Learn about specific foods or ingredients. What they are used for, some historical background, chemical make-up, and more.
In every grocery store I shop at, apples take up the most real estate in the produce section. All year long, while other fruits come and go, shiny round apples sit waiting to be bought. Why are apples so popular? Besides the great taste and crisp texture, apples are hardy and useful. Read on to… Continue reading Apples
History According to tradition, candy canes were invented in Cologne, Germany in 1670. The choirmaster wanted a way to keep the children quiet during the living nativity held on Christmas Eve. He asked a candy maker for sweet sticks. To justify having the treats in church, he asked to have them made with a hook… Continue reading The Candy Cane
Baking soda and baking powder are in a lot of baking recipies. But why? And what is the difference between the two? Baking Soda Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). This white powder leavens foods. Through a series of chemical reactions sodium bicarbonate is broken down and releases carbon dioxide (CO2).… Continue reading Baking Soda and Baking Powder
One of my favorite assignments in college was to compile an ingredient notebook. We had to look at ingredient labels, pick out ingredients we didn't know, and find out what they were. It was amazing how much I learned from such a simple activity. In a few months I was able to identify most ingredients… Continue reading Guar Gum
Have you noticed the yogurt section in your grocery store lately? It is being taken over by Greek yogurt! In my grocery store over half of the space allotted for yogurt now has the Greek variety. So what makes Greek yogurt Greek? How is it different and why? What is Greek yogurt? Greek yogurt is… Continue reading What is Greek Yogurt?
With Easter this Sunday, I've been thinking about eggs. Eggs are common in Easter celebrations as a symbol of the resurrection. Christians believe that Christ rose from the tomb, and eggs are an appropriate symbol because new life emerges from them. Eggs are a staple in the kitchen. There are numerous ways to prepare eggs:… Continue reading Eggs: Fun Facts & Other Tidbits
The holiday season is a wonderful time for family and food. One year, as cooking was in full swing my dad help up a bottle of Canola oil and asked what plant it came from. The story behind the canola oil name is one of my favorite random food facts. Canola oil actually comes from… Continue reading What is Canola oil?
A Dash of Science 