FOOD SCIENCE

How Long Does a Bottle of Wine Generally Last Once It's Opened?

It's true that wine starts to oxidize the moment you uncork it, but that's no reason to pour the leftovers down the drain.

Queen Elizabeth II doesn't consider this a stack of flapjacks.

What’s the Difference Between a Flapjack and a Pancake?

What is a flapjack? If you’re in England, it’s not a fluffy round cake made from batter and fried in a pan.

Heinz’s New Ketchup Was Made From Tomatoes Grown in a Mars-Like Greenhouse

Farming on Mars may not be as easy as it looks in 2015’s ‘The Martian,’ but a new Heinz ketchup suggests it might be possible.

Your bread and your yoga mat might have something in common.

7 Everyday American Food Additives Banned in Other Countries

Red dye 40, olestra, and rbST all have the FDA’s stamp of approval. In other countries, they’re on the do-not-use list.

Watching television can influence how much we eat.

Appetite for Distraction: Does Watching TV Make You Hungrier?

Settling in for a night of binge-watching can have a significant effect on our potential for binge-eating.

The Reason Coffee Makes Some People Sleepy

Saying “Coffee makes me sleepy” might earn you a few puzzled looks, but there’s a science behind the phenomenon.

Why Are There Green Grains in My Brown Rice?

No, those green grains don't mean your brown rice has gone bad. The just didn’t get a chance to fully ripen.

Dairy Queen ice cream isn't exactly ice cream.

Dairy Queen's Frozen Treats Aren't Technically Ice Cream—Here's Why

Dairy Queen, home of The Blizzard, is careful not to advertise "ice cream" on its menu. Here's the curious reason why.

No, the White Stuff on Your Baby Carrots Isn't Chlorine

The white stuff isn’t a sign that your carrots have gone bad—but they might appreciate a little water.

Is Pink Lettuce Safe to Eat?

Why does lettuce turn pink? Contrary to what you might think, it’s not because bacteria has taken over.

Those wooden utensils in the corner are eyeing this situation nervously.

How a Wooden Spoon Prevents Your Pot of Water From Boiling Over, According to Science

Pasta water is notorious for frothing up and over the sides of your pot. Here’s why a wooden spoon helps prevent that.

Over the course of its history, chocolate has gone from a sacred beverage to a sweet treat.

A Brief History of Chocolate

Chocolate’s worldwide popularity streak has lasted centuries, but it wasn’t always the sweet, easily accessible treat we know today.

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How Do You Acquire an "Acquired Taste"?

Why do coffee, hot peppers, bleu cheese, and other foods only appeal to us as we get older? It has nothing to do with "maturing" taste buds.

He's a little lukewarm about baths in general.

How Warm Is Lukewarm?

If you’re talking yeast activation or baby bath temperatures, ‘lukewarm’ might be more specific than “not hot or cold.”

Can Honey Go Bad?

Honey can spend years in a pantry without spoiling because bees are very diligent when it comes to food safety.

What Are Those Meatless, Plant-Based Burgers Actually Made Of?

Plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger are definitely vegan, but that doesn't mean they're healthy.

Hate Brown Apple Slices? Use This Simple Trick to Keep Them Fresh

To stop your apple slices from browning, all you need are two things you likely already have at home.

What's Inside a Can of Red Bull?

The caffeine in Red Bull can compete with your morning coffee, and Red Bull’s taurine has nothing to do with an actual bull.

What Happens When You Let a Glass of Soda Sit Out for 3 Months? This Timelapse Shows You (and It's Not Pretty)

Temponaut Timelapse filmed the decomposition of a glass of cola over 105 days, and the results aren't pretty.

Love it or hate it, candy corn is here to stay.

A Short, Sweet History of Candy Corn

Depending on which survey you’re looking at, candy corn is either the best or the worst Halloween candy ever created. Either way, here’s how it came to be.

8-Year-Old Twinkies Intrigue Fungus Experts

A Twinkie was found shriveled-up and hardened after eight years in a basement, and now scientists are searching for the fungus behind the transformation.

What Makes Bread Dough Rise?

When your bread dough doubles in size overnight, you have a hard-working team of microorganisms to thank.

This woman is going to make a quick stop at Whole Foods' bakery section before book club.

Why Does Altitude Affect Baking?

Don’t blame yourself for those bone-dry brownies you made in Aspen—blame the air pressure (or lack thereof).

Compost is delicious trash salad for your soil.

Vermont Just Banned Residents From Throwing Food Scraps in the Trash

The state has expanded its trash pick-up services to accommodate the new policy, but many residents are already composting pros.

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