Know your Herbs & Spices at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

Mama Sue suggested an interesting even to be held in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and we jumped into it.  I'm not sure if DinoBoy will enjoy it or not since its all about herbs and spices.  I'll never know if I did not give him or us a chance right?  So on the day, when I told him that we are going for the Herbs & Spice tour, he was ok with it and only happiness when I mentioned that Dumpling and Isa will be there.  Ah well.... better then having a glum face boy tagging along.

Every one reached the meeting point on time and the tour started soon after.  Meet our tour guide or Mr Guide as DinoBoy called him.

Our kids seems to be the ones who are raising hands to ask questions or answering questions, the other kids were kinda silent or perhaps they are just shy.  Mr Guide is very patient in answering the kids' (particularly DinoBoy hahaha!) endless questions, however non related or nonsensical or comical. 

You may think that I've made a mistake by including banana plant but it is really a herb & vegetable.  The trunk is not a true trunk, instead it made up of many leaves tightly wrapped around a single stem which emerges at the top as the fruit-bearing flower stalk.  Beside eating the banana, the banana flower or banana blossom is a delicacy found mostly in Malay dishes.  You can eat it raw or cook it with curry, stew or soup, I've yet to eat it and not sure if I want to try it if I chance upon it.

This is the first time I see the Breadfruit, it looks like jackfruit, that's cause they are close cousin.  I googled and managed to find some more information about this fruit at the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

A few weeks ago I posted this photo in my facebook asking if anyone knows what fruit is this.  I only received 1 reply and she is correct!  Its a tamarind fruit.  When Mr Guide asked for some volunteers to taste the fruit, DinoBoy eagerly raised up his hands, he took a lick on it and declared it "yucky!" then when Mr Guide asked about the taste, he replied that its tastes a little bit bitter, sour and sweet. 

It was a very eye opening and informative tour which I enjoyed a lot, despite the scorching sun I think we all had fun. 

After the tour ended, Mama Sue, Connie and myself plus the kids went off to find a cooling shade to have our little picnic lunch.  I captured some funny facial expressions by the kids while they were eating and chilling out.  And while we were walking back to the car, Mama Sue and the kids had a very interesting discussion about some monkey tales.  

This ended a very fruitful outdoor fun with good company, good food and good old fresh air and Sun.

Last but not least, before proceeding with the start of the tour Mr Guide asked every one a question "What is the difference between a herb and a spice?"  Any one of you know the answer?  Leave a comment to this post and see if you have to correct answer, I may send a prize along your way if I receive many comments *wink*