Q 01/05

Which sour citrus fruit, grown on a large scale in Calabria in Italy, gives Earl Grey tea its flavour?

A) Clementine

B) Pomelo

C) Bergamot

D) Kumquat

Answer · why

C) Bergamot

Bergamot is so tied to Reggio di Calabria that the fruit has become a symbol of the entire city. Its aromatic oil also flavours Turkish delight.

Q 02/05

Which aromatic resin from Boswellia trees of Somalia and Oman was one of the three gifts of the Magi?

A) Myrrh

B) Frankincense

C) Balm of Gilead

D) Gum arabic

Answer · why

B) Frankincense

Frankincense is harvested so heavily that researchers warn every Boswellia species is threatened by overexploitation and habitat loss.

Q 03/05

Which conifer's berry-like cones are distilled for aromatherapy oil and also give gin its distinctive flavour?

A) Juniper

B) Cypress

C) Hemlock

D) Larch

Answer · why

A) Juniper

Juniper cones flavour gin while they are fully grown but still unripe, whereas cooks usually prefer the mature, dark berries.

Q 04/05

Which tree, whose leaves make up most of a koala's diet, yields an essential oil rich in cineole?

A) Bottlebrush

B) Acacia

C) Banksia

D) Eucalyptus

Answer · why

D) Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrition and contain toxic compounds that deter most other mammals from feeding on them.

Q 05/05

Wintergreen oil is about 98% methyl salicylate, a close chemical relative of which common painkiller?

A) Ibuprofen

B) Aspirin

C) Paracetamol

D) Codeine

Answer · why

B) Aspirin

Aspirin is such a close cousin that one millilitre of wintergreen oil equals almost six regular-strength adult tablets, which makes swallowing the oil...