We Don’t Know the Origins of the Candy Cane, But They Almost Certainly Were Not Christian
There are a lot of explanations floating around out there about the candy cane - but almost none of them are true
December 11, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Most Exclusive Coffee in the World Is Harvested From Elephant Poo
Two cups of the so-called Black Ivory coffee cost around $50, while a pound of the digested beans total a tidy $500
December 11, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Start Hoarding Your Beans, Thanks to Climate Change, $7 Coffee May Be the Norm
Starbucks most expensive cup of coffee to date raises the question, how high can we go?
December 10, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Fungus in Your Cheese Is Having Weird Sex
It turns out that the fungi in cheeses like blue cheese aren't just sitting there, waiting for you to eat them
December 10, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Scientists Accidentally Create a Pina Colada Pineapple That Tastes Like a Coconut
Now, scientists have created the cocoapple—a pineapple that tastes like a coconut
December 07, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Should Trophy Hunting of Lions Be Banned?
Some argue that tourist safari hunts generate important money for African nations—but can lions afford the loss?
December 07, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for the Design Enthusiasts in Your Life
In preparation for the holiday season, a selection of gift ideas related to some of our favorite Design Decoded posts
December 06, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Drinking Tea Was Once Considered an Irresponsible, Reckless Pursuit for Women
Poor Irish women who drank tea in the 19th century might as well have been chugging a bottle of whiskey
December 05, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Your Genetic Future: Horse-Dogs, Plantimals and Mini-Rhino Pets
A kids' magazine in the '80s hoped that by now we'd have a whole new array of pets to choose from
December 05, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Blame Napoleon for Our Addiction to Sugar
Prior to 1850, sugar was a hot commodity that only society's most wealthy could afford
December 04, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Five Ways to Deck Your Halls With Food this Christmas
There are lots of ways to use goods in the pantry to make your digs a little merrier
December 04, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Why Peanut Butter is the Perfect Home for Salmonella
A food safety expert explains the scientific reasons why salmonella outbreaks in peanut butter—like the one earlier this week—are so common
November 30, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
The Strange Things We Do To Keep Our Food Cold
Whether it was shipped to you from somewhere, stored in a warehouse, or sold nice and chilly, over 3/4 of the food we eat has been commercially refrigerated
November 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Meals That Starving Travelers Dream Of
Daydreaming of food is a tradition as old as the saga of man versus wild. What would you wish to eat if you were starving in a tent or a dinghy at sea?
November 28, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Eating Whale Meat Is Going Out of Vogue in Japan
Whale meat elicits a "meh" response from young Japanese these days, but global citizens continue to cry foul
November 28, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Pie Champion’s Award-Winning Sweet Potato Pie Recipe and More Holiday Advice
From E-Z Bake to national champ, Jennifer Nystrom knows pies
November 21, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Tick Bites Cause Freak Allergy to Meat Eating
In addition to acting as vectors for diseases, ticks are now identified as the likely culprit of a new bane specific to carnivores: causing an allergic reaction to meat
November 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
To Adapt to Harsh Greenland Climate, Vikings Gorged on Seals
Despite their barbaric reputation, the Viking-era Norse typically worked as farmers rather than hunters - except on Greenland
November 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Exotic Dishes to Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Feast
Add some global flair to your banquet with these savory variations on your favorite "Turkey Day" fare
November 20, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Where Did Pabst Win that Blue Ribbon?
The origin of Pabst's iconic blue ribbon dates back to one of the most important gatherings in American history
November 20, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
