Encyclopaedia Britannica

Cumin is an annual plant of the parsley family. Dried fruits of the cumin plant, which look more like seeds, are used as a spice in many different cuisines. If it helps, the difference between an herb and a spice has to do with which part of the plant is used. 🧵⬇️

Herb = leafy part of plants Spice = aromatic seeds, bark, flowers, and roots of plants that have been dried and crushed So, depending on which part of the cumin plant you use, it could either be considered an herb or a spice.

For no reason at all: how does salt melt ice? There is a layer of water above ice, which allows salt to dissolve into ions. Ions make it harder for water molecules to bond together into ice crystals. This is called 'freezing point depression,' and no, SAD lamps don't help.🧵⬇️

That’s why table salt can melt ice down to about -10°F, while calcium chloride can melt ice down to about -25° F.

For no reason at all: how does salt melt ice? There is a layer of water above ice, which allows salt to dissolve into ions. Ions make it harder for water molecules to bond together into ice crystals. This is called 'freezing point depression,' and no, SAD lamps don't help.🧵⬇️

When a container of mixed nuts is shaken, the largest nuts rise to the top. This phenomenon is known as the ‘Brazil nut effect,’ and there are a couple of mechanisms at play. Or: “Making physics fun with snacks.” 🧵⬇️

We’re also dealing with granular convection, which is when particles rise in the middle and sink at the walls. When particles are differently shaped, the larger particles rise to the middle, but are too big to fall back down the sides.

When a container of mixed nuts is shaken, the largest nuts rise to the top. This phenomenon is known as the ‘Brazil nut effect,’ and there are a couple of mechanisms at play. Or: “Making physics fun with snacks.” 🧵⬇️

Protestors are currently flying an old version of Iran’s flag, both in Tehran and worldwide as their movement gains momentum. Here’s some information on the old flag, as well as Iran’s current one.

If lizards had legs, they'd kick you. (they do and they would)

A timeline of the January 2nd U.S. military mission to arrest and remove Venezuelan Pres. Nicolás Maduro and his wife. 🧵⬇️

A timeline of the January 2nd U.S. military mission to arrest and remove Venezuelan Pres. Nicolás Maduro and his wife. 🧵⬇️

A timeline of the January 2nd U.S. military mission to arrest and remove Venezuelan Pres. Nicolás Maduro and his wife. 🧵⬇️

During his lifetime, Claude Monet painted more than 250 water lilies paintings, seemingly never stopping to say, “Enough. Enough for now.”

Of animal skeletons she collected, O'Keeffe said: “To me they are as beautiful as anything I know… . The bones seem to cut sharply to the center of something that is keenly alive on the desert.”

During his lifetime, Claude Monet painted more than 250 water lilies paintings, seemingly never stopping to say, “Enough. Enough for now.”

All I want for Christmas is…a painting of a mouse riding a lobster. Christmas cards during the Victorian Era tended to be rather unusual, reflecting an offbeat sense of humor before Christmas iconography had solidified into what it is today. Let’s shake this tree down. 🧵⬇️

The increased popularity of novelty cards also meant that middle-class families could own a piece of art to display in their homes. And who wouldn’t want a coy boot-wearing onion hanging on your wall??

All I want for Christmas is…a painting of a mouse riding a lobster. Christmas cards during the Victorian Era tended to be rather unusual, reflecting an offbeat sense of humor before Christmas iconography had solidified into what it is today. Let’s shake this tree down. 🧵⬇️

With the advancement of printing processes, cards became cheaper and more accessible. Card companies began commissioning artists to create designs specifically for Christmas cards. To keep up with competition, the designs became more original.

All I want for Christmas is…a painting of a mouse riding a lobster. Christmas cards during the Victorian Era tended to be rather unusual, reflecting an offbeat sense of humor before Christmas iconography had solidified into what it is today. Let’s shake this tree down. 🧵⬇️

Queen Victoria, whose mother and husband were born in Germany, is credited with bringing German holiday traditions like Christmas trees and card-giving to England in the 1830s.