The Desperate Quest for American Cinnamon
Centuries ago, Europeans went to extreme and horrific lengths in search of the spice.
Garlic and Social Class
Immigrants from southern Italy were stereotyped for their use of the aromatic vegetable.
Food and Class: What’s in the Fridge?
A recent New York Times quiz got us thinking about refrigerators, food, diet, and assumptions about class. Here are 12 stories on the subject.
The Taínos Refused to Grow Food. The Spanish Starved.
Rebellion against invasion triggered a series of events that would take a "swift and violent toll" on a Caribbean island's native biodiversity.
The Delectably Indulgent History of Perfect Food Photos
Instagram didn't invent photos of culinary masterpieces designed to inflame the appetite. Cookbooks have been at it for centuries.
Isinglass; or, The Many Miracles of Fish Glue
Isinglass comes from the swim bladders of certain kinds of fish and can be found in everything from beer recipes to illuminated manuscripts. Ew? No way.
The First American Restaurants’ Culinary Concoctions
A study of historical fine-dining menus yields surprises. Like six preparations of frog, and delicious lamb testicles.
Who Invented Weird Hipster Ice Cream Flavors?
From asparagus to pâté de fois gras, early modern ice cream was decidedly different from plain chocolate and vanilla.
Everyone in Pompeii Got Takeout, Too
Archaeologists have found that snack bars called tabernae fed much of the city in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.
