Informative
The Origin of Memorial Day 0
Memorial Day honors the brave U.S. soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country. From its origins after the Civil War to today’s official ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, this day is steeped in history and reverence. Learn how Memorial Day evolved, its lesser-known origins, and the profound stories that shaped this national tradition of remembrance.
The Evolution of the Strawberry 0
Summer would never be complete without a bowl of ice-cream with strawberries. The strawberry is a cultivar, meaning simply that it has been greatly altered from its wild form, likely smaller than today’s varieties. The new varieties are crossbred for greater resistance to disease and reliability. The evolution of the strawberry is one that until now, researchers knows little about.
The History of the Strawberry
The strawberry is native to North America. The Native American Indians used strawberries in various dishes. The first garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) grew in Brittany, France in the 18th century. It was across the Fragaria chiloensis[1] from Chile and the Fragaria virginiana [2] brought from North America by the first colonists.
Previously, the fruit was sourced from wild strawberries and some cultivated selections obtained from the wild species. The fruit appeared in the ancient Roman literature for its medicinal use. During the 14th century, the French started transplanting strawberries from the forest to the gardens for harvesting. The Western European monks used wild strawberries in illuminated manuscripts in the 15th century. The strawberry is also traced in Flemish, German, and Italian art, as well as the English miniatures.
Strawberry cultivation became more popular in the 16th century, and people used it for medicinal properties, including treating depressive illnesses. Botanists started to name the different species, and in 1972, a French excursion traveled to Chile and introduced North American female plant, which brought to existence the modern strawberry.
Cultivation
Earnest cultivation of the strawberry began in the early 19th century, after strawberries with cream became a luxurious dessert. With the advent of the railroad, New York became the strawberry hub, shipping the plant in railroad cars. The cultivation spread to Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida. Today, California produces 75% of strawberries.
Strawberry cultivars come in various shapes, sizes, flavors, colors, the season of ripening, degree of fertility, the constitution of plant and liability to disease [3]. The flower’s structure is hermaphroditic - functions as female or male.
There are two cultivation models: the perennial system of mounds or matted rows/ annual plasticulture [4]. The plasticulture method is mostly used for bulk production, using plastic covers to prevent erosion and weeds. The strawberry plant takes one to two years to decline in fruit quality and productivity in the commercial plasticulture system; therefore, plants are replaced annually for denser plantings and better yields. The perennial system, mostly used in colder climates, utilizes the same plants for years. Its production cost and yields are lower than in the plasticulture method.
Strawberries can be grown in strawberry pots indoors; however, the plant might not grow naturally in the winter, but the LED lighting in the combination of red and blue light can promote growth during the winter.
The Quest to Bring the Strawberry Glory Back
Odds are at one point you have been disappointed by some strawberries that have lost flavor. The supermarket strawberries are mostly bred for color, size, disease resistance, and shelf life. Breeders are in the quest to make the strawberry taste as good as it used to.
In 1892, Thomas Laxton bred the American hardiness with the European flavor to cultivate the Royal Sovereign, an exceptionally delicious strawberry; however, the Royal Sovereign showed signs of disease in the 1930s and was superseded commercially.
The flavor gets more complicated, because it includes various components, including sugar content, texture, the aroma, and type of sugars (derived from a range of genes that rely on one another). Isolating the flavor trait is not entirely impossible. Identifying the ideal flavor chemical structure is the first step, involving the genome discovery of the parent plant and building a database for the gene codes for the flavor trait.
The flavor is also determined by the time of picking. A strawberry picked at its peak ripeness will always taste better than strawberries picked before they are well ripened.
Strawberries in Cuisine
In ancient times, wild strawberries were eaten in small quantities since they were tough, small, or lacking in taste. In the modern day, strawberries are tasty eaten off the stem or when incorporated in various dishes fresh or cooked: pies, tarts, quick bread, muffins, preserves, jellies, sauces, and jams. Fresh berries are suitable for smoothies, wine, sangria, and salads.
Although growing strawberries is seasonal, they can be frozen for future consumption. Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, as are our Freeze Dried Sliced or Whole Strawberries. We've got you covered. You can get high quality freeze-dried strawberries from Mother Earth products today.
References
A History of Saint Patrick’s Day: Toast to Everything Irish 0
On March 17th, Ireland honors the foremost saint of Ireland - St. Patrick. Honoring St. Patrick has become a global celebration. In the United States alone, approximately 39.6 million people, seven times Ireland’s population, celebrate Irish heritage.1 These celebrations have a distinct Irish vibe, which includes drinking, wearing green, and parades.
Here’s a quick glance at the history of Saint Patrick’s Day and everything that goes with it.
Who was St. Patrick?
Maewyn Succat, alias Patrick, was born to a wealthy family in Scotland. At 16, he was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland. Years later, he fled, claiming God told him to escape from his captors, using a boat that waited at the shore to take him home.2 Years later, he travelled back to Ireland as a priest named Patrick, where he spent his life converting the Irish from Celtic paganism to Christianity.
Legend says that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. According to the belief, snakes attacked him while he was fasting, and he chased them all to the ocean. The story explains the absence of snakes in Ireland since the post-glacial period.3 Saint Patrick is believed to have died on March 17th in the fifth century.1
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day was a religious holiday in Ireland. The Irish laws dictated that pubs remain closed on March 17th - until the 1970s. Then, the government began using St. Patrick’s Day to showcase the Irish culture to drive tourism. Over a million people travel to Ireland annually to take part in the St. Patrick’s festival held in Dublin, which features concerts, parades, fireworks, and outdoor theatre productions.3
The first parade in the history of St. Patrick’s Day was held in the United States by Irish soldiers in the English military. They marched along the streets of New York City playing music together with fellow Irishmen. Since then, Irish patriotism among American immigrants has flourished. Every year, millions of people watch parades, including the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with participants exceeding 150,000.3
Various cities developed different traditions to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as the Irish immigrants dispersed in the United States. For instance, dyeing the Chicago River green has been done since 1962.1
Chicago’s pollution control team traced illegal sewage using green dye, when they discovered it could be a great way to celebrate the holiday. With the aim of reducing environmental pollution, 40 pounds of vegetable dye is used to turn the river green for several hours.
Wearing Green
Wearing green attire, green accessories, or shamrocks is customary on St. Patricks Day; however, blue was the first color associated with the holiday, leading to the origin of the St. Patricks blue, a color that is widely used in Ireland. So, where did the green obsession come from?
Based on the history of St Patrick’s Day, the saint used the three leaves of legendary shamrock, a native Irish plant, to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish.3 Green is further associated with the green flag, from the 1640s, of the Irish Catholic Confederation. Another reason why green is used is Ireland's nickname - The Emerald Isle.1
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Although cabbage and corned beef is not a traditional Irish dish, it is a significant meal in the history of St. Patrick’s Day. The Irishmen would probably have served potatoes and bacon or pork. However, the Irish immigrants in America substituted bacon with corned beef. which was the cheaper option. Most restaurants worldwide serve Irish meals and beverages to celebrate the holiday.
Those who are not big fans of cabbage and corned beef are known to incorporate Irish delicacies to their menus, including Irish potatoes and Irish soda bread. Great ideas for desserts with an Irish touch include: whiskey added to chocolate cake and bread pudding from soda bread. Guinness is also a must, and is the most popular beer in Ireland.
Amazing Destinations for St. Patrick’s Celebrations
Dublin immerses the traveller into the Irish St. Patrick’s Day experience with numerous activities. One can learn about Ireland’s culture and see the stunning iconic buildings, enjoy a stroll in the streets illuminated in green and watch Irish dances, and indulge in the thrilling boat races on River Liffey.
New York City hosts the world’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade takes place along the Fifth Avenue, which is home to Central Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
London is also one of the largest hosts of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There are numerous Irish themed restaurants offering Irish food and Guinness, and the spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts in Piccadilly. Trafalgar Square also hosts the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
Authentic Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
You may want to break the routine and indulge in new ways to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day.
If you feel like spending the day indoors, here are some great Ireland films will give you a clue of what being Irish entails. Brooklyn and Leap Year are some remarkable films from and about Ireland, as well as Dare to Be Wild (about the first Irish woman to win the Chelsea Flower Show).
It is always a good time to learn new things. Dig into the history of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland. You might be surprised about how diverse culture is. Learn how the world operated in ancient times up to date. How about adding to your language with some Irish words? "Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!" meaning "Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!" might be a good start.
You could also participate in the various Shamrock-themed races or marathons held on St. Patricks Day. Buy some green outfits and race. It is a good way to burn some calories.
Look up some Irish recipes and host some friends for lunch or dinner. You never know, you may find new recipes to add to your daily lifestyle. Challenge yourself to make your St. Patrick’s Day fun as you celebrate the Irish history and heritage. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Mother Earth Products.
References
The Dark History of Valentine's Day You Never Saw Coming 0
Raise your hand if this sounds like you: The second you flip your calendar from January to February, you can't help but get all worked up. Sure, the fact that you pulled off January in one piece (or stuck to most of your New Year's resolutions) is enough of a cause to get all pumped up, but the real reason you're buzzing with excitement is because February is the month of love and all things chocolate and strawberries.
But, have you ever wondered why February 14th was designated as the “Day of Love”? Is there an uber-romantic story that made this day so special that millions of people feel obliged to flock to florists and candy shops to show a sign of their affection? Well, to our surprise (and possibly, yours), there is a story behind Valentine’s Day's roots, but it isn't exactly fairy-tale-like.
In fact, the history of Valentine's Day is mostly dark -if not gory. The day has seen its fair share of drama, sadness, and even death. If you want to know more about the origins of Valentine’s Day, this short “trip” down history lane will make you appreciate the way we celebrate the “Day of Love” now.
What Is Valentine's Day?
Celebrated on February 14th, Valentine's Day is the “official” day to celebrate love, but not just one type of love. We're talking about all kinds of affection here, whether that's the romantic or platonic or the type that says: “I care about you, and I'd do anything to make you happy.” With that in mind, Valentine’s Day isn't just a day to shower your significant other with over-the-top statements (and possibly gifts), but a time to show everyone who's special to you that you care and would do anything for them.
