Quiz of the Day
Food Around the World
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
International Hummus Day — global cuisine, food origins, cooking trivia
1. Which country is hummus most commonly associated with?
- Greece
- Lebanon
- Turkey
- It's disputed across the Middle East
Hummus ownership is one of food's biggest rivalries. Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and other countries all claim it. In 2010, Lebanon set the Guinness record with a 10,452 kg bowl — then Israel tried to beat it.
2. What is the world's most eaten food?
- Corn
- Bread
- Rice
- Potatoes
Rice feeds over half the world's population daily. Asia consumes 90% of it. A single grain of rice takes about 3,000-5,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram — making it one of the most water-intensive crops.
3. Which country invented pizza?
- United States
- Italy
- France
- Greece
The modern pizza originated in Naples in the 18th century. The Margherita pizza was allegedly created in 1889 for Queen Margherita, using tomato (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green) to represent the Italian flag.
4. What is the hottest chilli pepper in the world (as of 2025)?
- Trinidad Scorpion
- Dragon's Breath
- Carolina Reaper
- Pepper X
Pepper X measures 2.69 million Scoville Heat Units — over 200 times hotter than a jalapeño. Creator Ed Currie also created the Carolina Reaper. Eating one can cause 'the world to spin' according to testers.
5. Which country consumes the most chocolate per capita?
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- United States
- Germany
The Swiss consume about 10 kg of chocolate per person per year. Switzerland is home to famous chocolate brands including Lindt, Toblerone, and Nestlé. Swiss chocolate-making traditions date back to the 17th century.
6. What Japanese dish consists of vinegared rice with raw fish?
- Tempura
- Ramen
- Teriyaki
- Sushi
Original sushi (narezushi) was actually fermented fish preserved in rice — the rice was discarded. Modern sushi as we know it was invented in the 1820s in Edo (Tokyo) as a fast food for busy merchants.
7. What is the most expensive spice in the world by weight?
- Vanilla
- Saffron
- Cardamom
- Turmeric
Saffron costs $5,000-$10,000 per kg because each crocus flower produces only 3 tiny stigmas, which must be hand-picked. It takes about 150,000 flowers to produce just 1 kg of saffron.
8. Which country is the original home of the potato?
- United States
- Ireland
- Peru
- Russia
Potatoes were domesticated in Peru around 8000 BC. When the Spanish brought them to Europe, people were suspicious — some thought they were poisonous. Now the world produces about 370 million tonnes annually.
9. What is kimchi?
- A Chinese dumpling
- A Japanese noodle soup
- A Thai curry
- A Korean fermented vegetable dish
Koreans consume about 2 million tonnes of kimchi per year — roughly 40 kg per person. UNESCO added the tradition of making kimchi ('kimjang') to its cultural heritage list in 2013.
10. Which fruit is known as the 'king of fruits' in Southeast Asia?
- Jackfruit
- Lychee
- Durian
- Mango
Durian is banned on many forms of public transport in Singapore due to its pungent smell. Devotees describe its taste as 'rich custard', while haters compare the smell to 'rotting onions and gym socks'.
11. What traditional Ethiopian bread is also used as an edible plate?
- Tortilla
- Injera
- Naan
- Pita
Injera is a spongy sourdough flatbread made from teff flour. Diners tear off pieces and use them to scoop up stews (wots). Eating with your hands from a shared plate is a communal tradition called 'gursha'.
12. Which country produces the most coffee in the world?
- Ethiopia
- Brazil
- Vietnam
- Colombia
Brazil produces about one-third of the world's coffee. Coffee was originally from Ethiopia, where legend says a goat herder noticed his goats dancing after eating coffee berries. Brazil has been the top producer since the 1840s.
13. What is the French culinary term 'mise en place' mean?
- Raw food
- Fast cooking
- Everything in its place (preparation)
- Slow cooking
Professional chefs consider mise en place sacred — having all ingredients measured, cut, and organised before cooking begins. The philosophy extends beyond the kitchen: many use it as a life organisational principle.
14. Which Indian spice mix typically contains turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chilli?
- Curry powder
- Tandoori masala
- Chaat masala
- Garam masala
Ironically, 'curry powder' was invented by the British to approximate Indian flavours — no single blend called 'curry powder' exists in traditional Indian cooking. Each dish uses its own specific spice combination.
15. What is the world's most popular cuisine by restaurant count?
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Italian
- American
There are more Chinese restaurants worldwide than McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Subway combined. Chinese culinary traditions span eight major regional cuisines, each with distinct flavours and techniques.