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Can Apples Really Wake You Up Better Than Coffee?

Apparently, an apple a day, does not only keep the doctor away. It is also considered as a more efficient agent in waking you up in the mornings than caffeine.

Coffee has been the preferred “perk-me-up-in-the-morning” drink of many because of the caffeine it contains which is said to quickly stimulate the senses and provide mental energy. However, the effect quickly fades off as it gives little physical energy to the body.

An apple, on the other hand, contains a natural sugar called fructose  which gives the same effect as caffeine in boosting energy levels. Furthermore, apples have high carbohydrate and fiber content, which are used as the body’s fuel. The high fiber content also cause the natural sugar to be absorbed more slowly into the system, prolonging the boost.
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- The Junkie

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Who invented ice cream?

I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like ice cream. This frozen sweet and creamy treat is said be enjoyed by folks since time immemorial and many have been claiming that they started it all.

During the time of Roman Emperor Nero, frozen desserts were luxury items.  To get his fix for the chilled treat, Nero sends his slaves into bitter cold mountains to get the freshest snow which was then mixed with nectar, fruit pulp, and honey for flavor.

In China, the history of ice cream dates back to the T’ang period, as a specialty only the country’s rulers can enjoy. King T’ang of Shang is said to keep ninety-four “ice men” under his employ to carry huge ice blocks from frozen lakes to the palace.  The ice is used to make a concoction of koumiss (heated, fermented milk), flour, and camphor.

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- The Junkie

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If cheese is made of molds, is it safe to consume moldy cheese?

While some molds are used to make cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Brie, there are kinds of molds that are not safe to eat because they can contain harmful bacteria such as listeria, brucella, salmonella and E. coli.

The rule of thumb is to discard soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese and cream cheese, that have developed molds in them. Since these cheeses are soft, the mold’s thread-like roots can easily burrow deep into the cheese and contaminate it with harmful microorganisms. Moldy shredded, crumbled or sliced cheese should also should be tossed into the trash bin.

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- The Junkie

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What is the most expensive coffee in the world?

The most expensive coffee in the world comes from the most strange source: the anus of the common palm civet.  Yes, you read it right, the highest-priced brew are actually from the poop of these weasel-like animals endemic to Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.

These creatures feast on only the finest ripe coffee berries in the forest. During the digestion process, proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Apparently, the digestion process adds a unique flavor to the beans, removing the bitter flavor.

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- The Junkie

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What is the most eaten fruit in the world?

More mangoes are eaten fresh than any other fruit in the world making it the most popular fruit on earth. The Himalayas are the origin of the mango trees, but because of the freezing temperature, their fruits are small, bitter and unsuitable to eat.

Because mangoes are a sub-tropical fruit, they need a long hot period to produce sweet and succulent fruits. Travelers who planted the seeds on lower grounds yielded succulent delicious fruits and since then, mango trees were propagated in East India, Burma and the Andaman Islands bordering the Bay of Bengal.

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- The Junkie

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When was wine discovered?

Though there was no exact date as to when the first wine was made, a Persian poet and astronomer named Omar ‘Khayyam (A.D. 1050-1122) claimed that wine was discovered by accident. According to his story, the first wine was drunk by a member of the Persian king’s harem.

During that time, grapes were stored in jars for eating out of season. One day a jar of grapes were discovered to have developed foaming grapes and a strange smell. Thinking that the fruits have gone bad and could even be poisonous, the jar was set aside in the palace kitchen.

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- The Junkie