FOOD HISTORY

“Now bring us some figgy pudding... maybe.”

What Is Figgy Pudding Anyway?

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 humble bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich is a more recent phenomenon than you might think.

The Delicious History of the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich

‘New York Times’ restaurant critic Pete Wells once said the humble bacon, egg, and cheese was “designed to satisfy practical needs rather than voluptuary desires.“ But is that selling the sandwich short?

Watch 100 Years of American Dinners in Three Minutes

Here’s what a typical American household ate for dinner during the 20th century.

The history of pizza is packed with myths and misconceptions—but it sure is delicious.

A Brief History of Pizza

The history of pizza is a large pie—half Margherita and half lies. Let’s take a bite out of pizza’s past, covering styles from Neapolitan and New York to Sicilian and St. Louis and beyond.

Why Artificial Banana Flavor Doesn’t Quite Taste Like Bananas

Despite what people often claim, the Gros Michel isn't to blame.

Grapes have a long agricultural history.

13 Fascinating Facts About Grapes

Wine grapes and table grapes are a huge agricultural asset. It's no wonder that the humble grape is among the world's largest fruit crops.

A Brief History of SPAM

From Monty Python to Minnesota's SPAM Museum, this little packaged luncheon meat has a big cultural footprint.

The diners of the 1950s featured a sleek, space age design.

The Delicious History of the Diner

The history of diner dining, from their Lunch Wagon ancestors to those “We Are Happy to Serve You” take-out cups—and what the future might hold for these beloved establishments.

The red velvet origin story is a widespread urban legend.

A Delicious History of Red Velvet Cake

From what makes red velvet cake red (and velvet, for that matter) to its highly dubious origin story, here’s what you need to know about this delicious dessert.

People who could not afford to buy a pineapple to display used to rent one.

The Super Luxe History of Pineapples—And Why They Used to Cost $8000

Pineapples used to be expensive in Europe and colonial America. The South American fruit has been a symbol of wealth, luxury, and hospitality.

The choices were made with a healthy dose of humility.

4 Foods That Shaped Human History

Which food has done the most to shape human development? Like a lot of interesting questions, it’s kind of impossible to answer.

Coffin bread, Taiwanese nostalgia wrapped in a deep-fried bread bowl. / 54613 / Shutterstock

A Lively History of Coffin Bread

In this episode of "Food History," host Justin Dodd tells us the story of coffin bread—a dish that is not nearly as morbid as its name suggests.

How did these delicious drinks make their way into your cup?

A Brief (But Complicated) History of Coffee and Tea

Collectively, coffee and tea have been credited as catalysts for everything from the Enlightenment to the Opium Wars.

A Brief History of Molecular Gastronomy

Explore the complicated and controversial history of molecular gastronomy.

How the TV Dinner Revolutionized American Life

How the humble TV dinner changed American life in the mid-20th century.

15 Delicious, Discontinued Girl Scout Cookies

Through the years, we've had to bid adieu to a long line of good Girl Scout cookies.

A Salty History of Pretzels

From Lenten fare to street food, pretzels have come a long way.

Even serious Sriracha fans might not be aware that the history of hot sauce goes back thousands of years.

How Hot Sauce Became the World’s Favorite Condiment

Hot sauce wasn't always considered a staple of pantries around the world. If you've ever wondered who invented Tabasco sauce, or what Scoville Heat Units really measure, read on.

Gummy bears have a surprisingly dark origin.

The Surprisingly Dark Origins of Gummy Bears

From their dark roots to their migration to America, gummy bears play a large role in the history of candy.

Tacos de canasta are often sold by mobile vendors

A Brief History of “Basket Tacos”

Tacos de canasta (or “basket tacos”) were not the first tacos ever made, but their origin is inextricably linked with the history of that culinary classic.

Why Do People Give Apples to Teachers?

The link between teachers and apples goes back centuries.

The Struggling Poet Who Reinvented Cookbooks

In the latest episode of Food History, host Justin Dodd tells us about the innovations in cookbook publishing instigated by this perhaps-unlikely source.

The California Roll, an American sushi classic

A Brief History of the California Roll

The California roll is practically synonymous with sushi for some people.

Jell-O Journalism: Investigating the Origins of Watergate Salad

The original recipes for Watergate salad appeared during the Watergate scandal. But who named it?

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