FOOD SCIENCE

Why the Size and Shape of Your Coffee Cup Matter, According to Science

Cappuccino is often served in a larger, wider mug, while espresso comes in a short, narrow mug. But even avid coffee drinkers may not know why.

Insect butter could bake the world by swarm.

Belgian Waf-flies: Researchers in Belgium Have Developed ‘Insect Butter’

This dairy butter substitute involves mashing black soldier fly larvae into an appetizing, buttery grease.

Graham Crackers Were Invented to Combat the Evils of Coffee, Alcohol, and Masturbation

Twitter and TikTo 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.

An Edible Mold From Japan Is Coming to Your Kitchen

In 2020, America's Test Kitchen predicts that home cooks will go crazy for koji, an edible mold that's a staple of Japanese cuisine.

How Much Air Is in Your Favorite Bag of Popcorn?

The average bag of popped popcorn contains 54 percent air, according to new data shared by Direct Air.

The Perfect Temperature for Soup, According to Science

What's the ideal temperature for serving soup? The one that delivers delicious flavor without destroying your taste buds.

Why Don't Chocolate Chips Melt in the Oven?

There's nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie. But how do the chips seemingly resist oven temperatures?

H. Armstrong Roberts/iStock via Getty Images

The Great Tryptophan Lie: Eating Turkey Does Not Make You Tired

Turkey and other tryptophan-containing foods can produce melatonin, but that’s not why you’re tired on Thanksgiving.

13 Spicy Facts About Mustard

Mustard may have truly come alive for Americans in the early 20th century when it was introduced to the hot dog, but its history is even longer and spicier than you might have guessed.

If Beer and Bread Use Almost the Exact Same Ingredients, Why Isn't Bread Alcoholic?

Have you ever smelled a rising loaf of bread or, better yet, smelled the air underneath dough that has been covered while rising? It smells really boozy.

Why Do People Get Ice Cream Headaches?

You may know an ice cream headache by one of its other names: brain freeze, a cold-stimulus headache, or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia ("nerve pain of the sphenopalatine ganglion"). But no matter what you call it, it hurts like hell.

Has Tobacco Ever Been Cultivated as a Food Source?

People have been growing tobacco for thousands of years, but never as food. That doesn't mean it can't be used as a protein source in the future.

The Reason Why 'Doritos Breath' Stopped Being a Problem

The popular tortilla snack had a reputation for leaving consumers with rancid breath. In 1992, the problem disappeared. Here's why.

Cheese Made from Celebrities' Microbes Is On View at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum

Five British celebrities donated their microbes to make a block of cheese that's now on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The 10 Coolest Online Courses You Can Sign Up For in April 2019

Learn how to rewire your brain, perform CPR on a dog, grow an aquaponic garden, and much more with these affordable (or free!) online classes.

If You Drink Your Coffee With Sugar, Here's Why You Should Always Add It First

If you want to enjoy a cup of coffee at its peak, pour your coffee first, then add sugar, then add cream or milk. Physics says so.

Scientists Built a LEGO 'Electrospinner' to Improve the Texture of Lab-Grown Meat

Scientists are getting closer to creating edible, slaughter-free meat. The only challenge is getting the texture just right. And that's where LEGOs come in.

Make Homemade Cheese in 48 Hours or Less With Fromaggio

Just add the ingredients, select the type of cheese you want to make, and Fromaggio automatically produces homemade cheese in as little as 30 minutes.

Make Homemade Cheese in 48 Hours or Less With Fromaggio

Just add the ingredients, select the type of cheese you want to make, and Fromaggio automatically produces homemade cheese in as little as 30 minutes.