An evolutionary whodunit: How did lactose intolerance develop?

Thousands of years ago, ancient European farmers made cheese and milk - but at that time, they lacked a genetic mutation that would allow them to digest raw milk's dominant sugar, lactose, after childhood - resulting in what we term lactose intolerance. 

Today, however, 35 percent of the global population — mostly people with European ancestry — can digest lactose in adulthood without a hitch.

So, how did we transition from milk-a-phobics to milkaholics? Find out here. 

Image: Flickr / Mycael

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A Global View of Hunger

The number of undernourished people worldwide is just under 1 billion - equivalent to the population of North America and Europe combined. And the cost of hunger to developing nations is an estimated US$450 billion per year.

Click on the infographic to enlarge. 

Fighting Hunger Worldwide infographic

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Photo: Flickr / rduta

Meet the Salak, the Ubiquitous Indonesian Fruit You've Never Heard of

In Indonesia, salaks are as common as apples or oranges in the U.S. Also called snakefruit, this strawberry-sized, fig-shaped fruit comes encased in vivid, nutty-brown scales, not unlike that of a cobra or python. For the uninitiated, this fleshy, spongey morsel offers a perfumed cocktail of bright flavors, with hints of pineapple, citrus, honey and possibly even soap.

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The Surprising History of Tacos 

Who knew that the cultural history of such a simple and popular food would be so complex? In this interview with Professor Jeffrey M. Pilcher,  food historian, he explains how tacos  - a dish that dates back to the 18th century -  jumped from the Mexican silver mines to fast food staple. 

For more information, read the book:
Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food, by Jeffrey M. Pilcher. 

Photo: Flickr / JeffreyW

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Did you know...

• Beans have historically been a symbol of the embryo and of growth in most societies. The ancient Egyptians called the place in which the Ka, the souls of the dead awaited reincarnation “the bean field.”
  
• The Arabs invented caramel, which served as a depilatory (hair removal) for women in a harem.
  
• During the Middle Ages, a lemon slice was served with fish because it was thought the juice would dissolve any bones that were accidentally swallowed.

---Source: 30 Random Facts About Food

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