All our lives we’ve heard of funfetti, and maybe even had it once or twice. We all know what it looks like, that whitish cake with sprinkles all over. But did we ever really stop to wonder just what is funfetti cake ? What’s it made of ? Can you make it from scratch ? …
Birthday cake has become something of a phenomenon. It’s sweeping across America and it’s had resounding success so far. What is birthday cake, you ask ? Is it a specific flavor ? Who decided this ? It turns out there is a specific birthday cake flavor, and it has a very interesting backstory. That being …
Sprinkles seem to be what dreams are made of, at least little kids’ dreams And adult dreams, because who here doesn’t get excited when they see anything with rainbow sprinkles on top, regardless of age ? These colorful confectionery additions seem to make everything better, from donuts to cake to ice cream to coffee toppings, …
Corn has always been viewed as sweet, or at least mildly sweet. And not many people know, but there are different kinds of corn, each with varying degrees of sweetness. The sweetest is sweet corn, with the least sweet being dent corn, meant for livestock feed. But what makes corn sweet, regardless of type ? …
Blackberries, like most berries, are a hit or miss. You either buy a carton that’s divine and worth the extra penny, or you find the saddest little things ever. There is no in-between. So what do you do when you find yourself with a carton of bitter blackberries ? Can you try and fix them …
Blackberries and mulberries are two similar-looking fruits that manage to confuse people all the time. And for good reason, since they look incredibly similar, taste fairly similar, and they both stain your hands and clothes like crazy. So what are the main differences between blackberries and mulberries ? This is what we’re going to find …
Pancakes and waffles area classic when it comes to breakfast, and even brunch. Both are delicious, sweet or savory treats that are also incredibly filling. You can find batter recipes for both waffles and pancakes, and you can find pre-made batters that are a happy medium between pancakes and waffles, meaning you can use it …
Potatoes are a kitchen staple and the building blocks of many recipes. They’re in every culture and they’re just swell to have around. Nearly everything good to eat has some sort of potato in it, no matter how it’s cooked. This is not only the most filling vegetable, it’s also possibly the most delicious. So …
Whenever you’re out and about and feeling hungry, you might immediately start thinking of something potato-based, or at least containing some form of potato. This root vegetable has been part of our lives for longer than it hasn’t, and it’s always been viewed as the most filling and delicious thing out there. But why are …
Jams, jellies, and preserves are all wonderful ways to use up leftover fruit. And who can refuse a scone with strawberry jam ? But why are there so many names for fruit cooked with sugar, and is there really a difference between them ? Why the different names ? Are they just different names for …
Everyone’s got some sort of jam tucked away in their pantry or fridge, and everyone has a strong preference for this fruit over that. So, naturally, everyone gets upset when they open their favorite jar to find that it’s…not right. It’s got fuzzy white patches and it doesn’t feel sorry at all. Why does jam …
Homemade jam is a beautiful thing, and a really good reason to be proud. Your family can enjoy it in any way they like, and you can make entire batches for the winter. Be careful though, once you catch the jam bug you’ll be overrun by jam jars with no place to put them (because …
Powdered and evaporated milk are both convenient ways to include more milk into your daily life. Sometimes it’s one, sometimes the other, and one or both of them are present in many pre-made foods you can pick up at the store. So what is the main difference between evaporated milk and powdered milk ? Why …
Powdered milk is a kitchen staple and it helps people out in nearly any situation. Need to add milk flavor but don’t want to add too much moisture ? Need to supplement a bit of formula ? Need to sweeten something in a natural way ? Are you out of regular milk and really need …
Anise, licorice, and star anise have always been lumped together in the ‘love it or hate it’ category. You can easily find any of these three spices in candies, especially black licorice added to gummies. Anise and star anise a common flavorings added to mulled wine, and may sometimes be found in some pumpkin pies. …
Arugula has always been a staple in many salads, either as an accent or featured as the main element. It’s especially common in Italian-style cooking, so if you’re in a place that serves Italian food, you’re likely to get some arugula on your plate. This beautiful, flavorful green is found in many recipes and is …
Arugula and dandelions are two very similar-looking leaves, to the point where people often wonder if they’re not the same thing. Both are very common, and both are actually very old plants, dating back to the pre-Roman empire era. So let’s take a look at dandelion greens and arugula leaves, see what their main differences …
Arugula isn’t the most well understood leafy green out there, nor is it the most common. But in the past decade or so you’ve seen it in more and more salads, on pizzas, in sandwiches, and in cheese melts. And it’s always that one flavor that drives people apart, just like coriander does. You either …
Spices can simply give life to our foods, which is why we’re taking such a serious interest in them these days. This time we’re looking at nutmeg vs allspice, two powerful and wonderful spices. You will find both of them in desserts and foods in the cold season, and they may evoke strong memories. Let’s …
As part of our spice series, today we’re taking a look at allspice. What it is, what it’s made of, how to substitute it, and where it comes from. This is a very versatile spice and it conveniently resembles a blend of several spices in one. This also makes substituting it easier than with other …