Mental Floss

KITCHEN

Your sink needs this.

Think rinsing with water in between uses counts as cleaning your sink? Think again.

Best to avoid using the air fryer to cook bacon or kale.

Air fryers are a game-changer for many home cooks. But unfortunately, there are still several types of food they can’t quite handle.

You can use any stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines, etc.) for this recipe.

Get the full stone fruit galette recipe from the Institute of Culinary Education—complete with storage tips and baking secrets for flakiness.

At least wash the dirt off first.

Snacking on a raw potato like it’s an apple is socially unacceptable. But is it a hazard to your health?

It‘s pretty and tasty.

This pan-fried salmon recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home.

There‘s no need to settle for freezer-burned ice cream.

Ice cream season is here—make sure yours stays creamy with these easy tricks.

Here‘s how to make sure your avocados are ripe and delicious.

Not sure if your avocado is ripe? Learn easy ways to check, tricks to speed up ripening, and the best ways to store it without ruining the taste.

Vibrant, green leaves are a key indicator of a ripe pineapple.

Don’t get stuck with an unripe pineapple. Learn how to spot the signs of ripeness before you purchase, from leaf color to scent.

The juice is (almost) loose.

This clever kitchen hack from TikTok can help you figure out which blueberries are still too tart to eat, and it only takes a couple of minutes to pull off.

Le Creuset cookware can last for generations if you take care of it properly. But some of the most valuable pieces could actually be worth a lot of money if you sell them.

This creamy, dreamy split pea soup is packed with flavorful ham hock to liven your day.

Whip up the ultimate feel-good meal with this hearty ham hock split pea soup recipe.

That soda will end up flat, anyway.

The risks involved with storing an open can of food in the fridge can vary, but according to the USDA, it’s important to keep these factors in mind.

And more importantly: Is it actually worth the higher cost?

You’ve seen that “extra virgin” olive oil label plenty of times at the grocery store. Ever stop and wonder what it actually means?

Simplify you day, one hack at a time.

Keep these life hacks in your back pocket to make your everyday chores easier, whether you have to clean, cook, organize, or just live more efficiently.

Measuring flour is easier than you may think.

You might be measuring flour incorrectly. Here‘s the proper way to do it.

It‘s both light and flavorful.

Looking for a summer snack? Here‘s a vegan twist on ceviche with hearts of palm, courtesy of the Institute of Culinary Education.

This pile of yeast and bacteria could be helpful for scientists.

Sourdough for science? Researchers are analyzing live cultures from bread starters to develop healthier, plant-based fermented foods.

Dishwashers can't clean just anything.

Some of your favorite kitchen tools and cookware could get destroyed inside of a dishwasher—and here’s why.

It‘s pavlova, but vegan.

Ditch the egg whites and whip up a fluffy vegan-friendly meringue instead.

Spotless.

Cast iron cookware can last for decades—unless you screw up.

The damage isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Broken eggs can create a huge mess, but this trick they use in restaurants makes the whole cleanup process a breeze.

This sourdough looks delicious enough to bake for yourself.

Learn how to make delicious homemade sourdough with this step-by-step recipe from the Institute of Culinary Education.

These spuds are dirty. Luckily, they‘re easy to clean.

Discover the essential steps to properly wash potatoes before cooking.

Room temperature is a frame of reference.

Misunderstanding room temperature can have some surprisingly serious consequences.