Something Yummy for Your Tummy

Flax seed, also known as linseed, is one of the ancient cultivated crops since Mesopotamian times, grown for its oilseeds and fiber. Its crunchy seeds packed with full of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and essential vitamins. Of late, health benefits of flax have widely drawn the attention of nutrition researchers as well as health enthusiasts alike across the world. Flax belongs to the family of Linaceae, of the genus of Linum, and botanically named as Linum usitatissimum. Flax is an erect annual plant growing about 1 to 1.5 meters tall and bears light-blue color attractive flowers. It is one of the easily cultivated crops that flourishes well both in tropical as well as subtropical climates, with higher acreage production as a field crop noted in some fertile river valleys. Flax fruit pod is a round, dry capsule of 6–9 mm diameter, containing several brown or golden-yellow seeds (depending on the cultivar type). Its seeds feature flat, smooth,...

One of the first oil seeds known to humankind, sesame seeds have been widely employed in culinary as well as in traditional medicines for their nutritive, preventive, and curative properties. Sesame is a primary source of phytonutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber with potential anti-cancer as well as health promoting properties. Sesame plant is a tall annual herb in the Pedaliaceae family, which grows extensively in Asia, particularly in Burma, China, and India. It is also one of the chief commercial crops in Nigeria, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Scientific name: Sesamum indicum. Sesame plant requires well-drained sandy soil and tropical environment to flourish. It grows about 5 feet in height and bears plenty of pink-white foxglove-like flowers. The pods appear soon containing white, brown, or black seeds depending upon the cultivar type, arranged in vertical rows inside thin sacs. Each pod (2-5 cm in length) is a lo...

Chia seeds (salvia hispanica) have become one of the most popular superfoods in the health community. They’re easy to digest when prepared properly and a very versatile ingredient that adds easily to recipes. Plus, chia seeds benefits are plentiful. Originally grown in Mexico, the seeds were highly valued for their medicinal properties and nutritional value. In fact, they were even used as currency. The chia seed is nutrient-dense and packs a punch of energy-boosting power. Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them high energy and endurance. They said just one spoonful of chia could sustain them for 24 hours. Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and chia seeds were known as “runners’ food” because runners and warriors would use them as fuel while running long distances or during battle. Not only that, but recent research has found that the chia seeds benefits are even greater than we realized. Chia seeds benefits include promoting healthy skin, reducing signs ...

Coconut is a mature fruit of the Cocos nucifera palm. It is one of very versatile and indispensable food item for millions of inhabitants of South and South-East Asia and Pacific islands. It is one of the most sought-after ingredients in the kitchen since it employed in almost each and every recipe prepared in these parts of the world. Cocos nucifera belongs to the large Palmaceae family of palm trees. Coco palm grows well in the tropical climates. The palm requires moist, sandy, well-drained soil and flourishes well all along the saline-rich coastal regions. The palm coconut is an unbranched, erect, tall-growing tree that could reach more than 100 feet in height and has a lifetime of about 75 to 100 years. Once planted, it may take about 4-5 years to begin their first produce, and often, quite longer time in some varieties. Several hundred cultivars of the coconut palms grown all over the tropics and so, their taste of meat (kernel) and flavor of water thus may vary accor...