Herbs deserve to be used much more liberally.

There used to be a time - it isn't so much the case now - that vegetarianism was some kind of religion, and either you belong or you don't belong.

There is a unique freshness when eating buckwheat noodles cold with plenty of herbs and citrus acidity. I can't think of any better use of chopsticks on a hot and sweaty evening.

I have to admit that I can't take a whole fig and eat it on its own as I would a peach or mango. It's just too much.

Believe it or not, I'm as much a fan of a supper shortcut as the next person.

Though not a true cereal but a fruit, buckwheat seeds resemble cereal grains and are often used in a similar way to rice, barley, bulgar or quinoa, usually as a side dish.