreshing break. Take advantage this spring and indulge in some superfoods that work hard to detox your body from a long winter of rich food and inactivity. Ripe for the picking, these eight superfoods are just waiting to go from the garden to your table.
Wheat is a member of the family Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae or Grass family of the genus Triticum L. or wheat containing the species Triticum aestivum L. or common wheat. The plant is native to southwestern Asia and has been eaten for approximately 12,000 years. Wheat arrived in the western hemisphere in the late 15th century with Christopher Columbus and the pilgrims but it was not until the 19th century that the plant was cultivated.
Spinach is a member of the family Chenopodiaceae or Goosefoot family of the genus Spinacia L. or spinach P containing the species Spinacia oleracea L. or spinach P. The plant is native to ancient Persia (now Iran and surrounding areas) and migrated into India, where it was named the “Persian vegetable,” then found its way into China through Nepal in approximately 647 C.E. In 827 C.E.
Bell peppers are a member of the family Solanaceae or Potato family of the genus Capsicum L. or pepper P containing four species. The plant is known by its scientific name capsicum and is commonly called sweet pepper. The name bell pepper was derived from the shape of the fruit. Though in the genus Capsicum, bell peppers do not contain capsicum, a substance that produces the heat in peppers.
Peas are a member of the family Fabaceae or Pea family of the genus Pisum L. or pea P containing the species Pisum sativum L. or garden pea P. Residue of peas were found in the teeth of Neanderthal dating to approximately 46000 years ago and it is believed peas were used as a staple food about 23000 years ago and domesticated about 11000 years ago.
Tapereba is a member of the family Anacardiaceae or Sumac family of the genus Spondias L. or mombin, containing the species Spondias mombin L. or yellow mombin. The tree is native to tropical America and grows throughout the tropical regions of the world. It is a tropical plant that does well in warm climates and does not tolerate frost. It is also known by the nomenclatures Yellow Mombin and Spondias mombin.
Rambutan is a member of the family Sapindaceae or Soapberry family of the genus Nephelium L. or nephelium P. There are 124 listed species of which four are accepted but are not listed in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classification.
Tamarind is a member of the family Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae or Pea family of the genus Tamarindus L., commonly known as tamarind, containing the species Tamarindus indica L. or tamarind. The tree is native to Africa and was introduced to southern Asia in 2000 B.C.E. and arrived in the Americas in the 16th century.
Jaboticaba is a member of the family yrtaceae or Myrtle family of the genus Myrciaria Berg, also known as guava berry, containing the species Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg or jaboticaba. The plant is native to Brazil and is also known as the Brazilian grape tree. For millennia the native peoples used jaboticaba as a snack and for making wine. Its nutritional value has made this fruit a valuable tool in their healing arsenal.
Acerola is a member of the Family Malpighiaceae or Barbados Cherry family of the genus Malpighia L., commonly known as malpighia P, containing eight species. It has several other common nomenclatures that include Barbados Cherry, West Indian Cherry, cereza, cerisier, and semeruco.