Passion fruit originates from South America (Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina) and is part of the psychedelic, funky-looking ‘Passiflora’ family – recognised for both its delectable culinary qualities, as well as its potent medicinal value. It is now cultivated in the majority of temperate, warmer ...

With the showery spring now well established and summer approaching, you may be keen to incorporate some alternative fresh, new ingredients into your diet. Part of the Sapindaceae family (also responsible for maple and rambutan) the Chinese originated lychee has been utilised as much in traditional ...

Believed to have originated from the tropical Sunda islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia, the purple, distinctively fragrant, mangosteen (or ‘Garcinia mangostana’) is not only rich in colour and flavour but abundant in potent health properties too. Sweet, sour and delicately aromatic, it is one of ...

With its variety of health benefits and versatility, it’s fair to say that apple cider vinegar is becoming one of the most picked-up superfood liquids on the high street. Fermenting the sugars found in apples is what makes apple cider vinegar. These fermented sugars then turn into acetic acid -the ...

Sweet potatoes are readily available, inexpensive, tasty and very good for you. If you thought that chips can't be good for your cardiovascular system and blood pressure, well, the sweet potato variety is at your rescue  read on for our Top 5 Health Benefits of Sweet Potato! 1. Blood sugar ...

Chokeberries, also known as aronia berries, originate from the wet woods of Eastern North America and are also found in wet wooded areas of the UK, such as the New Forest and the high mountains of Snowdonia.  Due to the conditions they are grown in, they have a distinct tart taste to them.  If you ...

Cinnamon is a popular spice that is collected from the inner bark of trees. It can be used in both sweet and savoury cooking, as well as in drinks, and can be bought in the form of sticks, powder, and dried flowers (cassia buds). Aside from tasting delicious, this spice has many health benefits; ...

We often get pumpkins at Halloween and carve scary faces into them and nine times out of ten, we discard the seeds -next time think again as there are many health and well-being advantages to eating them. Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fats and are a fantastic substitute for meat for those ...

Chia is an edible seed also known as Salvia Hispanica and come from a type of flowering plant from the mint family and date back to Mayan and Aztec cultures. These plants are native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia means "strength", and so cultures may have used these little black ...

Pumpkin is a type of winter squash native to North America, and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (the same family as cucumbers and melons). They are usually forgotten about after Halloween, but these orange beauties are packed with nutrients and can be easily added to recipes year round. Read on ...