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Food History

  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt with pup in car

    How FDR Championed The Dirty Martini

    Plenty of drinkers have a favorite go-to cocktail, but President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was particularly loud and proud about his love for the dirty martini.

    By Buffy Naillon July 4th, 2024 Read More
  • Boston cream pie with slice

    How Boston Cream Pie Got Its Inaccurate Name

    If you've ever seen a Boston cream pie, then you know the name of this classic dessert is pretty misleading. However, it wasn't always that way.

    By Kathryn Steane July 3rd, 2024 Read More
  • Sandwich with pickles with ridges

    Why Do Sandwich Pickles Have Ridges?

    Pickles on sandwiches have had ridges on them for as long as most people can remember -- but why are they like that? A few theories stand out.

    By Allie Ward July 1st, 2024 Read More
  • Bundle of bananas

    Your Great Grandma Wouldn't Recognize Today's Bananas

    You're not eating the same bananas that your grandparents (or great-grandparents) grew up eating. Before the 1960s, bananas tasted different. Here's why.

    By Jonathan Kesh July 1st, 2024 Read More
  • Bowl of creamy clam chowder

    One Man Hated Manhattan Clam Chowder So Much He Tried To Make It Illegal In Maine

    Everyone has foods that disagree with them, but one man had such a distaste for Manhattan clam chowder that he literally worked to outlaw it.

    By Tim Forster June 30th, 2024 Read More
  • Club sandwiches and fries.

    The Club Sandwich Was Created In An Exclusive Club, But Nobody's Sure Which One

    We know the club sandwich was created in an exclusive New York clubhouse, but which one first came up with this culinary classic?

    By Matthew Lee June 29th, 2024 Read More
  • A Kinder Surpise Egg

    Why Kinder Surprise Eggs Are Illegal In The United States

    While we have Kinder Bueno in the U.S., you're not going to spot a Kinder Surprise Egg, which bears a small mystery toy inside. See why the FDA clamped down.

    By Andrew Amelinckx June 29th, 2024 Read More
  • bowl with salsa golf

    Salsa Golf: The Obscure Sauce Created By A Nobel Prize Winner

    Not many condiments can claim a connection to the world's most prestigious award, but salsa golf and the Nobel Prize share a scientist in common.

    By Andrew Amelinckx June 28th, 2024 Read More
  • honey cake dusted with powdered sugar

    The Ancient Roman Origins Of Birthday Cake

    Ancient Romans were no strangers to lavish feasts and celebrations. They are even credited with being among the first cultures to have birthday cake.

    By Alex Springer June 25th, 2024 Read More
  • Pouring red wine into glass

    When In Rome, Add A Pinch Of Salt To Elevate Your Glass Of Red Wine

    If you've never added a pinch of salt to your glass of wine, maybe it's time you start doing so. But don't take our word for it - just ask Ancient Rome.

    By Camryn Teder June 25th, 2024 Read More
  • airline stewardess pushing food cart

    The Fascinating History Of Airplane Food

    Airline food used to be the height of glamorous fine dining. Now, it's the butt of countless jokes. What went wrong with in-flight dining to cause such a fall?

    By Elias Nash June 24th, 2024 Read More
  • Ice cream sundaes

    Ice Cream Sundaes Were Invented Because Of A Bizarre Law

    The United States' laws have changed a lot over the years, but one law actually gave us the sundaes we know and love today, including its unique spelling.

    By Andrew Amelinckx June 24th, 2024 Read More
  • Different pasta shapes

    5 Obscure Pasta Shapes With Fascinating Backstories

    There are hundreds of unique and delicious pasta shapes in the world, and here are the unique backstories behind some of the stranger designs.

    By Tony Cooper June 24th, 2024 Read More
  • Farmer harvesting red coffee cherries

    What Your Coffee's Source Country Tells You About Its Flavor

    Coffee is enjoyed all around the world, and where it comes from has a significant impact on its flavor. Here's what its origins can tell you about its taste.

