Browsing the Ingredient Library

FourFork maintains a comprehensive ingredient library with nutritional data, conversion factors, and detailed metadata.

Accessing the Ingredient Library

1. Click "Ingredients" in the main navigation
2. Browse or search for specific ingredients
3. Click any ingredient to view detailed information

Ingredient Categories

Ingredients are organized into categories:

• Produce: Vegetables, fruits, herbs
• Proteins: Meats, poultry, seafood, plant proteins
• Dairy & Eggs: Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs
• Grains & Pasta: Rice, pasta, bread, cereals
• Baking: Flour, sugar, leavening agents
• Pantry Staples: Oils, vinegars, condiments
• Spices & Seasonings: Dried herbs, spices, salt
• Beverages: Stocks, broths, wines
• Specialty: International ingredients, uncommon items

Ingredient Details

Each ingredient page shows:

• Name: Primary name and alternate names (AKA)
• Category & Type: How it's classified
• Nutritional Information: Calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber per 100g
• Dietary Properties: Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, allergen info
• Allowed Units: Which measurements work for this ingredient
• Size Variants: Small, medium, large (for produce)
• Conversion Factors: How to convert between units
• Prep Forms: Different preparation states (raw, cooked, diced, etc.)

Searching for Ingredients

Quick Search

• Type in the search box
• Results appear as you type
• Shows closest matches first

Filter by Category

• Select a category to narrow results
• Browse subcategories
• View all ingredients in that group

Filter by Type

• Narrow down to specific types
• Example: Leafy Greens, Root Vegetables, Citrus Fruits

Requesting New Ingredients

If you can't find an ingredient:

1. Click "Request New Ingredient"
2. Fill out the form:
   • Ingredient name
   • Category and type
   • Why you need it
   • Additional details
3. Submit the request
4. Admins review and add approved ingredients
5. You'll be notified when it's added

Ingredient Metadata

Nutritional Data

• Based on USDA database when available
• Shown per 100g for consistency
• Includes macros and key micronutrients

Allergen Information

• Common allergens are clearly marked:
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Tree nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Wheat/Gluten
  • Soy
  • Sesame

Dietary Tags

• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Nut-free
• Kosher/Halal friendly

How Ingredients Work in Recipes

When creating recipes:

• Start typing an ingredient name
• Autocomplete suggests matching ingredients
• Select from the library
• Choose your preferred unit
• Specify quantity
• Add prep form if needed (e.g., "diced", "cooked")

Ingredient Visibility

• Most ingredients are publicly visible
• Some specialty ingredients may be restricted
• Request access if you need restricted ingredients