By this point we think everyone’s had watermelon at least once in their life. Some like it, some hate it, but we all know what a watermelon looks like. For such a juicy and delicious fruit, it’s fairly cheap and it can feed you for days. But why are watermelons red ? Specifically, why is …
If you’re dying for a summery treat you’re likely thinking of something watermelon-based. That’s understandable, everything about this fruit just screams summer. It’s also mostly water, so it’s incredibly refreshing in the summer heat. Ah but summer is still so far away… Or, maybe you can’t stand watermelon and are simply looking for something that …
If you’ve got a Christmas cake on the way then you’re in need of some apricot jam to keep that marzipan stuck to the cake. But what if you don’t like apricot jam at all ? Or, what if you do but can’t find any apricot jam ? Well you’re going to need an alternative …
Have you ever noticed how every jam you ever buy is in a glass jar ? Some things come in plastic jars, like peanut butter or chocolate spread. But glass jars are a thing when it comes to jam. Why is that ? Is there any real reason behind it, or just a leftover from …
When you look at it, a jar of marmalade looks fairly similar to a jar of jam. But somehow they’re different, and not many people seem to talk about this. Well we’ve take it upon ourselves to figure out why this name difference exists, and whether it means anything at all. Read on to find …
If you’re booking a vacation you’re definitely checking everything: photos, rates, reviews, amenities. And for those like us, who are pretty much in love with food, hotel breakfast is a big deal. So what does it mean when a hotel says they offer continental breakfast ? Does that mean it’s free ? Hotel lingo can …
If you’re in a berry conundrum you might find it hard to decide between blueberries and cranberries, especially if they’re in season. The thing is, both fruits are delicious in their own way and are used pretty differently. So what’s the main difference between the two ? Which should you use, and for what ? …
Do you ever find yourself with an abundance of tangerine and don’t care for them at all ? What if your favorite recipe calls for mandarins and you really don’t like them ? More, what if that mulled wine asks for clementines and you have none on hand ? Well, then you’re in dire need …
If that cool recipe you’ve fallen in love with asks for kumquats, you may be in for a surprise. In any other time than November-March, kumquats are out of season and very hard to come by. But is there something else you could use instead ? Well, if you’ve ever had kumquats you know they …
Pineapples are a delicious bunch, but a real pain to cut through. Most of us have eaten canned pineapple most of our lives, and rarely ever seen a whole one. But once you see it, you can’t help but notice how spiky it is. It doesn’t look very friendly, does it ? Why is pineapple …
If you haven’t had papaya before, and you’ve only just sliced into yours, you may be incredibly confused. Your papaya may be smelling weird, beyond weird, downright nasty. Why is that ? Why does papaya smell so bad ? Does it always smell bad, like durian ? Is it something you get used to ? …
Papaya. As nice as it sounds, it tends to smell weird, and sometimes it’s downright bitter. But why is papaya bitter, and is there anything you can do about it? After all, for such a tropical fruit, a bitter flavor really isn’t what you’d expect. And especially in a setting where you’d try to eat …
If you’re looking for a papaya substitute, you may be thinking it’s hard to find. In truth, papaya has a very special flavor that’s hard to completely replace. But in terms of texture and color, it can be substituted by other sweet and tropical fruit. Depending on what you need the papaya for, one or …
If you haven’t grown up with tamarind, then you may be a little confused as to what it is, and what the difference is between the sweet and sour kind. Tamarind is a pod that is heavily used in Asian cuisine, and it’s used both in sweet and sour form. But what’s the difference between …
If Thanksgiving is right around the corner and you find yourself without a cranberry in sight, you might think you’re in trouble. But you’re not, because there are a few cranberry substitutes, some easily available in some areas, and some you might have to look for carefully. Sure, nothing beats fresh, tart cranberries but when …
Let’s face it: Maraschino cherries sound great, and when you were little you thought they were this expensive, high-quality fruit you only ate every few years. As an adult, you now know they’re mass produced and taste just like they look: neon-sweet, nothing like a cherry, and annoying. So what do you do when your …
Blueberries are a favorite in many kitchens. They are sweet, tangy, and packed with nutrients. People love adding them to muffins, pancakes, smoothies, and desserts. But what if you run out of blueberries? Maybe they are out of season, too expensive, or simply unavailable. Don’t worry—there are plenty of options. Knowing a good blueberry substitute …
Strawberries are really hard to replace, and the flavor they bring to any dessert is like nothing else. Still, sometimes you might find yourself in the position of having to replace strawberries, and that’s that. So what do you do ? We’ve made up a lit of the best candidates possible, keeping texture, flavor, and …
Are you in the middle of making oatmeal cookie batter and totally forgot about the raisins ? Don’t worry, there’s definitely something you can use instead. In fact, there’s several options you have, depending on your taste and how easily you can find them. So here’s the best ideas for raisin substitutes, and we’re pretty …
Does your new favorite recipe call for olives but you just can’t stand them ? Or maybe you absolutely love them but can’t find any right now ? There are substitutes for both sides of the camp, both for olive lovers and haters. Some of these will have more in common with olives, specifically green …