I can definitely recall at least a few occasions when I’ve bought ground beef from the grocery store only to get it home, pull it out to cook, and notice it looks a little gray. This has always been cause for concern as we’re used to seeing fresh ground beef appear more of a bright red color. However, ground beef that looks gray isn’t always cause for concern. Read ahead to learn more before you throw that next package of ground beef in the garbage.
If you notice your package of ground beef looks gray in the middle, there’s likely no need to throw it out. Meat contains something called oxymyoglobin which when exposed to oxygen, produces that bright red color we’re used to seeing with ground beef. When a package of ground beef looks gray in color in the middle, it likely just means it hasn’t yet been exposed to oxygen.
However, if the outside of your ground beef appears gray or brown, or the majority of the meat looks to be that color, it’s better to be safe than sorry and toss that package in the garbage. Something else worth noting is that if the meat smells funky or off in any way, it’s likely gone bad and needs to be thrown out.
It’s always wise to be vigilant about the quality and freshness of any meat you purchase. Hopefully these simple tips will help you to determine when your ground beef is safe, and when it should definitely be tossed.
Woman sees what she thought was a happy bird, then suddenly realises it’s something else
Embarking on a leisurely journey through the enchanting landscapes of Popran National Park in Australia, Kym Beechey found herself captivated by the allure of wildflowers, aiming to immortalize their beauty through her lens. Renowned for her unhurried hikes that allow her to fully absorb the marvels of nature, Beechey often faced the challenge of capturing the elusive movements of the area’s wildlife.
On a serendipitous day, fortune seemed to favor her when she spotted what initially appeared to be a young tawny frogmouth, bearing a striking resemblance to an owl, perched gracefully on a limb. A surge of excitement coursed through her veins, as avian subjects had proven to be notoriously swift for her camera.
Swiftly reaching for her phone, Beechey readied herself to capture the seemingly cheerful little bird. Zooming in for a closer look, a sense of anticipation enveloped her, only to be met with an unexpected twist. The smiling avian subject turned out to be none other than a banksia pod, a unique and charming pod that strikingly resembled a joyful bird.
As Beechey adjusted her camera to the revelation, it dawned on her that the seemingly animated “bird” was, in reality, a banksia pod, a distinctive and adorable pod that mimicked the appearance of a delighted bird. Banksia pods find their roots in banksia trees, primarily flourishing in southwestern Australia, with occasional sightings in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Diverging from the resemblance to conventional pine cones, banksia pods are distinct fruit structures unrelated to pine trees. Originating from the Banksia genus trees, these pods, notably those from the Bull Banksia species, boast a substantial and sturdy build, making them suitable for an array of wood applications.
The Banksia grandis species, recognized for producing sizable seed pods, injects an artistic flair into various crafts and frequently graces online markets. Once the vibrant red or yellow banksia flowers shed their petals, the cone perseveres on the tree, eventually giving birth to seeds. Remarkably, a single tree can host both blossoms and mature cones concurrently.
The unique visage of banksia pods emerges from their tendency to burst open, liberating seeds in the process. Although Beechey’s initial impression of encountering an endearing baby bird was misplaced, she embraced the delightful surprise with laughter. Despite the amusing deception, the encounter contributed another charming snapshot to her ever-growing collection of exquisite wildflowers.
Given their idiosyncratic traits, banksia pods possess an uncanny ability to be mistaken for other entities, with each pod presenting a distinctive appearance within its own realm. Have you ever stumbled upon a plant that, at first glance, bore an uncanny resemblance to something entirely different, perhaps masquerading as a bird or another creature?
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