Do you know your food?

Where does ketchup originate from?

• China

• United States

• United Kingdom

Answer explanation

Ketchup comes from the Hokkien Chinese word, kê-tsiap, the name of a sauce derived from fermented fish. It is believed that traders brought fish sauce from Vietnam to southeastern China.

The British likely encountered ketchup in Southeast Asia, returned home, and tried to replicate the fermented dark sauce.

Read on to find out more: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/how-was-ketchup-invented

What is the name of this variety of sushi?

• Gunkan-maki

• Nigiri

• Temaki

• Uramaki

Answer explanation

Gunkan maki is a type of maki—“rolled” or “wrapped” sushi—and was invented in a Ginza sushi restaurant in the 1940s. It’s made by wrapping a wide strip of nori around a rice ball while leaving enough space at the top to be filled with various ingredients. The name, translated as “battleship” or “warship” sushi, comes from its shape, resembling a tiny ship.

Rank the drink from the highest amount of caffeine to the lowest.

a) A&W Root Beer

b) Coca Cola Classic

c) Nescafe 3-in-1 instant coffee

d) Red bull

• c>d>a>b

• c>d>b>a

• d>c>a>b

• d>c>b>a

Answer explanation

Caffeine levels can be tested by using UV Spectroscopy or using a suitable solvent to extract caffeine. Read on to find out more: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/blog/eureka-lab/making-caffeine-content-crystal-clear

Rank the food item from the highest antioxidant level to the lowest.

a) Blueberries

b) Cauliflower

c) Walnuts

• a>b>c

• b>a>c

• c>a>b

• c>b>a

Answer explanation

Antioxidant levels in fruits and vegetables can be tested using DPPH assay and UV spectroscopy, which are available in NJC!

Select the false statement(s).

• The bubble in bubble tea refers to the pearls that look like bubbles.

• Bubble tea was invented in 2001.

• The original bubble tea is made from black tea.

Answer explanation

- The “bubble” is actually the froth that you get from shaking the drink. The most authentic bubble tea is actually made with freshly brewed black tea, milk and sugar, and then you shake everything with ice in a cocktail shaker.

Shaking the tea gives it a bubble froth on top of the drink, creating its namesake, the “bubble” tea.

- Bubble tea is said to be invented in 1980s. Read on more to find out: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/bubble-tea-inventor/index.html

Which dish(es) is/are made up of rice?

• Biryani

• Paella

• Pulut hitam

• Risotto

• Tteokbokki

Which statement about Singapore's egg supply is true?

• There are two egg farms in Singapore.

• 30% of imported eggs come from Malaysia.

• Singapore farms contributed 30% of total eggs consumption in 2021.

Answer explanation

- Singapore currently has three egg farms - Seng Choon, Chew's and N&N. The fourth egg farm will be fully operational from 2026.

- Currently, more than 50% of imported eggs come from Malaysia.

Select the correct statement(s) about durians.

• Malaysia is the biggest exporter of durians in the world.

• Durians belong to the same family as lady's fingers.

• Raw durian seeds are safe for consumption.

• Durian trees can be found in NJC.

Answer explanation

- Thailand is the biggest exporter of durians in the world.

- Both durian and lady's finger (okra) are from the Malvaceae plant family.

- Raw seeds are not safe to consume because they contain cyclopropene fatty acids – a cancer-causing substance.

Which country's diet is the most unhealthy (diabetes & obesity)?

• China

• India

• Japan

• Singapore

• United States

Answer explanation

Read on to find out more on the study done: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30041-8/fulltext

Which country's diet is the most healthy (diabetes & obesity)?

• China

• India

• Japan

• Singapore

• United States

Answer explanation

Read on to find out more on the study done: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30041-8/fulltext