Cowpea is a gem gifted to the world by thousands of African farmers and gardeners who selected genetics over millennia for myriad forms of this incredible crop resource. Long pre-dating the Colombian era, cowpeas made their way into India and eventually Southeast Asia where…

Tree tomato, also called tamarillo, is a fascinating fruit species that mostly predominates in the highland tropics.  Years ago my interest was piqued by this fascinating South American species, especially after reading about it in the fantastic book Lost Crops of the Incas.  What’s not…

Onions and their related Allium allies are a staple vegetable of cuisine all around the world. Every culture that I am aware of values onions for the irreplaceable flavor they bring to food. This fact merits research and experimentation for all regions on how…

Overview Cassava is one of the major staple foods of humanity, especially in the developing countries of the tropics where it provides a reliable source of calories when other crops may fail.  The dense, starchy roots were historically a crucial food source for many…