Food, MON-PON

The necessity of food for survival is something that all humans have in common, but the trends of diet and food consumption can vary considerably from region to region. Find out more about the ingredients, dishes, and drinks that fuel people around the world.
Back To Food Page

Food Encyclopedia Articles By Title

Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack, mild, smooth cow’s-milk cheese produced mainly in California; it originated in Monterey county but......
mooncake
mooncake, Chinese pastry traditionally consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes are as central to the......
moonshine
Moonshine is a term typically used to refer to illicitly distilled liquor. The word is derived from the notion......
morel
morel, Any of various species of edible mushrooms in the genera Morchella and Verpa. Morels have a convoluted or......
moringa
moringa, (Moringa oleifera), small deciduous tree (family Moringaceae) native to tropical Asia but also naturalized......
moussaka
moussaka, dish of baked lamb and eggplant prepared throughout the Balkans and Middle East but most closely associated......
mousse
mousse, savoury or sweet dish with the consistency of a dense foam, composed of a puréed chief ingredient mixed......
mozzarella
mozzarella, mild, smooth-textured cheese made in its authentic Italian version from the milk of the water buffalo;......
mulberry
mulberry, (genus Morus), genus of about 10 species of small to medium-sized trees in the family Moraceae and their......
mung bean
mung bean, (Vigna radiata), legume plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), grown for its edible seeds and young sprouts.......
Murphy, William P.
William P. Murphy was an American physician who with George R. Minot in 1926 reported success in the treatment......
musk cucumber
musk cucumber, (Sicana odorifera), perennial vine of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to the New World......
muskmelon
muskmelon, any of several varieties of netted-rind melons in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), noted for their......
mustard
mustard, condiment made from the pungent seeds of either of two main herbs belonging to the family Brassicaceae.......
mutton
mutton, flesh of a mature ram or ewe at least one year old. See...
Málaga
Málaga, sweet, usually red, fortified wine that originated in the southern Spanish Mediterranean coastal province......
Münster cheese
Münster cheese, semisoft cow’s-milk cheese that originated in a monastery in Alsace. Though noted for its pungent......
naan
naan, teardrop-shaped, leavened flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor oven (a beehive-shaped clay oven) or......
Nabisco
Nabisco, former U.S. snack food and bakery product company. The National Biscuit Company was formed in 1898 when......
napa cabbage
napa cabbage, (Brassica rapa, variety pekinensis), form of Chinese cabbage, belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae),......
natto
natto, Japanese dish consisting of fermented soybeans. Natto begins as cooked soybeans. These are fermented with......
nectarine
nectarine, (Prunus persica), smooth-skinned peach that is grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both......
nef
nef, European vessel in the form of a medieval ship, often complete with rigging. Although occasionally made of......
New Coke
New Coke, reformulated soft drink that the Coca-Cola Company introduced on April 23, 1985, to replace its flagship......
Nienhuys, Jacobus
Jacobus Nienhuys was a Dutch businessman and planter who was responsible for establishing the tobacco industry......
noodle
noodle, a cooked egg-and-flour paste prominent in European and Asian cuisine, generally distinguished from pasta......
nougat
nougat, aerated confection made by mixing nuts and sometimes fruit pieces in a sugar paste, the composition of......
nouvelle cuisine
nouvelle cuisine, eclectic style in international cuisine, originating in France during the 1960s and ’70s, that......
nutmeg
nutmeg, (Myristica fragrans), tropical evergreen tree (family Myristicaceae) and the spice made of its seed. The......
nutraceutical
nutraceutical, type of food substance that helps to maintain health and prevent illness. The term nutraceutical......
nutrient
nutrient, substance that an organism must obtain from its surroundings for growth and the sustenance of life. So-called......
nutritional supplement
nutritional supplement, in foods, any vitamin or mineral added during processing to improve nutritive value and......
nutritional yeast
nutritional yeast, inactive dried yeast used as a condiment and food product. It is most often made from the Saccharomyces......
