World Chocolate Day will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. After all, Chocolate is a favorite treat, whether you’re talking about chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered strawberries. How much do you know about this popular sweet? The word Chocolate (and all the variations and associated words) has a lot more meaning than you may have…
Category: Food & Drink
Frites, Chips, And More: French Fries Around The World
Few side dishes are staples in the entire world. Few are as popular as French fries. Frites Chips Salchipapas — the list of names of fries is long. But no matter what name you call them, they are available on menus in restaurants on every continent. The summer is a great time to learn more about…
“Stuffing” vs. “Dressing”: Do You Know The Difference?
The turkey is always the star of Thanksgiving, but there is a dish that is argued over every year. It’s called Dressing or stuffing. These two words are interchangeable. Are they interchangeable, or do they refer to something else altogether? We’ll explain the differences between the two words, their origins, and their overlap….
What Is Figgy Pudding?
You’re familiar with the song. The song may begin by wishing everyone Merry Christmas, but the demands soon follow. The refrain is “Oh, bring some figgy pud …” with the petulant hook, “We won’t leave until we get some.” Do you know what Figgy Pud actually is? Why do we sing it? Figgy pudding, while…
Fruit vs. Vegetable: What’s The Difference?
It’s not always easy to determine what is a Fruit and what is a Vegetable. The debate can be quite acrimonious and even sour. It’s all because some of the things we eat, while technically fruit, are called vegetables and treated as vegetables. People make distinctions based on sweetness. However, botanists believe that the real difference is the part of…
What Is In Pumpkin Spice? And Does It Contain Pumpkin?
The Pumpkin Spice flavor is used in many coffee drinks, as well as in other fall foods. It’s a mix of spices, including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and sometimes Allspice. Does pumpkin spice contain pumpkin? The spice mixture is sometimes called Pumpkin Pie Spice. This is not because the pumpkin spice contains pumpkin, but because traditionally, it was used to…
“Maki” Time To Learn The History Of These Sushi Names
You’ve probably been to a Japanese-style restaurant in the US and seen familiar dishes: rice, a lot of it, a spicy wasabi, some warm sake, a lot of rice, and a good amount of fish. Did you know you don’t need to eat fish in order for the dish that you are eating…
“Grande,” “Venti,” And “Trenta”: What Do The Starbucks Sizes Literally Mean?
When ordering coffee, you have many questions. The barista will spell out your name on the cup. What size should I get? What does Venti mean? What do grande and Venti mean at Starbucks? Here are the sizes that Starbucks offers: tall, grande, Venti, and Trenta. We’ll briefly discuss tall. Many people consider this designation to be an example of corporate language…
The Meaning Of Kwanzaa And Its Celebrations
Holidays are a time for giving thanks, connecting with family, and looking forward to the future. This festive season ends for those who celebrate Kwanzaa, and the new year starts with a celebration of pan-African history and culture. From December 26 to January 1, observers light candles and commemorate important principles and ideals. They…
All The Pasta Shape Names Explained: How Many Do You Know?
There are endless possibilities in the world of pasta, thanks to its wide variety of shapes. If you don’t know your Italian well, the names of each noodle might sound random. But with some help, they will make sense. You think you know everything? You’ll learn three new shapes besides spaghetti and penne: Castelli and…