Stories

  1. History of Sugar Snap Peas: Sweet and Sensational!

    Place: U.S.

    Uses: Fresh eating, or quickly steamed, sauteed, or stir-fried

    Fun Fact: The term “mangetout” (French for “eat it all”) can be applied to sugar snap peas and snow peas alike.

    Where Did the Snap Pea Come From?

    Hailed as the greatest new vegetable on the market, Sugar Snap peas took the vegetable world by storm in the spring of 1979.

    They truly w

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  2. History of The Goji Berry: Ancient Plant, Super Berry

    bePlace: China

    Uses: Eaten out of hand as a snack, in granola, atop cereal and in baked goods or in teas and soups

    Fun fact: Ningxia Province, which produces a large share of China’s goji berries for export, holds a goji berry festival each August to celebrate the annual harvest.

    The goji berry has enjoyed much fanfare as a medicinal wonder. For a few thousand years these small red berries have been the center of many tall tales of healing and extreme longevity. Despite the trumped-up h

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  3. The History of Arugula: Peppery Plant, Storied Past

    Place: The Mediterranean

    Uses: Salads, stir fries, soups, sandwiches, pesto and sauces

    Fun Fact: Arugula is also often called rocket; both names derive from the original Latin name of the plant, “eruca.” As he was developing his botanical taxonomy, Carl Linneaus followed, naming arugula Eruca sativa.

    Arugula: Origin and History

    In the world of plants, few have such a long and noble history as

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  4. Wolfberry vs Goji berry - Are They the Same Thing?

    The terms goji berry and wolfberry are often used interchangeably. Is there a difference?

    Well, sort of. Both names can be used to refer to the fruit of Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum, two closely related species of boxthorn, in the Solanaceae family. While the two plants are very similar, the fruit of L. barbarum is sweeter, less astringent and higher in betaine, an important nutrient believed to support liver and kidney health. Additionally, the fruit of L. barbarum is meatier in texture, while L. chinense is more fibrous. (Please note that only the mature fruit of either species should be eaten.)

    Goji berries growing in the wild

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  5. Datil Pepper: Everything You Need to Know

    Place: USA

    Use: Condiments, jams and sauces

    Fun Fact: A sweet datil pepper variant is also available for those who love the pepper’s fruity flavor but not the heat.

    What Is a Datil Pepper?

    These sweet peppers are a culinary symbol of America's oldest city.

    These f

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  6. Winter Radishes: From the Sweet To the Sublime!

    Place: China

    Uses: Pickles, fresh eating, stir fries, soups and more

    Fun Fact: Chinese fruit radishes such as the Shawo are a traditional part of wintertime tea parties in Beijing.

    Winter radishes have an ancient — and spicy — history, and we are thrilled to see that these bulbous root crops are regaining popularity in modern gardens.

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  7. Long-Blooming Echinacea: History, Uses, Therapeutic Properties

    Place: North America

    Uses: Teas, tinctures and ornamental use

    Fun fact: The yellow-petaled Echinacea paradoxa grows wild in some parts of the Ozarks, where our Missouri farm is located.

    Echinacea: Origin and History

    A favorite among gardeners and herbalists, the lovely echinacea

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  8. Guide to Stevia Plant - The Sweetest Herb!

    Place: Brazil and Paraguay

    Uses: As a sweetener

    Fun Fact: Stevia is sweeter than sugar up to 300 times!

    Stevia: Origin and History

    Stevia is an herb renowned the world over for its sweet leaf and delicate flavor, slightly reminiscent of a mild

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  9. Guide to Malabar Spinach: A Phenomenal Warm-Weather Green

    Place: India

    Uses: Stir fried, soups, stews, curries

    Fun fact: The immature flower shoots are delicious and reminiscent of Asian baby corn.

    Most gardeners love to grow spinach, but sadly, it falters when the weather begins to get pleasantly warm. Fortunately, there’s a crop that yields similar (but more gelatinous) leaves all summer long. I

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  10. Bells Of Ireland: The Garden’s Lucky Charm

    Place: Turkey, Syria, the Caucasus

    Uses: Garden ornamental, cut flower arranging

    Fun fact: Bells of Ireland is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is related to catmint, salvia, thyme and lavender

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