12 Things You Might Not Believe But Are Edible

It’s no secret that, when it comes to food, technology has been offering alternative industries to contribute to the environment, creating water bottles and even edible cups of coffee. However, nature, since antiquity, offers us options that most people don’t even imagine are edible.

O awesome.club did research to discover foods consumed by humanity since antiquity, but which, given the current large supply of food, ended up falling into oblivion.

Tree bark has been consumed by humans since the world began, and you probably have one of them in your closet: cinnamon. However, it is possible to grind the inner bark of several species of trees to make flour. The product can be used to make homemade pasta and baked goods, replacing regular flour.

The inner part of the bark of trees is called cambium, and according to a study conducted by the Guang An Men Hospital of Chinese Medical Science Research in China, pine bark has many health benefits. Among them are the ability to lower glucose levels and boost immunity, helping the body to absorb more vitamin C present in food and acting as a protection for the skin against light and ultraviolet rays.

For most of the planet’s inhabitants, the idea of ​​eating cacti may not seem very attractive. Although, several varieties from the plant are edible and can be used in various dishes, provided they have been carefully prepared. One example is nopal, which tastes like cucumber and is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.

Here in Brazil, chef Timóteo Domingos, a specialist in Northeastern cuisine, prepares a series of dishes from the palm, a type of cactus that is quite common in the region. One of these dishes is cocactos, a cocada made with a mix of cacti.

Those who have tried it guarantee that it is delicious.

The rooster’s mane is that kind of wavy and reddish “crown” that is on top of the animal’s head. Not only is it edible, it is also delicious. It is a delicacy used in Chinese and French cuisines, often as garnishes in various dishes. According to research, the food has properties that favor the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee.

Recently, it has been proven that eggshell can be used as a plant fertilizer with great results. Although, the most surprising thing is that the product can be consumed as a calcium supplement, due to its high mineral content. Obviously, you need to follow some steps before consuming.

Eggshells must be organic and brought to a boil or in an oven at 200 degrees. Also, they need to be ground to a very fine powder. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that consuming eggshells comes with some dangers, as all natural calcium supplements contain large amounts of toxic metals, such as mercury.

Don’t be fooled by the shiny surface of chemically treated leather, as the product, in its purest form, is edible. Pommo, for example, is processed bovine leather to be eaten with meat. The delicacy is highly appreciated in African countries like Nigeria. After much debate about the food’s supposed benefits, experts came to the conclusion that it it has no nutritional value.

Dandelion is the healthiest food on our list. And its beauty is directly proportional to the benefits it brings to our health. The plant is rich in vitamins C, A and K, in addition to the high content of antioxidants, iron and potassium. In addition, dandelion is used by many cultures as a medicine against inflammation. But for human consumption, it is important that the plant is grown organically.

Gold is biologically inert, which means it does not react chemically, passing through the digestive system without being absorbed by the intestine🇧🇷 It is for this reason that it is often used in decorating chocolate desserts. 24 karat gold is usually sold in sheets or flakes, which are the best ways for human consumption. If these sheets are worth less than 24 carats, then they are less pure. In such cases, consumption is not recommended.

Many people know the good properties of clay for decorating objects. What you may not know is that, in some parts of the world, clay is a common item in their diet, especially in the Middle East and Africa. THE clay favors digestion by eliminating toxins from the intestine🇧🇷 But keep in mind that we should only consume edible clay.

Chalk is a natural and non-toxic substance, as it is pure calcium carbonate. Although it does not provide health benefits to those who ingest it, it poses no risks. Most people who crave chalk do so because of a condition called allotriophagia. It makes people feel like eating products with no nutritional value, and this usually happens when the woman is pregnant or has an iron deficiency.

Current modeling clays are non-toxic and are very popular with children, who usually put them in their mouths. Therefore, many companies decided to produce the toy in the safest possible way. When of good quality, modeling clay is made from flour, water and salt — at least that’s what a manufacturer says about their product. However, it is not recommended to ingest modeling clay. If this happens, look for a health professional to check if there is any risk.

Some birds’ nests are edible, and are part of Chinese cuisine, drawing attention for their unique flavor and high nutritional value. They are made from the saliva of birds called swiftlets, which live in caves in Southeast Asia. As the collection of these nests is dangerous and their preparation is complex, they can cost more than 5 thousand dollars.

These nests are rich in protein. Traditionally they were eaten in soups, but today nests are used as a main ingredient in various dishes, drinks and even cosmetics.

Eating dirt is common, especially among children, but be aware that the practice is also adopted by some adults. The practice is called geophagy, which literally translates to “eating dirt” and similar substances like chalk. However, eating dirt can be very dangerous, mainly due to the chemical residues and parasites present.

Did you know that the products shown in this post are edible? What did you think of this information? Comment!