The oldest known alcoholic beverage is a fermented drink from China dating back to around 7000 BC.

Maple syrup is 66% sugar by weight, with over 300 flavor compounds contributing to its complexity.

The French culinary term 'mise en place' means 'everything in its place' — a principle of preparation before cooking.

A pomelo is the natural ancestor of the grapefruit — grapefruits are a hybrid of pomelo and orange.

The identification of vitamins advanced nutritional science.

The average strawberry has about 200 seeds — they're the only fruit with seeds on the outside.

The surgeon's checklist, based on aviation safety protocols, has reduced surgical deaths by over 40% in hospitals that use it.

The steam engine's invention is attributed to James Watt, but Thomas Newcomen built the first practical steam engine in 1712.

Brie and Camembert are both soft-ripened French cheeses but develop their rinds from different Penicillium mold strains.