[For Seniors] Fun and Informative! Trivia and Quizzes Introduced

Mosquitoes that appear in summer: Which one sucks blood, the female or the male?

Before you know it, you sometimes get bitten by a mosquito and start to itch, right? In fact, only female mosquitoes suck blood.

The reason they do is to obtain the protein needed for laying eggs, so males don’t feed on blood.

Usually, to get energy in the form of sugars, they sip nectar from flowers or sap from plants.

Since they can’t lay eggs without blood, female mosquitoes desperately seek it to leave offspring.

Mosquitoes are a pesky presence that shows up in summer, but it turns out they have a reason for sucking blood.

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Nakajima Junko

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What is the official name of the marble inside a bottle of ramune?

Ramune in glass bottles is a quintessential symbol of summer.

Drinking a well-chilled bottle of ramune on a hot summer day can blow the heat away.

Speaking of bottled ramune, its hallmark is the glass marble inside.

The official name of this marble is the “A-dama” (A marble).

Marbles that met the standard—specifically, those without any distortions that could be used as the bottle’s stopper—were called A-dama.

Those that didn’t meet the standard were called B-dama and became the toy marbles known as “bīdama.” Back when bottled ramune was first sold, many B-dama were produced, and shops that sold ramune would hand them out to children.

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Nakajima Junko

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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.

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.

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.

Why did sushi and sashimi start being served with wasabi?

Many people don’t know this! Here’s a trivia quiz: Why did wasabi start being served with sushi and sashimi? Some people mix wasabi into soy sauce when eating sushi or sashimi.

But do you know why we began eating them with wasabi in the first place? The answer is: because wasabi has antibacterial properties that help prevent food poisoning.

While its sharp aroma and flavor are key attractions, the antibacterial effect makes it a win-win.

What was the original purpose of kombu-jime?

Knowing the origins can change how you see a dish! Here’s a trivia quiz: What was the original purpose of kombu-jime (curing with kelp)? The correct answer is “to make it last longer.” In the days before refrigerators, our predecessors found ways to extend the shelf life of fish and meat by drawing out excess moisture.

Most households now have refrigerators, but this method is still loved today.

Even the dishes we take for granted reflect the ingenuity of those who came before us, inspiring a renewed sense of gratitude.