Vanilla is a secret ingredient flavouring our foods and beverages and is also present in many perfumes. This spice derives from the orchid family of the genus Vanilla, which is native to Mexico. The distinctive flavour and fragrance has made it a staple addition to sweet and savoury dishes and the ...

Papaya is a fruit from the Carica papaya plant, originating in Central America and Southern Mexico. Papayas grow in tropical climates and are now grown in various parts of the world. They are also known as "papaws" or "pawpaws" (remember Jungle Book's "Bare Necessities" song?). Papayas can grow up ...

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR BALANCE FESTIVAL BEGINS! A three-day celebration of food, fitness, music and wellbeing. The happy and healthy way to kickstart the festival season...There’s no better way to welcome the summer than with an event that celebrates the good stuff in life. Enter Balance Festival, ...

Buckwheat is a pseudo grain - it has grain-like properties but is not a grain. Also, it has no relation to wheat as the name suggests. In Europe, countries like Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine are large producers of buckwheat. Similarly, Russia, the United States and China are main global buckwheat ...

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 ...

Aloe Vera is one of the most popular plants being widely used for its remarkable medicinal properties and variety of health benefits. Being a plant species of the genus Aloe and from the lily family, the green cactus-like plant holds a sticky translucent gel that is used often in skin and beauty ...

Not to be mistaken for “dessert bananas” plantains come from the same family as bananas. They are grown around the world from Central and South America to the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia. The nutrition of this vegetable is similar to that of a banana but the benefits of plantains go beyond ...

Mint is known to have originated in the Asian and Mediterranean regions of the world. It was originally used to treat stomach aches and mild chest pains; it is now enjoyed in a countless range of teas, confectionery and culinary dishes. While it is normally used a garnish, the herb is also potent ...

The past few years have seen the well-known 'superfood' Spirulina continue to rise in popularity, and with good reason. Spirulina was a food source for the Aztecs in Mexico, with records of it yielding from Lake Texcoco as described by one of Cortés' soldiers. It is a form of bacteria known as ...

With watermelon season nearly upon us, it’s time to acknowledge and share the numerous benefits of this incredible fruit. Known as 'Citrullus lanatus' from the Cucurbitaceae family and originating in the southern parts of Africa, over time, people have debated whether it is actually a fruit or ...

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 ...

You may notice a bright green wedge of lime floating in your icy gin and tonic or notice the sprinkle of luminous green zest over your creamy key lime pie, but what you may not realise is the array of health benefits that the lime contains. From powerful vitamin C to digestive benefits, lime has a ...