Chomp!

The jungle holds many secrets ... delicious secrets. Where would society be without, oh, say, chocolate and vanilla, which are both tropical plants? Contemplating a chocolate- and vanilla-free world makes us think of a postcard we saw that showed pictures of salt, pepper, and Sweet'N Low. It was captioned “The Herbs and Spices of Ohio.” And, honestly, black pepper doesn't even grow in Ohio. Of course, we’re lucky here in sunny California to have tons of native and otherwise easy-access tasty treats -- wine comes to mind -- but the point is, we’d be living very different lives without chocolate and vanilla. At "Edible Expeditions," a new exhibition of food plants that come to us from far away, many generous leafy friends are on display, including papaya, guava, and allspice specimens. You can walk right up to a small palm and say, "Thank you, banana tree! I appreciate you." Kids' activities involve treat-getting, don't worry, but also art and fun sniffing games. Pineapple, curry, and the plant that brings us yerba mate are other featured botanicals -- without which we'd exist on salt and Sweet'N Low.
May 7-Nov. 1, 2009