Edible

Edible items in nature

Humans eat thousands of plant species; there may be as many as 75,000 edible species of angiosperms, of which perhaps 7,000 are often eaten.

Edible plants found in nature include flowers, seeds, berries, seaweed, and cacti. Being able to identify the versions of these plants that are safe to eat is an important survival skill. Some fungi, including certain types of mushrooms, are also edible.

Many animals are also edible, including domesticated livestock as well as wild insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Advocates of the increase in consumption of edible insects cite the environmental benefits of being able to raise more food using less land while producing fewer greenhouse emissions. More than 1,900 insect species have been documented as being used for food, including ants and beetle larvae in the diets of some African and Australian tribes, and crispy-fried locusts and beetles enjoyed as street food in parts of Thailand.

Etymology

The term "edible" dates back to the 1590s. It originates from the Latin word "edibilis" (eatable), which comes from the word "edere" (to eat), which comes from the prefix "ed-" (to eat).

References

References

1. (30 December 2019). "Usage Notes: Putting 'Edible' and 'Eatable' on the Table".
2. (1 February 2008). "Plant Diversity in the Human Diet: Weak Phylogenetic Signal Indicates Breadth". BioScience.
3. Department of the Army. (23 June 2009). "The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants". Skyhorse Publishing.
4. (2020). "The potential of using wild edible animals as alternative food sources among food-insecure areas in Indonesia". Journal of Health Research.
5. (2013). "Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
6. "edible".