    By Matthew Lee June 23rd, 2024 Read More
  • Julia Child in her kitchen

    The Only Cooking Tasks Julia Child Used Her Microwave For

    It's never a bad idea to borrow some cooking tips from Julia Child, and while it wasn't always her friend, there were somethings she used the microwave for.

    By Buffy Naillon June 22nd, 2024 Read More
  • Two street hot dogs with onion sauce

    What Are 'Dirty Water' Hot Dogs?

    Sure, they might sound unappetizing, but New York City's 'dirty water' hot dogs are actually delicious, and here's why they've got that unusual name.

    By Alex Springer June 16th, 2024 Read More
  • punch with lemons

    Party Like It's 1795 With This Boozy Philadelphia Punch

    America's Founding Fathers sure enjoyed their booze. And according to legend, George Washington drank too much of a very boozy Philadelphia punch.

    By Patricia Grisafi June 16th, 2024 Read More
  • Bottle and glass of moonshine.

    Is Moonshine Still Illegal In The US? The Answer Is Complicated

    Moonshine is a name that's familiar to most Americans, but has the government finally changed its mind about this pungent liquor and made it legal at last?

    By Matthew Lee June 16th, 2024 Read More
  • spilled jar of salt

    The Macabre Origin Of The Phrase 'Take It With A Grain Of Salt'

    When you hear the phrase "take it with a grain of salt," it seems pretty harmless. But the truth is that its origins have a much darker meaning. Here's why.

    By Chloe O'Donnell June 15th, 2024 Read More
  • Flatbread on a grill

    How Vikings Stored Their Bread And Why It Worked

    While you might keep your loaves in a box or plastic bag, the Vikings had an ingenious and resourceful way of storing their bread for future enjoyment.

    By Buffy Naillon June 14th, 2024 Read More
  • James Beard smiling

    Iced Coffee Spiked With Whiskey Is James Beard-Approved

    Iced coffee with a splash of whiskey is an elite brunch beverage, and one that was favored by culinary expert James Beard. Of course, he jazzed his up.

    By Matthew Lee June 14th, 2024 Read More
  • Bottle of Tabasco sauce

    The Critical Process Behind Tabasco Sauce's Iconic Red Color

    In the case of Tabasco sauce, the company was after consistency of flavor and color, so it needed an easy way to find the peppers that were at peak ripeness.

    By Andrew Amelinckx June 13th, 2024 Read More
  • Joey Chestnut arms raised

    Joey Chestnut's Most Glorious Moments As A Nathan's Hot Dog Contest Champion

    Joey Chestnut is royalty in the competitive eating game, particularly Nathan's Hot Dog Contest. See his career highlights, including when he unseated Kobayashi.

    By Chloe O'Donnell June 12th, 2024 Read More
  • packs of Juicy Fruit Gum

    Juicy Fruit Gum Existed During The Gilded Age

    You might think that Juicy Fruit gum is a fairly recent invention, but it actually existed during the Gilded Age, which ran from the 1870s to the late 1890s.

    By Robyn Blocker June 9th, 2024 Read More
  • City Tavern building in Philadelphia

    The Historic Restaurant Where The First-Ever 4th Of July Was Celebrated

    The first ever 4th of July was celebrated at a historic restaurant that was frequented by plenty of famous American figures. Here's what it was.

    By Emmy Schneider-Green June 8th, 2024 Read More
  • child and dad sharing ice cream

    4 Nostalgic Treats That Have Been Totally Reinvented

    Craving an old-school snack? You're in luck, because most of your favorites have been reinvented. Here's why these four nostalgic treats are making a comeback.

    By Emmy Schneider-Green March 2nd, 2024 Read More
  • Broken crust of ancient pie

    Pastry Wasn't Exactly For Eating In The 16th Century

    We all know and love pastries as a soft and sweet breakfast or dessert. However, the actual origins of pastry-making indicate the exact opposite.

    By Matthew Lee February 18th, 2024 Read More
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