Food Facts & Fun

Food Facts is a listing of articles that teaches you how all types of foods, drinks and diets work.

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How Food Forests Fight Hunger in Cities

Forests in the city? A growing collection of urban edible forests aims to put a dent in world hunger and food insecurity.

By Alia Hoyt Jul 12, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Snap, Crackle, Pop — the Ultimate Cereal Quiz

Did you love cereal as a kid? Do you still love it? Discover how much you do with our cereal quiz.

By Alia Hoyt Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Does Canned Food Really Deserve a Bad Rap?

Canned foods are super convenient, but there's often a stigma attached to serving them. Is that warranted?

By Shaun Chavis Jun 13, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food Processing

Insect Ice Cream Could Be Coming to Your Grocery Store

Ice cream made with insect milk? A start-up in South Africa hopes you'll say, "Yes please!"

By Nathan Chandler Jun 5, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food Science

Good News! Nonalcoholic Beer No Longer Sucks

Once just an afterthought of the beer industry, today's nonalcoholic beer is tasty and outpacing the alcoholic stuff globally by two to one.

By Adina Solomon May 31, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Beverages

Ruby Chocolate: This New Confection Is Pink Perfection

Ruby chocolate is a growing worldwide sensation, but the exact recipe and processing techniques are closely guarded secrets.

By Tara Yarlagadda May 24, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Sweets & Snacks

What Is the Difference Between Jelly, Jam and Preserves?

They all taste good but they don't mean the same thing.

By Kathryn Whitbourne Food Facts & Fun / Sweets & Snacks

Poutine Is Routine in Canada

Poutine is just fries, gravy and squeaky cheese curds — how did it get to be Canada's national dish?

By Jesslyn Shields Apr 29, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

The Quest to Fix the Grocery Store Tomato

Grocery store tomatoes are all but flavorless anymore. A group of scientists is out to bring the ripe, red taste of summer back.

By Shaun Chavis Apr 23, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food Science

Blue Java: The Banana That Tastes Like Ice Cream

This banana has soft, sweet flesh and tastes a lot like vanilla custard or ice cream. One scoop or two?

By Tara Yarlagadda Apr 15, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Fruits & Vegetables

We're Car-hopping at the Varsity, the World's Largest Drive-in!

HowStuffWorks heads to Atlanta's Varsity drive-in to learn about the historic restaurant's car hops, and chat with Frank Jones, a car hop that's worked there for nearly 65 years.

Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Why Italian Is the International Language of Coffee

Espresso, latte, macchiato. The coffee bean didn't even originate in Italy, so why do so many coffee drinks have Italian names?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Jan 7, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Beverages

How Can You Tell if a Chicken Egg Is Fertilized?

Female chickens lay eggs whether they've mated with a rooster or not.

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 7, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food Science

You Can Never, Ever, Ever Stop Making Sourdough Bread

Did you know that sourdough starter has to be constantly fed?

By Stell Simonton Dec 6, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Breads & Grains

What's the Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider?

They are different, aren't they?

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 21, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Beverages

Melon Rinds, Carrot Tops and Other Produce 'Waste' You'll Enjoy Eating

We throw out tons of perfectly good parts of vegetables and fruits often because we don't know what to do with them. But there's a lot of treasure in the trash.

By Alia Hoyt Nov 20, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Fruits & Vegetables

What's the Difference Between White and Dark Meat Turkey?

Which do you prefer?

By Loraine Fick Nov 19, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food Science

The Humble History of Pumpkin Pie

It's a pie. Filled with squash. Who in the world decided that was a good idea?

By Shaun Chavis Nov 9, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Desserts

Did Quinoa Get Too Popular for Its Own Good?

As quinoa's popularity skyrocketed on the world stage, concern grew that it was becoming too expensive for the South Americans who originally depended on it. But what was really happening?

By Alia Hoyt Nov 5, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

These Grapes Really Do Taste Like Cotton Candy

Craving some sugary sweet cotton candy? Then reach for these grapes instead. You'll be shocked at how much they taste just like the spun stuff.

By Shaun Chavis Oct 23, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food Science

The Truth About Turmeric: What Health Benefits Does It Really Have?

Turmeric is having a moment right now as the spice du jour for promoting wellness and treating all kinds of conditions from arthritis to depression to indigestion. Does science back these claims up?

By Alia Hoyt Oct 10, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Herbs & Spices