Here we have two custard desserts that stand up on their own with no bowl required. So are panna cotta and flan the same thing? The Short Answer No, panna cotta and flan are not the same thing. The Long Answer Panna cotta is one of the “in” desserts right now. I feel like when […]
Are Peas Beans?
Many people mistake beans and peas. Are they the same thing? Do peas belong to the bean family? The Short Answer No, beans and peas are totally different from one another. The Long Answer This is one of those topics that I understand the confusion around. Both peas and beans are legumes. They are seeds […]
Are Pine Nuts Pignoli Nuts?
This Italian staple has an equally Italian name. But could pignoli nuts really just be pine nuts? The Short Answer Yes, Pine Nuts and Pignoli Nuts are the same thing. The Long Answer If you’re Italian, like me, you’ve likely eaten a pignoli nut or 50 at some point in your life. Italian grandmothers love […]
Is Sriracha Hot Sauce?
Is sriracha just another name for hot sauce? Or is it something else entirely? The Short Answer While all sriracha is hot sauce, not all hot sauce is sriracha. The Long Answer Sriracha has become a big deal in the foodie community as of late. This relative upstart sauce exploded onto the spice scene in […]
Is Red Wine Vinegar Made From Red Wine?
Is red wine vinegar really made from red wine? If it is, what happened to the alcohol? The Short Answer Yes, red wine vinegar is made from red wine. The Long Answer Ok, so I love red wine vinegar. I need to just get that out there. I’m a sandwich nut, and red wine vinegar […]
Are Chocolate Truffles Made From Truffles?
Are chocolate truffles actually made from truffles? Does that mean this popular candy is a fungus? The Short Answer No, chocolate truffles are not made from real truffles. The Long Answer I adore chocolate truffles. They’re one of my favorite bite sized sweet treats. I also love truffles, a pricy type of fungus which greatly […]
Are Coffee Beans Real Beans?
We’ve all seen coffee beans, but is the name deceptive? Are they actually beans? The Short Answer: No. Coffee is made from seeds, not beans. The Long Answer: Coffee is one of my chief passions in this world. I’m one of those cliché “I just can’t function without my first sip of coffee” people. I […]
Is Gelato Ice Cream?
Gelato has become a favorite summertime frozen treat, but is it just a fancy word for ice cream? What is Gelato, and what is ice cream? How are they alike and different? The Short Answer No, gelato is not the same thing as ice cream. The Long Answer I used to just think of […]
Is Cucumber a Fruit?
Cucumbers are typically known as vegetables, but are they really fruits? The Short Answer Yes and no. Cucumbers are considered to be a vegetable by horticulture standards and a fruit when looked at through the world of botany. The Long Answer Vegetable vs. Fruit is one of my favorite topics to discuss because it’s so […]
Is Orzo Pasta?
There’s a lot of confusion about orzo. Is it a pasta or a rice? We’ve got the answers you’ve been craving! The Short Answer Yes, orzo is a form of pasta. The Long Answer I’ve heard many people ask the question, “can I just substitute rice in this recipe with orzo?” Well… in theory you […]
Are White, Red, and Yellow Onions the Same?
Onions come in many different colors. But what’s the difference between a white, red, and yellow onion? Is there any? The Short Answer White, red, and yellow onions are slightly different in terms of taste and use. The Long Answer Ah, onions. One of the most polarizing sandwich toppings out there. There are those who […]
Is Blue Cheese Mold?
Blue cheese haters love to talk about how it’s nothing more than moldy cheese. But are they right? Is blue cheese actually mold? The Short Answer: Yes, blue cheese is cheese that has grown certain harmless varieties of mold. The Long Answer: Regular readers will know of my love for cheese. If I could build a shrine […]
Are Coffee Beans Seeds?
Coffee is typically referred to as a bean in its un-ground state, but is that accurate? Is it really a seed? The Short Answer Yes, coffee beans are seeds. The Long Answer Ah, coffee. The nectar of the gods. From one little bean comes all of our pep and energy for the day. But, wait… […]
Is Tea an Herb or Spice?
Before you steep that teabag into some water, ask yourself if what you’re dropping in is actually an herb, or is it a spice?
Are Nuts Fruit?
Are nuts actually fruits? What constitutes a fruit anyway? The answer might surprise you! The Short Answer Yes, nuts are technically fruits. The Long Answer I know, you’re skeptical, right? Nuts are nuts! A walnut isn’t the same thing as an apple, right? Wrong. Nuts are fruits, people. Honest to goodness fruits. That might seem […]
Is Butternut Squash Actually Squash?
Sure, it has squash in the title, but we’ve been fooled before. Is butternut squash actually a squash? The Short Answer Yes, Butternut Squash is a Squash. The Long Answer I know, you’ve got your hands on your hips and you’re like “of course butternut squash is squash.” But hear me out. A lot of […]
