Common Foods That Grow In Surprising Ways

Pineapples

It is a common belief that pineapples grow on trees, however this plant is in fact a herbaceous perennial. It has soft leaves and no steam resembling that of a palm. The pineapple is of the same family as air plants. The fruit only grows after the plant is old enough to flower, which takes 2 or 3 years. The pineapple grows out of the center of the plant and is actually a berry!

Cacao

Chocolate comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. The seeds are roasted and fermented before they can be used with other products to make chocolate.

Vanilla

Vanilla is grown in an orchard like other fruits however it is not grown in many areas of the world. The reason for this is that the bee that can naturally pollinate vanilla is only found in Mexico and Central America. It can be grown elsewhere if it is hand pollinated but vanilla still remains expensive due to this.

Asparagus

Asparagus is grown out of the ground, each stalk emerges from the ground separately. It is a perennial plant, which means that it grows back year after year even when you cut it if the conditions are right. If the asparagus is left too long it will flower and get taller growing leaves and berries that are toxic.

Cashews

Cashews grow on trees like many other nuts. However the cashew nut is encased in a shell at the base of the cashew fruit which is known as a cashew apple. The apple can be turned into jellies and is also distilled into liquor.

Peanuts

Peanuts are in fact legumes like lima and kidney beans. They grow in the ground and are dug out as you can see in this picture.

Coffee

Coffee comes from a seed that is encased in a red coloured cherry fruit and is called the coffee cherry. Mostly people ignore the fruit that comes with the coffee seed but it is able to be brewed into tea.

Artichoke

Artichokes are part of the same family as thistles, the part that we eat is the flower before it has bloomed. It will hang in the middle of a cluster of small flowers.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are unlike other peas which grow in a pod with several other seeds. These peas do grow in pods however there is only one chickpea within the pod.

Capers

Capers are similar to artichokes in the fact that they are actually edible flower buds that are picked before their bloom and pickled.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts are part of the same family as cabbages which is no surprise, but they grow on a fibrous stalk clustered tightly together.