Food History

Freshly made apple cider doughnuts dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Apple cider doughnuts are synonymous with fall, particularly in New England. The tasty treats have a modern history that may surprise you.

One key ingredient has linked the dish to Massachusetts—and it isn’t the actual beans themselves.

The sweet and savory pairing may seem controversial, but it’s a traditional way to enjoy apple pie in New England and the Midwest.

Many brands have laid claim to the origin of Rocky Road, but a Kansan cookbook might disprove them all.

Sorbet or Italian ice? You be the judge.

Italian ice has a sorbet-like texture, but these frozen desserts really aren’t the same thing. So, where does this summer treat really come from—and more importantly, is it even from Italy in the first place?

The lore behind America's favorite ballpark snack is pretty fascinating.

Discover the curious origins of America’s favorite ballpark snack and why it’s called a “hot dog” to begin with. (Spoiler: It doesn’t involve any literal dog meat.)

The dish really doesn't have anything to do with primates.

Monkey bread—a sticky pull-apart pastry that’s typically made from canned biscuit dough—is a sugary, cinnamony treat that has nothing to do with primates.

Miracle Whip may remind you of mayo, but it‘s not the same, according to the FDA.

When Eliza Acton’s second collection of poetry was denied publication, she pivoted. The result—an engaging recipe book geared toward home cooks—forever changed the culinary world.

Phở is a delicious dish, but it also tells us a lot about the history of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and how cultures collide.

A variety of old-timey strawberry desserts ripe for Valentine's Day.

From love cake to candied violets, these old-fashioned Valentine's Day sweets rival any prepackaged box of chocolates.

Kellogg's Pop Tarts Commercial (1993) (So cool they're hot)

Even though these Pop-Tart flavors are discontinued now, we still can't help but wish they’d bring back Frosted Grape and a few of these other classic picks.

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

The first Thanksgiving may not have even had turkey, but it almost certainly had oysters.

These delicious sauces will have you shoving ketchup and mayonnaise aside.

All this sugar would have horrified the inventor of graham crackers.

Social media users regularly joke about the origins of the simple graham cracker as a way to curtail sexual impulses. And while it might sound bizarre, this is one viral trend that is based in truth.

Blowing gray bubbles just wouldn’t feel as fun.

We uncover why bubblegum is traditionally pink—and also explore what flavor bubblegum even is.

Apple pie is a classic fall treat for Americans.

The phrase “American as apple pie“ leaves out the dish’s complicated history as an English dessert made of fruit that originated in Asia.

The bagel’s success is undeniable, but its path to breakfast dominance wasn’t straightforward.

80's Ads: Chef Boyardee Pac Man ABC's 123's Zooroni 1985

From Pumpkin Spice SPAM to Chef Boyardee’s Zooroni, these discontinued canned foods are like a trip down memory lane, but chances are, you’ll never get your hands on them again.

Many Pride flags have been created since Gilbert Baker made the first one in 1978. Here’s a rundown of the origins, evolution, and significance of just some of the LGBTQ+ Pride flags out there.