Reviving Forgotten Foods: From Traditional Knowledge to Innovative and Safe Mediterranean Food Design.

ABSTRACT: Global food security and dietary diversity depend on identifying novel and sustainable food sources. Wild edible plants (WEPs) traditionally used in Mediterranean regions offer considerable potential due to their rich history of use. Here, ethnobotanical knowledge was systematically compiled for the fruits and cones of five taxa (Arbutus unedo, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Pinus spp. and Rosa spp.), documenting alimentary uses, preparation and conservation methods across diverse food categories. Analysis of over 2800 traditional use reports identified 54 distinct alimentary uses from 16 categories, with raw consumption and sweet preserves being the most prevalent. Rosa spp. exhibited the highest diversity of uses (36), whereas the family Pinaceae

SUBMITTER: Balant M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12785694 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature