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Tokyo is not the capital of Japan

Tokyo is not officially designated as the capital of Japan according to any specific law or constitution. Although there are laws such as the Capital Area Development Law that refer to Tokyo and its surrounding areas as the "metropolitan area," these laws do not explicitly designate Tokyo as the capital. The purpose of such laws is primarily focused on the development and construction of the area, rather than establishing Tokyo as the capital. The term "metropolitan area" was used in these laws to provide a clear definition of the region to be developed under the legislation, and it does not serve as a formal designation of the capital. This law came into effect in 1956. The Japanese word for capital is "shuto," which can be translated as "chief major city." This term was first used after World War II. Initially, Tokyo was referred to as "teito," meaning "Imperial Capital" or "Imperial City." However, by the 1950s...

Tomatoes are fruits and vegetables

Tomatoes gave the best of both worlds. They're fruits and vegetables as well. Feel free to refer to a tomato by any name you prefer. Regardless of what you call it, this delicious fruit remains just as appetizing. Tomatoes, although classified as fruits by botanists, are often considered vegetables by nutritionists. Botanically speaking, fruits are the mature ovaries of flowers that contain seeds. In this sense, tomatoes, plums, zucchinis, and melons are all examples of edible fruits. Surprisingly, other objects such as maple "helicopters" and floating dandelion puffs are also classified as fruits. However, from a nutritional standpoint, the term "fruit" typically refers to sweet and juicy botanical fruits, while "vegetable" encompasses a broader range of plant parts that are lower in fructose content. In many societies, vegetables are commonly served as part of main dishes or as side dishes, while sweet fruits are often enjoyed as snacks or dess...

Spiciness isn't a taste

Our sense of taste is comprised of five basic tastes: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami. These tastes, along with our sense of smell, contribute to our perception of different flavors. The bumps on our tongue, called papillae, house taste buds that contain taste receptor cells. Each taste bud contains 50-100 receptor cells that can be activated by proteins, molecules, and ions present in our food. Salty and sour tastes are produced by ion activation, while different proteins and molecules trigger the sensations of sweet, bitter, and umami. Contrary to a common myth, taste buds for all tastes are found all over the tongue, rather than being limited to specific regions. When these receptor cells are activated, they send electrical signals to the brain, enabling the translation of food chemicals into taste sensations. Spice, despite not being a basic taste detected by the tongue, elicits a distinct sensation. While foods contain tastants that stimulate th...

When you eat an pineapple, it eats you back

Some people may experience a slight burning sensation on their tongue while enjoying a piece of pineapple. Interestingly, this sensation is not due to the acidity of the fruit. The culprit behind the burning is an enzyme called bromelain, which is present in pineapple. Bromelain has the ability to break down proteins and is commonly used as a meat tenderizer. When you consume pineapple, bromelain attempts to break down the proteins in your mouth, resulting in a tingling, burning, and possibly even bleeding sensation. In a sense, it feels like the pineapple is "eating you back." Fortunately, there's no need to worry, as your mouth will heal quickly, and the acidic environment of your stomach provides protection. To reduce the burning sensation, you can try a couple of approaches. Firstly, removing the stem of the pineapple before eating it may help, as bromelain is primarily concentrated in the stem. Another option is to cook the pineapple. The application of hea...