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The Passport Kitchen

5 Unpopular Foods and Why They Should Make Their Way to Your Plate

November 14, 2025 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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The world is full of incredible foods, but some of them either have a bad reputation or just don’t show up in our shopping carts as often as they should.

Here are five foods you probably haven’t had much but should start adding to your regular rotation to spice things up!

Bitter Greens

Fresh endive and knife on a rustic wooden background.
Image Credit: Yulia von Eisenstein/Shutterstock.

Bitter greens, such as dandelion greens, arugula, and endive, often get pushed to the side because of their strong flavors. It makes sense—bitter is in the name, and most people don’t have the greatest relationship with bitter foods. However, these greens are nutrient-dense and can add complexity to your meals. Bitter greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants. They can also help balance out rich or fatty dishes, making them an excellent side dish for comfort foods or heavier meals.

Kohlrabi

Vegetarian vegetable salad of kohlrabi, carrots, cucumbers and green onions seasoned with oil close-up in a plate on a wooden table. Horizontal top view from above.
Image Credit: AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock.

Kohlrabi is rarely the first vegetable you’ll see someone reach for at the market. Frankly, most people either don’t know what it is or haven’t had it before. But this unique cruciferous vegetable is deliciously crisp and mildly sweet, making it a perfect side dish when you roast it or even just mashed up as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes. It’s way more versatile than it gets credit for and isn’t nearly as hard to find as you might think, so pick one up and try it!

Seaweed

top view or flay lay laminaria (Kelp) seaweed in a bowl on wood background with copy space.
Image Credit:boommaval/Shutterstock.

Seaweed is often associated with sushi, but this nutrient-rich food is much more versatile than you might think. With various types available, such as nori, dulse, and wakame, seaweed can add unique flavors and textures to your dishes. It’s also extremely versatile, lending itself nicely to salads, soups, and rice dishes. If you aren’t sure you’ll like seaweed, try picking up the seaweed snacks that are growing in popularity. These are salty, briny sheets that come in various flavors like sesame.

Miso

Traditional seasoning of Japanese MISO.
Image Credit:jazz3311/Shutterstock.

Miso is certainly not an underrated food, and it’s arguably not that unpopular, either. But what many people miss about miso is just how many different ways you can use it! Use miso to add depth to soups, dressings, and sauces. It can also be used as a marinade for meats and vegetables, imparting a savory richness that is hard to resist. Many bakers will even use it in caramels for a savory umami boost to help balance out the sweetness. So even if you’re enjoying miso already, know there’s a lot more mileage for you to get out of this Japanese staple!

Sunchokes

Freshly dug Jerusalem artichoke tubers kept in a basket.
Image Credit: iMarzi/Shutterstock.

Sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes are tubers that look like ginger. But their flavor is nowhere near the same: they have a nutty, sweet profile that can add a delightful twist to an otherwise basic meal. Sunchokes are also rich in prebiotic fiber that can promote a healthy microbiome, so they’re just as healthy as they are delicious. Much like with kohlrabi, you can treat these similarly to how you would potatoes. The best way to get ample flavor from yours is simply with some good olive oil and herbs, roasted and put next to a protein.

10 Beers Americans Can’t Stop Guzzling

Young woman in cute brown hat drinking a beer.
Image Credit: Robert Brown Stock/Shutterstock.

Each generation has its favorites when it comes to everything from apps to restaurants. They have clear preferences for certain beers as well. Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millenials each have favorite beers that are their go-to beverage for a night out.

10 Beers Americans Can’t Stop Guzzling 

20 Shocking Cooking Facts That Will Change Your Kitchen Forever

Close-up of girl eyes looking up to sky in contemplation. Young woman face eye opening.
Image Credit: True Touch Lifestyle/Shutterstock.

Cooking is a journey filled with surprises; sometimes, the most surprising truths are the hardest to swallow.

From debunking culinary myths to rethinking kitchen practices, here are 20 facts that might make you rethink your approach to food and cooking.

20 Shocking Cooking Facts That Will Change Your Kitchen Forever 

10 Grocery Store Foods Linked to Memory Loss

Elderly woman with bruised eye.
Image Credit: Barbara Sauder/Shutterstock.

Medical research shows that your diet has the potential to affect your mental function and overall brain health. We often focus on foods that affect our internal health but rarely give attention to the impact food has on our brains. Our brain uses 20-30% of the calories we consume.

While you may have an idea of foods that promote brain health, you may be surprised to find out that some foods you’re consuming could be affecting your focus and memory.

10 Grocery Store Foods Linked to Memory Loss 
 

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