The average American eats two pounds of garlic a year, and 14% of us put garlic on nearly everything we cook. Garlic has a host of health benefits and medicinal properties, and could help reduce cholesterol and heart disease. Furthermore, it contains antioxidants that may prevent the common cold, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of garlic. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of garlic?

Chili peppers were one of the first domesticated plants, farmed 6,000 years ago in Peru and Mexico. Since then, this spicy crop has found its way into many popular dishes, from Japanese ramens and Mexican burritos, to condiments like hot sauce. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of chili peppers. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of chili peppers?

Known as the ‘King of Vegetables’ in India, or the ‘crazy apple’ in Renaissance Italy, the eggplant can be found in food from around the world. From moussaka, to ratatouille, to brinjal bhaji, this vegetable is nutrient-dense, and high in antioxidants. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of eggplants. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of eggplants?

Corn is the number one commodity grown by U.S. farmers. In fact, America is the largest producer and consumer of corn worldwide, dubbed as a corn global superpower. This sweet-tasting vegetable is also highly versatile, used in a variety of foods from popcorn and tortillas to high-fructose corn syrup, which is found in various items like soda and baked goods. Corn is even utilized in some of the most unexpected places, like envelopes, batteries, and toothpaste! Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of corn. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of corn?

The character Popeye is known to favor spinach, and the fame of this cartoon helped increase spinach sales by 33% in the 1930’s. This leafy green is high in nutrition, but low in calories. It is also an incredible source of dietary magnesium and potassium, as well as being rich in vitamins K, A, E, and C, making it a very healthy choice. Spinach has become more popular in recent years, with sales rocketing by 20% from 2019 to 2020. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of spinach. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of spinach?

Mushrooms are one of the most fascinating parts of the ecosystem; they are actually genetically closer to humans than plants! A single honey mushroom in Oregon is the largest living organism on the planet, and of the 14,000 varieties, mushrooms can do anything from glow in the dark to aiding in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the culinary world, mushrooms are a tasty and healthy addition to a number of well-known dishes including stews, beef stroganoff, and pies. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of mushrooms. So, we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of mushrooms?

Cabbage was once considered a luxury vegetable. It was served as an Ancient Roman preventative measure for hangovers and as a sailor’s method for fending off scurvy. With over 400 varieties, this brassica is popular in dishes all over the world: from fermented Korean kimchi and stuffed Polish golabki to English bubble and squeak. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of cabbage. So, we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of cabbage?

The humble cauliflower has had a boom in popularity over the last few years. Thanks to gluten-free cauliflower pizza bases, and vegan cauliflower steaks, this vegetable is a staple ingredient in many popular recipes. Despite its current trendiness, cauliflower actually has been around for thousands of years, and was even mentioned in a book by Pliny in the 1st Century. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of cauliflower. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of cauliflower?

Asparagus has been cultivated for 2,500 years, and can be found in the world’s oldest cookery book – Apicius’ 9th Century ‘On the Subject of Cooking.’ In the right conditions, this vegetable can grow 2 inches a day! Filled with antioxidants and vitamins, asparagus is a fiber-rich healthy choice. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of asparagus. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of asparagus?

Kale is the face of healthy-eating, and one of the most nutritionally dense foods around. Prior to the 90’s, kale was largely grown as an ornamental plant, before a meteoric rise in popularity. Whether in green smoothies, kale chips, or salads, you have likely heard of the superfood power of kale. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of kale. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of kale?

As the third largest fresh vegetable industry in the United States, onions are a staple ingredient in many American households. In fact, onion consumption has risen by an enormous 79% over the last thirty years, and 93% of restaurants in America feature this root vegetable on their menus. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of onions. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of onions?

Roasted, fried, boiled, or mashed, potatoes are one of the more versatile vegetables, which is why they are the second most consumed food in the United States. Americans, on average, eat a potato every day. Potatoes were even the first vegetable to be grown in space! However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of potatoes. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of potatoes?

The humble carrot is a staple ingredient in kitchens around the world. So much so, that carrots take the winning role of America’s most trusted vegetable, and the sixth most consumed vegetable. Carrots are full of nutrients, antioxidants, and carotenoids. As an excellent source of Vitamin A, the debate about whether carrots can help you see in the dark is ongoing, but what cannot be disputed is the health benefits. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of carrots. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of carrots?

There is a bounty of lettuce varieties to choose from including romaine, iceberg, and little gem. Lettuce is high in nutrition, but low in calories. It is also rich in vitamin A, and folates, making it a very healthy choice. A star of every salad, lettuce is a very popular vegetable, with 10.7 lb of lettuce consumed per capita. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of lettuce. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of lettuce?

There are hundreds of varieties of salad greens; from spinach, arugula, and kale, to lettuce and cress. They are high in nutrition, but low in calories. They are also rich in vitamins A, C, K, B, and potassium, making them a very healthy choice. Over 40% of consumers report having purchased a salad mix over the last twelve months. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of salad mix. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of salad mix?