1Saffron
During the Middle Ages, saffron was so expensive some traders would try to increase their profits by bulking up the herb with yellow marigold petals. When authorities in Nuremberg, where the herb was mainly traded, found out about these tainted parcels of saffron, the traders were burned alive.
2Chili peppers
Chili peppers evolved to be spicy because heat repels most animals except for birds, which are responsible for spreading their seeds.
3Lemon balm
Lemon balm not only acts as a mild sedative and sleep aid but also boosts memory performance.
4Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains an extremely potent aromatic compound called solo tone and when consumed in heavy amounts, can prompt a sweet maple odor in sweat and urine.
5Licorice
Licorice is mildly poisonous and should not be eaten during pregnancy or in quantities exceeding 70-150 grams per day.
6Spearmint
The flavors of spearmint and caraway are chiral molecules. They have the exact same molecular composition, but their orientation (left or right) makes them taste and smell different from one another.
7Poppy seeds
Poppy seeds can cause drug tests to test positive for heroin.
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8Black pepper
Black pepper can stop bleeding and take away the soreness of a cut.
9Paprika
Paprika is simply made from the dried and ground bell and/or chill peepers.
10Turmeric
If you add saffron or turmeric to mayonnaise, you can no longer legally call it mayonnaise in the US.
