Top 100 Exotic Food Plants
Features
• Documents the botanical and agricultural aspects of food plants along with their culinary technologies
• Familiarizes readers with a wide range of natural plant foods that are capable of contributing to a healthier diet
• Presents information about each plant in a consistent format
• Describes each plant’s history and economic and social importance
• Details food uses and provides practical information on storage and preparation as well as potential toxicity
Summary
Many edible plants considered exotic in the Western world are actually quite mainstream in other cultures. While some of these plants are only encountered in ethnic food markets or during travels to foreign lands, many are now finding their way onto supermarket shelves. Top 100 Exotic Food Plants provides comprehensive coverage of tropical and semitropical food plants, reviewing scientific and technological information as well as their culinary uses.
Wide-ranging in scope, this volume’s coverage includes plants that produce fruits, vegetables, spices, culinary herbs, nuts, and extracts. A user-friendly format enables readers to easily locate information on botanical and agricultural aspects, economic and social importance, food uses, storage, preparation, and potential toxicity. The book also contains an introductory chapter that reviews important historical, economic, geopolitical, health, environmental, and ethical considerations associated with exotic food plants. Thoroughly referenced with more than 2000 literature citations, this book is enhanced by more than 200 drawings, many chosen from historical art of extraordinary quality.
This timely volume also highlights previously obscure edible plants that have recently become prominent as a result of sensationalistic media reports stemming from their inherently entertaining or socially controversial natures. Some of these plants include the acai berry, kava, hemp, and opium poppy. A scholarly yet accessible presentation, the book is filled with numerous memorable, fascinating, and humorous facts, making it an entertaining and stimulating read that will appeal to a broad audience.
Contents
Introduction
Statistical Summary and Format of Presentation for the Exotic Food Plants
Acai Berry
Acerola (Barbados Cherry)
Akee
Allspice (Pimento)
Arrowroot
Asafetida
Bamboo
Baobab
Bay
Betelnut
Breadfruit
Cacti
Candlenut
Cape Gooseberries and Tomatillo: Physalis Species
Caper
Carambola (Star Fruit)
Carob
Cashew
Cassabanana
Ceriman
Chayote
Cherimoya and Atemoya
Chinese Artichoke
Citron
Clove
Coca
Coco De Mer (Double Coconut)
Culantro
Cumin and Black Cumin
Cycads
Durian
Epazote
Feijoa
Fenugreek
Galangal
Ginger
Ginkgo
Goji
Grass Pea
Guarana
Guava
Gum Arabic
Hemp (Hempseed)
Horseradish Tree
Jackfruit
Japanese Vegetables
Jicama
Jujube
Kava
Khat
Kiwi
Kumquat
Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena
Loofah
Loquat
Lychee, Longan, and Rambutan
Macadamia Nut
Mangosteen
Medlar
Melons (Exotic)
Miracle Fruit
Myrrh
Neem
Noni (Indian Mulberry)
Nutmeg and Mace
Oca
Okra
Opium Poppy
Palmyra Palm
Passionfruit (Granadilla)
Peach Palm
Pepino
Perilla
Persimmon
Pomegranate
Quinine
Rooibos Tea
Rose Apple
Roselle
Saffron
Sago Palm
Sapodilla
Sapote
Sarsaparilla
Sea Buckthorn
Spinach (Exotic Species)
Stevia
Sweetsop and Soursop
Tamarind
Tobacco
Tree Tomato (Tamarillo)
Turmeric
Vietnamese Herbs
Wasabi
Water Chestnut
WaxGourd
Wonderberry and Garden Huckleberry
Yard-Long Bean
Zedoary
Appendices
Index
