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

Last updated:2026/1/14

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)

Why do lotus roots have holes?

A seasonal ingredient from autumn to winter! Here’s a trivia quiz: Why does lotus root have holes? Lotus root’s unique shape with holes is appealing, but do you know what role those holes play? The answer is: they serve as air passages for breathing.

Lotus roots grow in watery soil, but the mud at the bottom has little oxygen for them to breathe.

There are many kinds of vegetables, and learning about each of their characteristics is fascinating, isn’t it?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

What is the name of the headache you get when eating cold foods like shaved ice, where your head suddenly aches sharply?

A quiz about relatable topics! Here’s a trivia question: What is the name of the headache you get when your head suddenly aches with a sharp “keen” sensation while eating cold foods like shaved ice? In summer, we often crave chilly treats like shaved ice and ice cream, right? Many people have probably experienced that piercing headache at those times.

It seems that headache is called “ice cream headache.” The mechanism behind this headache is apparently not yet fully understood.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

What is the fifth taste humans can perceive besides sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness?

A quiz that makes sense when you think about it! Here’s a trivia question: Humans perceive five basic tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and what’s the last one? The correct answer is “umami.” It’s found in kombu (kelp), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), tomatoes, and cheese, and it brings out deep richness in dishes.

This “umami” isn’t as widely known as you might think—did you know about it? It’s a fun bit of trivia to remember to enjoy food even more.

By choosing ingredients with umami in mind, you can make your cooking even more delicious!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

What is the disease that can be prevented by drinking miso soup every day?

It might help prevent a concerning illness! Here’s a trivia quiz: What disease can be prevented by drinking miso soup every day? Some people can’t start their morning without miso soup.

This traditional Japanese soup is said to be effective in preventing a certain illness.

The answer is “stomach ulcers.” Enzymes in miso are believed to aid digestion, which may reduce the burden on the stomach.

While being careful not to consume too much salt, let’s aim for a well-balanced diet.

Raise the rankinglower

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

Osechi dishes, each ingredient and material carrying auspicious meanings—Which foods are eaten to pray for good financial fortune?

Many older adults might say that the colorful Osechi dishes are one of the joys of New Year’s.

Among these traditional dishes, there’s a certain food said to symbolize good fortune with money—but which one is it? Here’s a hint: it’s sweet and popular with children.

A big hint: it’s made with chestnuts.

The answer is kuri-kinton! The word kinton can mean “golden bedding” or “golden dumplings,” which is why it’s associated with financial luck.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI