Rice, That Whipper Snapper

Taro gets no respect. Wherever potatoes can grow, people generally stop planting taro and start raising spuds instead. But give it its due. Historians think it was the first crop intentionally cultivated, and in the beginning rice might have been just a weed in taro paddies.

Aztec Granola?

The Conquistadors tried to suppress amaranth, an important grain in ancient Mexico, but it’s still around. Unfortunately for those who revere its health-food properties, these days it’s mostly popped on a hot griddle, mixed with syrup and made into a candy called alegria.

Floss Regularly and Eat Your Candy

Australian scientists claim to have discovered an anti-tooth decay protein that could be added to toothpaste, mouthwash and maybe even candy. Casein phosphopeptide, which is derived from milk, not only prevents decay but, they say, repairs decay by replacing dissolved calcium phosphate. If it does well in clinical trials next year, CPP might be on the market three years from now.

Git Along, Little Wagyu

Wagyu is a native Japanese breed of cattle that produces highly marbled beef. Washington State University scientists are now trying to see whether it could be raised profitably in this country. Maybe so: Wagyu top sirloin commands $24.50 a pound and wagyu filet mignon runs $39.50 a pound.

That’s Not How You Spell Beenz

Heinz has introduced a line of low-fat but exotically flavored canned beans in Australia (Napoli Zesty, Tijuana Spicy, Bombay Mild). Big suspicion that it’s just trying out Viva La Beanz for the American market.

A Nation of Fork-Haters

Sandwiches account for 50% of all lunches in restaurants and cafeterias, 30% of all dinners and 19% of all breakfasts.

Make That Mesquite-Grilled Lamb and the Picnic Is On

The Omar Khayyam verse everybody knows as “A jug of wine, a book of verse and thou, beside me, singing in the wilderness” actually reads “A jug of wine, a leg of lamb and thou.” The 19th-Century translator thought the leg of lamb spoiled the mood, but that was before there were foodies.