Get Healthy with Vegetables: Trivia Quiz About Vegetables

red eggplant

Because tomatoes are classified in the genus Solanum of the nightshade family, they are sometimes written as “red eggplant” in Japanese. Tomatoes also have various other alternative names, such as “banka” and “sangoju nasu.” The word “tomato” is said to originate from Nahuatl, a language widely used in Mexico.

the bottom part

Daikon radishes vary in flavor depending on the part. The lower portion is spicier, the upper portion is sweeter, and the middle has a flavor in between. The spicier lower part is recommended for dishes like pickles, simmered dishes, and miso soup.

bloom

The white powder seen on cucumbers is called “bloom.” It is naturally secreted as cucumbers grow and helps prevent moisture from evaporating. Because it can look like pesticides or mold, cucumbers without bloom have become more commonly sold in stores.

stem

The potatoes we usually eat are actually not roots but stems! They form when underground stems—called stolons—swell and become the potato. Potatoes are generally in season in spring and autumn, and those harvested in spring are called “new potatoes.”

To prevent it from being eaten

Have you ever seen cucumber spines that look like little bumps or prickles? These spines grow as a defense to keep the cucumber from being eaten by animals before it has fully matured. As the cucumber grows, the bumps become less noticeable, but they’re also a sign of freshness.

Kiyomasa carrot

Celery is also known as “Kiyomasa carrot.” The name “Kiyomasa” comes from the Sengoku-period warlord Kato Kiyomasa. It’s said to be called “Kiyomasa carrot” because Kato Kiyomasa brought it back when he went on a military campaign to Korea.

For ornamental use

Tomatoes were introduced to Japan from Europe during the Edo period, but at first they were grown as ornamental plants. People of the time seemed put off by the bright red color of the fruit, as well as its strong acidity and aroma. Later, from around the late Meiji period, tomatoes began to be eaten as food.