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Food

An Egyptian chef prepares koshary at Abou Tarek in downtown Cairo.

The Layered History of Koshary, Egypt’s Most Beloved Street Food

Now popping up in upscale restaurants, the carb-loaded national dish recently earned a spot on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage

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There's More to That

How to Fit 250 Years of American History and Culture Into One Map

Smithsonian magazine explores some of the many ways to celebrate the nation and looks back at how previous big birthdays were commemorated amid domestic turmoil

English farmer Nicholas Wood.

Eating Challenges Are All the Rage. But When Was the Last Time You Saw Someone Eat a Mutton Shoulder Bone?

Even before the internet, overindulgence was something of a spectator sport for those who reveled in gastronomic glory

Spices helps flavor evolve.

When Did Cooks Start Using Spices? And More Questions From Our Readers

You’ve got questions, we’ve got experts

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Get Your Red-Hot History Lesson! How the Hot Dog Rose From Coney Island Carts to Platters at Presidential Picnics

A simple sausage from Germany overtook ballparks and backyards to become the quintessential hand-held meal that is decidedly all-American

Chris Buck at work in a kitchen lab

This Scientist Brewed and Drank His Own ‘Vaccine Beer’ to Combat a Dangerous Virus. It Seems to Have Worked

Blood tests revealed that the beverage elicited an immune response, according to preliminary research. But far more safety and efficacy testing would be needed before this vaccine could become available

Larvae of the European black oil beetle, which are orange, ride bees to their nests and then chow down on bee eggs.

These Parasitic Beetles Mimic the Smell of Flowers So They Can Trick Bees and Raid Their Nests, New Research Suggests

They might be the first animals known to fake a floral scent

People view the Declaration of Independence and other documents at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Ten of the Most Exciting Ways to Commemorate America’s 250th This Year

Our country’s birthday bash includes exhibitions, historical reenactments, a massive potluck and more

A Brazilian keelback (Helicops infrataeniatus) cannibalizes another in 2015.

Cannibalism Among Snakes Is Far More Widespread Than Previously Thought

Scientists undertook the first comprehensive assessment of how often snakes eat their own, uncovering reports of the behavior in more than 200 species

Students with the 4-H Club of Dauphin County gathered inside the refrigerated display room at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center to carefully break down the sculpture.

What Happened to This 1,000-Pound Butter Sculpture After the Crowds Melted Away?

At the end of the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, volunteers and students carefully dismantled the creamy masterpiece so it could be used to produce renewable energy for local homes

The bulbils of the black-bulb yam look like berries.

This Plant Produces Plump, Fake Berries to Trick Birds Into Spreading Its Offspring Far and Wide

The black-bulb yam excels at mimicry, producing small clones of itself that look like the dark, shiny berries of seed-growing plants

A worker bee (left) and a queen bee (right) slurp up artificial nectar during laboratory experiments.

Queen Bumblebees’ Tongues Aren’t Built for Slurping Nectar—Which Might Keep the Royals Homebound

Queen bumblebees have sparser hair on their tongues than worker bees, which makes them less efficient at lapping up nectar, new research suggests

Though the study describes only a correlational relationship, the findings reinforce the idea that sleep is important for human health. 

Not Getting Enough Sleep? You Might Be Shortening Your Life Span

In the United States, insufficient sleep strongly correlates with life expectancy, even more than diet, exercise or social connections do, a new study suggests

Researchers investigated the associations between preservatives and the risk of developing cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Eating Large Amounts of Certain Preservatives Might Increase Your Risk of Developing Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes

Two studies tracked more than 100,000 participants over 14 years to reveal the trends. But they can’t confirm a direct link between eating these preservatives and developing disease, especially because some of the additives were eaten in foods that contain known carcinogens

Black soldier fly larvae grow in a high-tech facility at Innovafeed in Nesle, France. The company, which also has a facility in Decatur, Illinois, is the world’s largest producer of black soldier fly larvae.

Maggots Are an Incredibly Efficient Source of Protein, Which May Make Them the Next Superfood for Humans

Inexpensive to raise and insatiably hungry for trash, black soldier fly larvae are already on the menu for livestock, pets and, maybe soon, people

Kiyoshi Kimura, known as the "Tuna King," poses with the record-breaking bluefin tuna.

See the Record-Breaking Bluefin Tuna the Size of a Grizzly Bear That Sold for $3.2 Million at a Tokyo Fish Market

The 535-pound fish, purchased by Japan’s self-proclaimed “Tuna King,” was sliced and shipped to sushi restaurants across the country

In the valleys and hills of Nepal’s Khumbu mountain range, high peaks tower over teahouses, where a hot cup of tea is more than just a warm gesture.

Nepal’s Mountainside Teahouses Elevate the Experience for Trekkers Heading to the Top of the World

Comforting rest stops dot the trail for adventurers ascending Mera Peak, offering food, rest and a warm cup of the local brew

Barcelona

Coastal Cities of Europe

Coastal Cities of Europe

Explore the history, culture and natural wonders of the continent’s most celebrated ports

Crabs not yet at the molting stage are thrown back into the Venice lagoon.

Coastal Cities of Europe

Can Venice’s Iconic Crab Dish Survive Climate Change?

For more than 300 years, Italians have fried soft-shell green crabs, called moeche. But the culinary tradition is under threat

The four-story building, originally a private home, dates to at least 1590.

The Oldest Restaurant in the World Just Turned 300 Years Old

Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín is filled with legends, ghosts and priceless art. The food is pretty good, too

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