Food, OKR-QUA
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.
Food Encyclopedia Articles By Title
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 âleave to someone else,â 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 flavorful 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......
Pale ale
Pale ale, collective designation for a genre of beers known for their copper or amber color, hoppy flavor, and......
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 cowâs-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 butter
peanut butter, creamy food made from ground roasted peanuts, frequently spread on bread and used in cooking and......
Pear
Pear, (genus Pyrus), genus of some 20â45 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 Ăpiperita), strongly aromatic perennial herb of the mint family. Peppermint has a strong sweetish......
pepperoni
pepperoni, a beef and pork blend, cured with various spices and then smoked or air-dried. Because of this specific......
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 Londonâs working class in the cityâs 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......
Pimmâs Cup
Pimmâs Cup, a British drink consisting of a gin-based liqueur (Pimmâs 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 seedsâsometimes 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 Spainâs......
pita
pita, a type of flat, hollow leavened bread that originated in the Middle East. Around the world, pita and other......
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......
ploughmanâs lunch
ploughmanâs 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-lâĂvĂȘque
Pont-lâĂvĂȘque, one of the classic cowâs-milk cheeses of Normandy, France, named for the eastern Normandy village......
Popcorn
Popcorn, a variety of corn (maize), the kernels of which, when exposed to heat or microwaves, are exploded into......
poppy seed
poppy seed, tiny dried seed of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), used as food, food flavoring, and the source......
porcini
porcini, (Boletus edulis), large, wild, edible mushroom prized in global cuisines, especially Italian and French.......
pork
pork, flesh of hogs, usually slaughtered between the ages of six months and one year. The most desirable pork is......
porridge
porridge, hot dish made by boiling grains or legumes in milk or water until thick and soft. It is often served......
porringer
porringer, a shallow, round bowl with one or two flat, horizontal handles set on opposite sides of the rim and,......
port
port, specifically, a sweet, fortified, usually red wine of considerable renown from the Douro region of northern......
Port Salut cheese
Port Salut cheese, semisoft cowâs-milk cheese first made by Trappist monks on the west coast of France in the mid-1800s.......
Porter
Porter, variety of dark beer, originally brewed in England in the 18th century, that evolved from the English brown......
portobello mushroom
portobello mushroom, (Agaricus bisporus), widely cultivated edible mushroom. One of the most commonly consumed......
Potato
Potato, (Solanum tuberosum), annual plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its starchy edible tubers.......
potato chip
potato chip, a thin slice of potato fried in oil or baked in an oven until crisp. It may be salted or flavoured......
Poultry
Poultry, in animal husbandry, birds raised commercially or domestically for meat, eggs, and feathers. Chickens,......
Poultry processing
Poultry processing, preparation of meat from various types of fowl for consumption by humans. Poultry is a major......
poutine
poutine, a Canadian dish made of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It first appeared in 1950s rural......
praline
praline, in French confectionery, a cooked mixture of sugar, nuts, and vanilla, often ground to a paste for use......
preservative
preservative, in foods, any of numerous chemical additives used to prevent or retard spoilage caused by chemical......
pressure cooker
pressure cooker, hermetically sealed pot which produces steam heat to cook food quickly. The pressure cooker first......
pretzel
pretzel, a brittle, glazed-and-salted cracker of German or Alsatian origin. Made from a rope of dough typically......
prickly pear
prickly pear, any of several species of flat-stemmed spiny cacti of the genus Opuntia (family Cactaceae) and their......
proof
proof, in liquor distilling, a measure of the absolute alcohol content of a distilled liquor, which is a mixture......
proof spirit
proof spirit, alcoholic liquor or mixture of alcohol and water that contains a standard percentage of alcohol.......
prosciutto
prosciutto, highly prized dry-cured ham of Italian origin. Deriving from the Latin perex suctum, meaning âdried......
provolone
provolone, cowâs-milk cheese from southern Italy. Provolone, like mozzarella, is a plastic curd cheese; the curd......
prune
prune, dried plum. See...
pudding
pudding, any of several foods whose common characteristic is a relatively soft, spongy, and thick texture. In the......
Pulque
Pulque, fermented alcoholic beverage made in Mexico since the pre-Columbian era. Cloudy and whitish in appearance,......
pummelo
pummelo, (Citrus maxima), citrus tree of the family Rutaceae, grown for its large sweet fruits. It is native to......
Pumpkin
Pumpkin, fruit of certain varieties of squashâsuch as varieties of Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, and C. maximaâin......
Purple passion fruit
Purple passion fruit, (Passiflora edulis), species of passion flower (family Passifloraceae) and its edible fruit.......
pùté
pĂątĂ©, (French: âpasteâ), in French cuisine, a filled pastry, analogous to the English pie. The term pĂątĂ© is also......
PĂ©pin, Jacques
Jacques PĂ©pin is a French chef, television personality, and culinary educator. He is the author of more than 30......
Quaker Oats Company
Quaker Oats Company, former (1901â2001) Chicago-based American manufacturer of oatmeal and other food and beverage......
quandong
quandong, (Santalum acuminatum), small hemiparasitic tree of the sandalwood family (Santalaceae), useful for its......