A study from the University of Oxford and the UK's University of Edinburgh suggests that ancient peoples from the neolithic (around 4500 B.C.E.) regularly consumed bitter vetch, a plant that is mildly toxic to humans if unprocessed. The study used charred pulse seed coats found at the Ploča Mičov Grad complex near Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia to confirm that humans likely prepared this plant for consumption. While bitter vetches are not a staple in our diet today, the plant is drought-tolerant, can grow in low temperatures, and thrives in nutrient-poor soils, making it a compelling candidate for our future food system as the planet warms. The findings suggest a deep knowledge of how to make plants safe to eat and suggest that ancient communities understood food science far better than they're often given credit for their innovation.