Garlic – the fragrant health bomb you can’t help but love Garlic (Latin: Allium sativum) has been one of the most popular ingredients in Hungarian and European cuisine for centuries. You may also know it as “tooth onion” or simply “onion”, but we like to call it garlic. 🌱 This aromatic plant originated in Central…
Daikon radish – the crunchy, refreshing vegetable that’s more than just a salad topping Daikon radishes, also known as white radishes, are a real speciality in the world of vegetables. Its Latin name is *Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus*, and it originates from Asia, especially Japan and China. In Europe, it became known at the end…
Bell peppers – the vitamin bomb of colour Bell peppers, or sweet bell peppers are a variety of the Capsicum annuum plant species. Its Latin name is the same as the other common peppers, but it is very unique in appearance and taste. It originated in Central and South America, from where it was brought…
Stuffing peppers – the star of stuffed delights 🌶️ The “Hungarian sweet pepper”, or “stuffing pepper”, is one of the most commonly used and most popular vegetables in home kitchens. Its Latin name is *Capsicum annuum*, and it belongs to the pepper family, like its hotter relatives. Stuffing peppers are distinguished by their mild flavour,…
Pickling cucumber – the crunchy summer favourite Fresh, crunchy, refreshing – these are the words that come to mind when we think of a pickling cucumber. This popular vegetable is not just the star of summer salads, it’s much more than that: it’s a culinary treasure that has earned its place in our kitchens. But…
Hot pointed peppers – the fiery champion of Hungarian cuisine 🌶️ The pointed hot pepper, or hot paprika as it is known to many, is a favourite hot addition to Hungarian households. Its Latin name is *Capsicum annuum*, and it is the elongated, thin-skinned, hot variety. It originated in Central and South America and was…
On what tree does the leek grow? Leeks, or leeks as they are known scientifically Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum , belongs to the onion family. An ancient plant, it was eaten in ancient Egypt – so much so that it was even found in the tombs of the Pharaohs! It has been a stalwart in…
Pattypan squash: the plate-shaped wonder we still don’t know enough about At first glance, the pattypan squash looks like a UFO landed at the grocery store – but don’t let its unique appearance scare you off! This shapely, flat pumpkin is a real kitchen treasure that’s not only super healthy, but also surprisingly versatile. Let’s…
Wild garlic – The Green Gold of Forests One of the most exciting heralds of spring is the wild garlic, also known as ramsons. The Latin name is Allium ursinum, from which the word “ursinum” refers to bears – legend has it that bears waking up from their dens start their spring feeding with it,…
Iceberg lettuce – the uncrowned queen of crisp freshness 🥬 Iceberg lettuce, Latin name *Lactuca sativa var. capitata*, belongs to the lettuce family and is a species of lettuce. In Hungary it is known simply as iceberg lettuce, but in the English-speaking world it is known as ‘iceberg lettuce’, especially in the United States. It…