oatmeal
oatmeal, edible preparation of oats (Avena sativa), usually served as a warm breakfast. Oatmeal is made from the......
oats
oats, (Avena sativa), domesticated cereal grass (family Poaceae) grown primarily for its edible starchy grains.......
offal
offal, any of various nonmuscular parts of the carcasses of beef and veal, mutton and lamb, and pork, which are......
oil
oil, any greasy substance that is liquid at room temperature and insoluble in water. There are many types, such......
okra
okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus), herbaceous hairy annual plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and its edible fruit.......
oleaster
oleaster, small deciduous tree of Eurasia, about 4.5 to 6 m (15 to 20 feet) high. It has smooth, dark brown branches......
olive oil
olive oil, oil extracted from the fleshy part of the ripened fruit of the olive tree, Olea europaea. Olive oil......
Oliver, Jamie
Jamie Oliver is a British chef who achieved worldwide fame with his television shows The Naked Chef (1999) and......
omakase
omakase, Japanese word meaning to “leave to someone else,” which diners at Japanese sushi restaurants use to indicate......
onigiri
onigiri, popular Japanese snack consisting of a ball or cone of rice, often with a filling and wrapped in nori......
onion
onion, (Allium cepa), herbaceous biennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) grown for its edible bulb.......
oolong
oolong, tea of Chinese origin, made from partially oxidized tea leaves. It therefore falls between a black tea......
orange
orange, any of several species of small trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae and their nearly......
oregano
oregano, (Origanum vulgare), aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavourful dried......
Oregon grape
Oregon grape, any of several species of the genus Mahonia, evergreen shrubs of the barberry family (Berberidaceae)......
organic food
organic food, fresh or processed food produced by organic farming methods. Organic food is grown without the use......
paan
paan, an Indian after-dinner treat that consists of a betel leaf (Piper betle) filled with chopped betel (areca)......
paella
paella, in Spanish cuisine, a dish of saffron-flavoured rice cooked with meats, seafood, and vegetables. Originating......
paloma
paloma, an alcoholic drink traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit-flavored soda, and lime juice. It is sometimes......
pancetta
pancetta, salted pork belly of Italian origin. Pancetta, a word cognate with the English paunch, is produced all......
panettone
panettone, cake of Italian origin that is traditionally associated with Christmas and New Year festivals. Enriched......
pannekoek
pannekoek, large thin Dutch pancake typically cooked with various sweet or savory fillings, including bacon, cheese,......
papaya
papaya, (Carica papaya), succulent fruit of a large plant of the family Caricaceae. Though its origin is rather......
paprika
paprika, spice made from the pods of Capsicum annuum, an annual shrub belonging to the nightshade family, Solanaceae,......
Parmesan
Parmesan, hard, sharp cow’s-milk cheese used primarily in grated form. The original Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced......
parsley
parsley, (Petroselinum crispum), hardy biennial herb of the carrot family (also called parsley family; Apiaceae),......
parsnip
parsnip, (species Pastinaca sativa), member of the parsley family (Apiaceae), cultivated since ancient times for......
pasta
pasta, any of several starchy food preparations (pasta alimentaria) frequently associated with Italian cuisine......
pasteurization
pasteurization, heat-treatment process that destroys pathogenic microorganisms in certain foods and beverages.......
pastry
pastry, stiff dough made from flour, salt, a relatively high proportion of fat, and a small proportion of liquid.......
pavlova
pavlova, meringue-based dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin that is commonly topped with whipped cream......
pawpaw
pawpaw, (Asimina triloba), deciduous tree or shrub of the custard apple family (Annonaceae) and its edible fruit.......
pea
pea, (Pisum sativum), herbaceous annual plant in the family Fabaceae, grown virtually worldwide for its edible......
peach
peach, (Prunus persica), economically important crop tree grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both......
peanut
peanut, (Arachis hypogaea), legume of the pea family (Fabaceae), grown for its edible seeds. Native to tropical......
pear
pear, (genus Pyrus), genus of some 20–45 trees and shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae), including the common pear......
pecan
pecan, (Carya illinoinensis), nut and tree of the walnut family (Juglandaceae) native to temperate North America.......
