The avocado is a fruit that grows on trees native to Central and South America. Depending on the region, avocados are also called aguacate, ahuacatl, alligator pear, and avocado pear. Avocados can be as small as an egg or weigh 1 to 2 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds), depending on the variety. More than 1,000 varieties exist. Some avocados have purple skin, though most are green... Read more
Oranges are a citrus fruit. They originated in China as a cross between a mandarin (often called a mandarin orange) and a grapefruit. They have become a symbol of the state of Florida in the United States due to the large number of oranges produced there. In fact, many visitor centers offer samples of orange juice to incoming guests. Oranges also represent preparing for cold and flu season as they are extremely high in vitamin C... Read more
Peach trees are a member of the rose family. It is thought that the first peach trees came from China. The trees had been taken to the Americas by at least the 1600s. These small trees grow in warm climates and produce a juicy, fuzzy-skinned fruit. Peaches with smooth rather than fuzzy skin are called nectarines... Read more
What is a cornucopia? Also called the Horn of plenty, it is a decorative object or motif used to symbolize abundance. The first cornucopias were curved goat horns overflowing with produce and grain. Later, baskets woven in this shape were used... Read more
Lemonade is a favorite summertime beverage. Popular culture - including the iconic Peanuts cartoons - often features children selling lemonade from roadside lemonade... Read more
The banana is a familiar fruit. In fact, it is one of the most important food crops in the world. Bananas grow... Read more
Acorns are the nut or fruit produced by the oak tree. Acorns have a distinct appearance from other nuts, with a characteristic... Read more
The watermelon is a favorite summer fruit. The plant, a tropical gourd, probably originated in sub-Saharan Africa. The watermelon has a long... Read more
The tomato is a staple food in many parts of the world today. But until a few hundred years ago, this was not the case. The wild tomato is native to the... Read more
The strawberry in its wild form has been eaten by people for centuries; it is mentioned in ancient Roman writings. During the 1300s, it began to be cultivated as a... Read more