The (False) Roman Origins
We don't know if you've heard the story, but according to modern historians, Valentine's Day has its roots in an ancient Roman celebration, known as Lupercalia(1). The festival took place in the city of Rome and lasted about two days, from 13th to 15th of February. Part of the festivities included a ritual during which Roman priests whipped young women with thongs of blood-drenched skin stripped off of two freshly killed animals. As crazy as it sounds, this sort of “spanking” made women fertile.
But, here comes the interesting part. While many claim the Roman tradition was the reason Valentine's Day came to be, the truth is that there's no evidence of any link between the two celebrations. In fact, it wasn't until the 14th century that Valentine’s Day was shaped into the romantic festivity we know today – which brings us to the next point.
The Chaucer Flair
If it wasn't the Romans who started the whole Valentine's Day thing, then who was it? Well, according to Jack B. Oruch(2), the English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer(3), was the first person to ever associate St. Valentine with romance in one of his poems. Specifically, he wrote:
"For this was on St. Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."
Geoffrey Chaucer
The poet links St. Valentine to a specific day on which lovebirds get to express their affection for their mates or loved ones (that's Valentine’s Day, btw). So, this is how Valentine's Day came to be. Now, the real question is: Who was this St. Valentine Chaucer was referring to, and how did February 14th came into the picture?
So, Who Was Saint Valentine?
Since there are a lot of theories(4) surrounding Saint Valentine and his life andwork, it's a bit tricky to identify the actual man behind the holiday. However, the one version that hits home with most people depicts the Saint as a priest who lived during the 3rd century AD.
Valentine was at the top of his game while Claudius II ruled Rome. Lore has it that the Emperor was nothing short of bellicose and vindictive, which is why he forbade couples from getting married. He thought that using this way would encourage men to join the army as single men, making better soldiers (again, his thoughts!).
Being the caring person that he was, Valentine went against the Emperor's orders and kept marrying couples in secret, while spreading the word of God. Of course, when Claudius II found out about the priest's illegal activities, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to death. Valentine’s life came to an abrupt end on February 14th, which is where “Valentine's Day” got its name from. One variation of the story also says that while in prison, the Saint fell in love with the jailer's daughter to whom he sent a love letter signed under “Your Valentine.”
Making Things Official
Even though Saint Valentine was killed for supporting his Christian beliefs, it took a while for the Catholic Church to recognize his efforts and contribution to the religion's cause. In fact, it wasn't until 496 A.D. that Pope Gelasius(5) declared February 14th as the First Feast Day of Saint Valentine. The real question in this case, though, is whether the Pope did this to actually honor the martyr, or just to put an end to the paganistic ways of Lupercalia.
Valentine's Day in the 20th Century
Torture, imprisonment, and bloody rituals aside, Valentine's Day's connection to deadly incidents was far from over at the dawn of the 20th century. On February 14, 1929, two rival gangs turned Chicago into a war zone as 7 men affiliated to George Moran's gang were gunned down as they were standing lined up outside a garage.
Reports say that about 70 rounds of ammunition were fired. This small detail shows the brutality of the crime, proving it wasn't your ordinary hit-and-run. And even though there was no concrete evidence, Moran knew Capone was behind the brutal massacre. Of course, due to the lack of evidence, no one was brought to trial. The incident is known today as the “Valentine's Day Massacre”(6).
Final Thoughts
As you see, the history of Valentine's Day isn't as lovey-dovey as we would have thought. On the contrary, the celebration is linked to many blood soaked incidents, which have left their mark in history (sometimes, in the worst of ways). But, despite all these, Valentine’s Day was engraved in everyone's mind as the one day in the year it's all right to go overboard - all in the name of love. So, whether you're planning a romantic dinner at home or want to spend the whole day outside with your boo (or beau), we're just here to say “Happy Valentine's Day.”
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lupercalia
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/2847741?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
- http://obituaries.ljworld.com/obituaries/ljworld/obituary.aspx?n=jack-b-oruch&pid=169665717
- https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded
- https://www.history.com/topics/crime/saint-valentines-day-massacre
5 Easy Ways to Use Organic Freeze Dried Fruit (and Non-Organic) in Your Meals 0
Looking to get more out of your pantry staples? Freeze-dried fruits are a surprisingly versatile ingredient that can transform everyday meals into vibrant, nutrient-packed treats. From quick breakfasts and smoothies to infused waters, colorful desserts, and baked goods that won't go soggy, freeze-dried fruit brings flavor, texture, and convenience to your kitchen. Whether you’re making muffins, garnishing cookies, or blending a nutrient-rich smoothie, these no-fuss tips will show you how to make the most of your favorite fruits—no fridge required.
5 Delicious and Easy Ways to Use Freeze-Dried Fruit in Your Daily Meals 0
Looking for simple, delicious ways to use freeze-dried fruit? From smoothies and infused water to breakfast bowls and baked goods, freeze-dried fruit adds vibrant flavor, color, and nutrients—without spoilage or prep. Whether you're home or on the go, it's an effortless upgrade to your everyday meals.
