Category: Food history

According to the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, butter was considered the "choicest food among barbarian tribes," reflecting a widespread Roman prejudice against certain dairy products. The question, 'Did Romans eat dairy?' reveals a complex story, distinguishing between their love for aged cheeses and their surprising disdain for fresh milk and butter.

In many ancient cultures, broad beans were associated with death and the deceased, embodying a potent cycle of regeneration. Today, the meaning of a kidney bean is multifaceted, ranging from modern online subculture to echoes of ancient beliefs connecting the legume to spirits and health, a complex evolution of symbolism.

Though Japan is widely known for its seafood, with per capita consumption at approximately 22kg in 2020, pork is, in fact, an extremely popular meat that plays a central role in the modern Japanese diet. Do the Japanese eat pork? Absolutely, and its widespread popularity is evidenced by the numerous regional specialties and beloved national dishes featuring it.

In the late 19th century, large quantities of vegetable oils were considered a waste byproduct of the booming textile industry, particularly from cottonseed. The original purpose of vegetable oil for many of these modern varieties was surprisingly not for human consumption, but for industrial applications like soap, candles, and lubricants.

Invented at Disneyland in the 1960s to repurpose leftover tortillas, Doritos are now one of the most popular and recognizable flavored tortilla chip brands in the world. These triangular corn-based snacks are known for their distinct crunch and bold, intensely flavored seasonings, such as Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch. Owned by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, the brand has grown to include a vast array of international and limited-edition flavors.

Dating back to the 17th century, the word 'shrub' comes from the Arabic word 'sharbah,' meaning 'to drink'. People drink shrubs today for a wide range of reasons, including their complex flavors, health benefits, and use in crafting unique cocktails and mocktails.

In 2014, the beloved breakfast cereal Sugar Puffs, once known for its sweet taste, was reformulated to contain 8% less sugar as part of a rebrand to Honey Monster Puffs. This change highlights the varying amount of sugar in Sugar Puffs over time, reflecting shifting consumer attitudes towards health and nutrition.

In the mid-2000s, Yogos Bits were a beloved, seemingly healthy snack for kids, but a single serving contained up to 15 grams of sugar. While a yogurt-coated fruit snack might sound nutritious, their ingredients list and nutritional profile told a very different story. This article delves into the nostalgia and reality behind the question, 'Were Yogos Bits considered healthy?'

While over 2 billion people worldwide regularly consume insects as part of their diet, for many in Western societies, the idea of eating insects became yucky due to a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and psychological factors. This aversion is not innate but is a learned response, shaped over centuries of societal conditioning.

In the 16th century, when tomatoes were first introduced to Europe, they were viewed with suspicion and fear by many, but the French had a different idea, calling it the 'pomme d'amour' or 'love apple'. This historical anecdote explains why the tomato is famously known as the fruit that is called love fruit.