Dinosaur Food: 100 million year old foods we still eat today
Hacker News
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Discover how ancient foods that predate even the dinosaurs have survived millions of years and remain part of our modern diet. From the iconic Ginkgo biloba, a 290-million-year-old plant whose nuts are still cherished in dishes like Chawanmushi, to the horseshoe crab, which dates back 480 million years, these species offer a fascinating glimpse into Earth's culinary history.
The maidenhair tree, or Ginkgo biloba, stands as a living fossil, its unique fan-shaped leaves and nutritious seeds unchanged for over 290 million years. Similarly, the sago palm (Cycas revoluta), with its ancient roots tracing back 200 million years, continues to provide sustenance through its starch-rich trunk. These plants not only survive but thrive, adapting to changing environments while maintaining their original forms.
Reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) and the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), whose edible seeds have been consumed for 160 million years, highlight nature's remarkable resilience. The cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), dating back 70 million years, adds another layer to this prehistoric culinary legacy, showcasing the diversity of ancient foods still enjoyed today.
These ancient foods hold significance beyond their historical value. They offer insights into sustainable living and remind us of nature's enduring adaptability. For tech enthusiasts, these survivors symbolize innovation through resilience—a lesson in longevity and coexistence with Earth's ever-changing landscape.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/19/2026