Food and Think

Sugar of Lead: A Deadly Sweetener

Did ancient Romans, Pope Clement II or Ludwig van Beethoven overdose on a sweet salt of lead?

February 7, 2012

Bedtime Reading From Beatrix Potter: Amateur Mycologist

Would Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter Cottontail have been conceived had it not been for the biases of Victorian era science?

February 6, 2012

The Squishy History of Bath’s Buns

Was Sally Lunn a 17th-century Huguenot refugee named Solange Luyon? Or just a great tall tale?

February 3, 2012

The Battle for Food in World War II

A new book examines how food figured into the major powers’ war plans

February 2, 2012

Where Jet Engines, Football Fans and Eggs Collide

Does the noise in a Super Bowl stadium create enough power to fry up a dozen eggs?

February 1, 2012

Jose Andres and Other Toques of the Town Honor Alice Waters

What do you cook for famed chef Alice Waters? Washington’s culinary celebrities faced this challenge at the unveiling of her portrait at the Smithsonian

January 31, 2012

Frito Pie and the Chip Technology that Changed the World

As we approach one of the biggest snack days of the year, meet the “Tom Edison of snack food” who brought us the “Anglo corn chip”

January 30, 2012

Saving the Whales (And Eating Them Too?)

What does whale meat taste like, and is it anything like jojoba oil, prosciutto or jellied crustaceans?

January 27, 2012

Picnicking in the Polar Fog

In 1897, S. A. Andree took off for the pole on board his balloon, complete with a tuxedo he intended to wear upon his arrival in San Francisco

January 25, 2012

The Curious Case of a Gigantic Sham Clam

Geoducks are a staple of Chinese New Year. But did one grow to the size of a wheelbarrow?

January 23, 2012

Meringue Chemistry: The Secrets of Fluff

If these things were made by Renaissance chefs in the days before electric mixers, surely I could manage to whip some up myself

January 20, 2012

Food Futures for 2012: Blogs, Books and Feeds to Watch

Which sites are particularly worth your time this year?

January 20, 2012

A Different Kind of Dinner Bell in the Antarctic

How do you catch a penguin supper when you’re trapped in Antarctic ice? Play music

January 18, 2012

Why Are We So Crazy for Bacon?

“Everything’s better with bacon” is the ruling philosophy of the decade. But are we taking it too far?

January 17, 2012

A Closer Look at What You Eat

A photographer uses a scanning electron microscope to zoom in on everyday foods—and makes art

January 13, 2012

When Did the Girl Scouts Start Selling Cookies?

What are your favorite varieties, and what do they say about you? And did you sell the cookies as a kid?

January 12, 2012

Tasting Shackleton’s Whisky

The replication of a historic whisky might reflect merely our fascination with artificial artifacts—-but the whisky yielded a surprise

January 11, 2012

How to Plan a Party Based on Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party

I’m putting on my event planner hat to offer up the following ideas for a party inspired by an Impressionist painting

January 10, 2012

What Does Home Smell Like?

Salmon’s powerful, ingrained sense of smell allows them to return to the exact stream of their birth for spawning.

January 9, 2012

Julia Child’s Kitchen Closes This Weekend

January 8 will be your last chance to see Julia Child’s kitchen for a while, so hurry by the American History Museum

January 6, 2012