Peking duck
Peking duck, one of the most celebrated dishes of Beijing, or Mandarin Chinese, cuisine, with a history of more......
pemmican
pemmican, dried meat, traditionally bison (moose, caribou, deer, or beef can be used as well), pounded into coarse......
pepper
pepper, (genus Capsicum), genus of more than 30 species of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae),......
peppermint
peppermint, (Mentha ×piperita), strongly aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Peppermint has......
perilla oil
perilla oil, drying oil obtained from the seeds of Asiatic mint plants of the genus Perilla. Perilla oil is used......
persimmon
persimmon, either of two trees of the genus Diospyros (family Ebenaceae) and their edible fruits. Persimmons are......
persistence hunting
persistence hunting, a form of hunting in which a hunter drives prey to exhaustion with a combination of walking......
pesto
pesto, Italian sauce that, in its best-known form, combines basil, pine nuts, garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and......
petha
petha, a sweet candy of North India and Pakistan that is made from pieces of ash gourd (also called winter melon,......
pho
pho, Vietnamese dish made with broth, noodles, and meat. The most common protein found in pho is beef, usually......
pickle
pickle, cucumber that has been pickled. The small cucumbers that are turned into pickles are from the Cucurbitaceae......
pie
pie, dish made by lining a shallow container with pastry and filling the container with a sweet or savoury mixture.......
pie and mash
pie and mash, traditional British comfort food that was once a staple of London’s working class in the city’s East......
pierogi
pierogi, one or more dumplings of Polish origin, made of unleavened dough filled with meat, vegetables, or fruit......
pili nut
pili nut, (Canarium ovatum), tropical tree of the family Burseraceae, cultivated for its edible seeds known as......
Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s Cup, a British drink consisting of a gin-based liqueur (Pimm’s No. 1 Cup) that is mixed with sparkling lemonade......
pine nut
pine nut, edible seed of a pine (genus Pinus). Pine nuts, small, creamy, ivory-coloured seeds—sometimes known as......
pineapple
pineapple, (Ananas comosus), perennial plant of the family Bromeliaceae and its edible fruit. Pineapple is native......
pintxo
pintxo, an appetizer similar to tapas (although more typically served on top of bread), especially common in Spain’s......
pizza
pizza, dish of Italian origin consisting of a flattened disk of bread dough topped with some combination of olive......
plantain
plantain, major group of banana varieties (genus Musa) that are staple foods in many tropical areas. The edible......
ploughman’s lunch
ploughman’s lunch, British cold meal, typically served in pubs, consisting of bread, cheese, and assorted accompaniments.......
plum
plum, any of various trees or shrubs in the genus Prunus and their edible fruits. Plums are closely related to......
poffertjes
poffertjes, small Dutch pancakes, traditionally served with powdered sugar and knobs of butter. They are made of......
poi
poi, starchy Polynesian food paste made from the taro root. In Samoa and other Pacific islands, poi is a thick......
poke
poke, dish of Hawaiian origin composed of small pieces of raw fish that are marinated and then served with vegetables,......
pokeweed
pokeweed, (Phytolacca americana), strong-smelling plant with a poisonous root resembling that of a horseradish.......
polenta
polenta, a porridge or mush usually made of ground corn (maize) cooked in salted water. Cheese and butter or oil......
pomegranate
pomegranate, (Punica granatum), bush or small tree of the family Lythraceae and its fruit. The juicy arils of the......
Pont-l’Évêque
Pont-l’Évêque, one of the classic cow’s-milk cheeses of Normandy, France, named for the eastern Normandy village......

Food Encyclopedia Articles By Title