Food and Culture Facts

Food & Culture deals with how we perceive food in our daily lives and how it can affect us in both positive and negative ways.

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Turkish Coffee Is Steeped in Tradition — And Easy to Make

Since its introduction in 15th-century Yemen, Turkish coffee has served as a cultural touchstone in Middle Eastern, Eastern European and north African countries, its brewing infused with magic and myth.

By Katie Carman Apr 7, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

How Will Food Pantries Meet the Demand of Coronavirus?

Food banks normally help feed people during times of need. But the coronavirus pandemic could send that need in the United States soaring to unprecedented levels.

By Stephanie Vermillion Mar 23, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

The Nutty Story of Red Pistachios and the Iran Hostage Crisis

There was a day, not so long ago, when you ate pistachios with the understanding that you'd come away with red fingers and a red mouth. What happened to the red pistachio?

By Jeremy Glass Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

How Chopsticks Became the Staple Utensil of Asia

Chopsticks have been in use since 1200 B.C.E. And today more than 20 percent of the world's population uses chopsticks as its primary utensil.

By Stephanie Vermillion Feb 5, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Who Put the Baby in the King Cake?

King cake is as much a staple of Mardi Gras as the parades and beads. But what's the story of this brightly colored cake? And why is there a plastic baby baked inside?

By Jeremy Glass Jan 28, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Gelatinous, Squishy Mochi Is Having a Moment

Mochi is a super-chewy traditional Japanese delicacy, made from mochigome, a short-grain glutinous rice.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jan 16, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Try Ghee, the 'Liquid Gold' Better Than Butter

If you've never cooked with ghee, then let us introduce you to this wonderfully rich cooking fat. It's made of butter, but it's way better.

By Muriel Vega Jan 7, 2020 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Balut Is the Asian Street Food You Gotta Eat to Believe

At first glance, balut, which is a cooked, fertilized duck egg, might look unappetizing. But it's a favorite snack in Southeast Asia, and has been for centuries.

By Jeremy Glass Dec 19, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Truffles: The Rarest and Most Expensive Fungi in the World

Truffles are prized the world over for their pungent, earthy flavor, but what's so special about them, and why is the truffle trade so cutthroat and secretive?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Nov 25, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Tripe Again

Humans have been cooking and eating tripe for centuries. Think you can stomach it?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Nov 18, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

6 Cheesy Facts About Cheeseburgers

We're celebrating, what else? The all-American cheeseburger.

By Tara Yarlagadda Sep 17, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Why Are Certain Foods Eaten Mainly at Breakfast?

Americans have come to expect certain foods for breakfast. But why did these particular foods end up as morning meals?

By Shaun Chavis Sep 3, 2019 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Take a Bite Out of Cheese Curds

Fried cheese curds are ooey, gooey and oh-so-delicious!

Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

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

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

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

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

Why Is Lobster So Expensive, and Will it Stay That Way?

Lobster has long been associated with luxury and fine dining. But could newly imposed Chinese tariffs change that?

By Shaun Chavis Sep 18, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

How Michelin Became Synonymous With the World's Best Restaurants

Michelin's iconic dining guide rates the best restaurants in 30 countries and four continents. But how did a tire company start rating restaurants?

By Cherise Threewitt Sep 13, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Who the Heck Orders a Burger at IHOP?

The famed pancake chain is now a burger chain? What is happening?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jun 11, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

Barbecue Kings Are Crowned at Memphis in May

More than 230 teams will compete at the 2018 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, also known as Memphis in May.

By Shaun Chavis May 15, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

How You Eat May Reveal Who You Are

There are a lot of quirky eaters out there. Are you one of them?

By John Donovan Apr 26, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture

5 Things You Didn't Know About Pizza

On a cold winter's day, a hot piece of pizza really satisfies. It works just as well on a hot summer's day with an icy soda too. But who invented pizza? And what did Chuck E. Cheese's have to do with Atari?

By Kathryn Whitbourne Feb 9, 2018 Food Facts & Fun / Food & Culture