Nectarines

Nectarines are thought to have originated in China, however the name nectarine comes from the word nectar which means the drink of the Gods.  They are rich in vitamin C.  They are similar to peaches but have a higher nutritional value.

Nutmeg

Nutmegs come from evergreen trees native to south East Asia and Australasia.  In Indian cusine the spice is almost always used in sweet dishes but in the Middle East it is used as a spice for savoury dishes.  Indonesia provides 75% of the world's nutmeg.

Oats

Oats are a popular grain in Northern Europe, particularly in Scotland where it is used in porridge and oatcakes. Oats have a high nutritional value.  When harvested, oats need to have their hard hulls removed.  When the hulls are removed the resultant product is oat groats.  Further production involves heating the oat and rolling it flat.  This product is called rolled oats.  If rolled oats are pre-cooked in water and then dried they are then called quick cooking oats.  We might find our cooking job faster if we use quick cooking oats but the quick oats lack the nutritional qualities that are lost in processing. 

Olive Oil

Olive oil is made from pressing tree-ripened green olives.  Almost the entire production of green olives in Italy is converted into olive oil. Due to different olive varieties there are variances in the flavour, consistency and colour of olive oil. Some olive oils are prized much like vintage wine.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced by the first pressing of the olives and has less than 1% acidity.
Virgin Olive Oil is produced from olives that are slightly riper than the ones used to make extra virgin oil. It has 1.5% acidity rating.
Refined Olive Oil has a natural acidity of greater than 3.3% and it doesn't have a great flavour or odour.
Pure Olive Oil is produced either from the second pressing of the olives or from the chemical extraction of the olive mash left after the first pressing. It is light in colour and bland in comparison to extra virgin oil.  This is a general purpose oil.
Olive oils with the word Pomace in the title are not good quality and are not recommended by olive oil experts.
Light and Extra Light Olive Oils contain the same number of calories as regular olive oil. They are derived from low quality olive oils and are produced through chemical processing. The word "light" is used to describe the colour and flavour and has nothing to do with the amount of fat in the oil.

Onions

Onions are high in energy and have good amounts of B6, B1, and Folic acid in them.  They contain chemicals which fight free radicals in our bodies.  Free radicals cause disease and destruction in our cells.  Onions have anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties in them.  These properties are most potent when the onion is eaten raw.  Onions raise the levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol and they lower the levels of the bad LDL cholesterol. 

Oranges

Eating an orange per day will usually supply sufficient vitamin C for an adult.  Oranges also contain phosphorous, potassium, calcium, beta carotene and fibre.  The pectin in oranges has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. 

Oregano

Oregano is a version of marjoram.  It grows wild in the Mediterranean region.  It is hardier than its very close cousin marjoram and it has a slightly stronger but less sweet taste than marjoram has.  Egypt produces 90% of the world's oregano.