Food Facts & Fun

Movie stars, musicians and professional athletes have had the celebrity corner locked down for decades. But these days, there's a new breed of celebrity that wields a whisk and a wooden spoon instead of a guitar or baseball bat.

By Alia Hoyt & Emilie Sennebogen

Where can you find the world's best pasta? The obvious answer is Italy, where the food staple originated. But did the Italians take a culinary cue from the Chinese? Were Marco Polo and Kublai Khan swapping recipes in the 13th century?

By Cristen Conger

Congratulations! Your baby is ready to start eating solid foods. Now what? You could buy jars of baby food off the grocery store shelf to meet this need, but making homemade baby food is almost as easy as boiling water.

By Heather Kolich

Find yourself dreaming about mounds of sweet, delectable candy? You aren't alone. The average person in the United States eats 10 pounds of chocolate per year -- and that's just chocolate! Join the ranks and check out this candy image gallery.

By Marie Bobel

When farmers go to market, they cut out the middleman and bring fresher products to the consumer. So how do farmers' markets run, and where can you find one?

By Maria Trimarchi

If your morning routine includes a cup or two of coffee, you may know a few things about it. It's a stimulant drink, it comes from beans that are roasted and ground and, for many of us, it's a staple of life.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

In the 1,400 years since the pretzel was invented, bakers have come up with a wide variety of shapes and flavors. These fun facts show how adaptable and versatile this twisted snack truly is.

By Jeremy Glass

You'd be hard pressed to find a Canadian restaurant in the United States (except for the 300 Tim Hortons franchises...we'll get to that), but Canada's cultural and geographic diversity has produced quite a few foods that can boast Canadian heritage.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Cheese has been around in the Mesopotamian region since before 6000 B.C. That's a long time for a food to gain notoriety in the culinary world. See what cheese has been up to for the past couple of thousand years in this cheese facts article.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Mushrooms, whether cultivated or harvested wildly, can provide a delicious addition to any meal. Learn more mushroom facts about these fungi.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Organic foods and other products are popping up everywhere. USDA organic seals make them fairly easy to spot. But what's behind the label? How do products become certified organic?

By Maria Trimarchi

Many people believe buying organic or local food helps the environment. But which purchase is more environmentally sound? Is it better to buy pesticide-free food from exotic spots or local food from non-organic farms?

By Maria Trimarchi

Flavorists are enlisted by food manufacturers to concoct new and improved flavors for food. But how natural is the process?

By Sarah Dowdey

From Mom's apple pie to a healthy afternoon snack, this scrumptious fruit has long been a part of our culture. Learn all about the various baking apples from Granny Smith to McIntosh.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

American french fries have nothing to do with France. It is named for the cooking term frenching, which means to cut in lengthwise strips. Find out more about french fries, including what the are actually called in France.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Flat-leaf parsley, Italian parsley, Chinese parsley, and cilantro - what is the difference? Read this article to find out the answer to all of your parsley questions.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Soy can be found in soy milk, soy cheese products, soy sauce and other foods and can offer many health benefits. It is a good source of protein, it's low in saturated fats and contains no cholesterol. Read this article to learn more about how to add soy to your diet.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Pineapples should smell aromatic and sweet in the supermarket. Read more tips in this article about how to pick a good pineapple.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Sherbet and sorbet are nearly identical in name and ingredients so it's no wonder we often confuse the two. So what makes these two frozen desserts different?

By Sharise Cunningham

Full-bodied wines have a rich, complex, well-rounded flavor that lingers in the mouth. Learn more about the differences of full-bodied wines and other wines in this article.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

If you've ever asked yourself "How many different types of chili pepper are out there and how can I tell which one are hot and which are mild?", you will definitely find your answer in this article.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, turnip greens, arugula, and cauliflower are part of the cabbage family. Learn more about these vegetables and find some recipes for delicious cruciferous dishes.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Soy crumbles serve as a vegetarian alternative to ground beef. It contains a large amount of protein, like meat does, but contains less amounts of fat and cholesterol. Learn more about soy crumbles in this article.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

A sprig is a small piece of an herb used in cooking. Sprigs add a wonderful flavor to cooked dishes, but you should remove the sprig after cooking. Learn more about sprigs here.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Carob is naturally sweeter and can be healthier than cocoa powder, but it can't compete with the flavor of chocolate. Learn more about where it comes from and how to include it in your recipes.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine