Morning, noon and night
Three random things I learned, or remembered, todayArchive for September 29, 2007
All about potatoes
NIGHT
I was always told that potatoes that go green are poisonous.
Here are some questions and answers I found.
Q. Are potatoes poisonous?
A. No. The potato tuber, the part we eat, is not poisonous, however the potato plant is toxic. Green portions on the skin of the potato are also toxic.
Q. What is the green coloring on the potato skin?
A. The green on the skin of a potato is the build-up of a chemical called Solanine. It is a natural reaction to the potato being exposed to too much light. Solanine produces a bitter taste and if eaten in large quantity can cause illness, this is unlikely, however, because of the bitter taste. If there is slight greening, cut away the green portions of the potato skin before cooking and eating.
Q. Why do potatoes grow sprouts?
A. Sprouts are a sign that the potato is trying to grow. Cut the sprouts away before cooking or eating the potato. To reduce sprouting, store potatoes in a cool, dry, dark location that is well ventilated.
Below is a link to a great website that tells you everything about potatoes. (I don’t suppose it tells you how to grow real old fashioned Ayrshire potatoes though.)
© Photographer:Girivenko Sergej | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Camels
NOON
A camel’s life expectancy is 50-60 years.
There are two true camels – the Dromedary or Arabian Camel (one hump) and the Bactrian Camel (two humps). They are desert animals. The Dromedary is native to western Asia and east Africa, the Bactrian Camel to central and east Asia.
A Camelid is a camel like animal. These are the Llama, Alpaca, Guanaco and Vicuna, all from South America.
Camels have oval red blood cells unlike other mammals which are round. This shape has an advantage in the dehydrated state.
List of the world’s bridges
MORNING
If you like lists, and are interested in bridges, here is a link all the bridges in the world.
Once there, you can follow a link to details and photographs of most of them.
Antioxidants
NIGHT
Antioxidants can bind free radicals in the body. This is good because free radicals are damaging to cells using an oxidation process.
Current research suggests antioxidants can prevent or delay some serious medical conditions such as arterial disease or cancer.
Vitamin C found in fresh fruit and vegetables is an antioxidant. There are many others.
