Afghanistan's National Dish is a Fragrant Rice Pilaf with Carrots and Raisins

The Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations drank cacao for over 3,500 years — but their version was cold, bitter, and spiced with chili and cornmeal, often frothed by pouring between vessels. Europeans added sugar and heat only after the 16th century. The word 'chocolate' comes from the Nahuatl word 'xocolatl'.

In 1762, John Montagu — the 4th Earl of Sandwich — reportedly asked for sliced meat placed between two pieces of bread so he could eat without leaving the gambling table. The story was recorded by explorer Edward Gibbon. Others may have eaten similar food before, but the Earl's habit popularized the name.

Botanically, a true nut must be a hard-shelled fruit that doesn't split open to release its seed, like chestnuts or acorns. Peanuts are legumes that grow underground. Almonds and cashews are the seeds of drupes (stone fruits), like peaches or plums. Ironically, bananas and watermelons are technically berries.

In 1962, Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant living in Ontario, Canada, first put pineapple on pizza at his restaurant 'The Satellite' in Chatham. Inspired by the sweet-and-savory combinations of Chinese cuisine, he created what became one of the world's most controversial pizzas. It has no connection to Hawaii.