[For Seniors] Fun Food Trivia Quizzes You'll Want to Share

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

When chatting with older adults, food often comes up as a topic, doesn’t it? Food is one of the subjects that both seniors and staff find easy to talk about.

So this time, we’d like to introduce some trivia quizzes about food.

Food-related topics that naturally expand conversations with seniors can also be used to facilitate communication.

You can use them as everyday conversation starters or as material for recreational activities.

Enjoy these food trivia quizzes we’ve gathered for you.

[For Seniors] Fun Food Trivia Quiz You’ll Want to Share (1–10)

Which has higher nutritional value: fresh shiitake mushrooms or dried shiitake mushrooms?

A quiz about nutritional value! Which has higher nutritional value: fresh shiitake or dried shiitake? Here’s a fun trivia quiz.

Fresh shiitake are often cooked to highlight their texture and natural flavor, while dried shiitake have a rich aroma and are great for simmered dishes.

Both are delicious in different ways, but do you know which is more nutritious? The answer is dried shiitake.

Comparing vitamin D, dried shiitake contain about 11 times more than fresh shiitake.

Definitely something to include in your diet!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

What ingredients help prevent food poisoning when included in a bento?

Here’s a trivia quiz: Which ingredient helps prevent food poisoning when packed in a bento? As temperatures rise, food poisoning from lunch boxes becomes a concern.

The ingredient said to help prevent it is umeboshi (pickled plums).

Umeboshi, rich in salt and citric acid, has strong antibacterial effects, making it a good addition to bentos.

However, it’s best not to rely on umeboshi alone—use it together with ice packs and an insulated bag.

A handy tip for the warmer seasons.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

How much honey does a single honeybee collect over the course of its lifetime?

Fascinating trivia that makes you want to know the answer! Here’s a trivia quiz: How much nectar does a single honeybee collect over its lifetime? We know that honeybees gather nectar, but many of us have probably never thought about how much they actually collect.

The answer is said to be about one teaspoon.

Given that a honeybee’s lifespan is about one month, it’s believed they spend roughly two weeks of that time foraging outside.

When you think about how carefully each bee brings back its nectar, it really renews your sense of gratitude for the food we eat.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For Seniors] Fun Food Trivia Quizzes You’ll Want to Share (11–20)

What is the reason we don’t eat eel as sashimi?

Let’s think simply! Here’s a trivia quiz: Why don’t we eat eel as sashimi? While there are many kinds of fish served as sashimi, eel is never offered that way.

The answer is: because eel blood contains toxic substances.

Eel blood has a toxin called ichthyotoxin (ichthyohemotoxin), which can cause symptoms like nausea and abdominal pain if ingested.

That’s why eel should always be cooked thoroughly before you enjoy it.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The sea bream-shaped taiyaki originally had the shape of a different creature. What shape was it?

It’s hard to imagine taiyaki being in any shape other than a sea bream, isn’t it? Even for seniors who’ve eaten dozens of them, this might be a tricky question.

Here’s a hint: it’s a creature that comes in large and small sizes and is sometimes kept as a pet.

Some seniors might even have kept one in the past.

And the biggest hint is that it has a hard shell! The answer is, of course, a turtle! It was even called “kameyaki,” meaning turtle-shaped yaki.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem

Giving cookies on Valentine’s Day means “let’s stay friends.”

Giving cookies on Valentine’s Day is said to carry meanings like “let’s stay friends,” “let’s keep things as they are,” or a casual kind of affection, partly because of their light, crispy texture.

They’re a good gift for people to whom you want to express light gratitude—friends, coworkers, and business associates.

If the person you truly like knows this meaning, they might misunderstand your intention, so it may be better to avoid giving cookies to them.

Other sweets also have hidden meanings, so it could be worth looking them up.

Raise the rankinglower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

In sukiyaki, which ingredient is considered better not to place next to the meat?

A quiz many people might already know! In sukiyaki, which ingredient is said to be better not placed next to the meat? Here’s a bit of trivia for you.

The correct answer is shirataki (konjac noodles).

Shirataki contains calcium, and when it comes into contact with protein, heat coagulation occurs, which causes the meat to toughen more quickly.

Some of you may have unknowingly placed them side by side in the pot.

To enjoy delicious, tender meat, it’s important to be a little mindful of how you arrange the ingredients.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem