Both of these large pots have become popular kitchen appliances. But are they the same thing? Are they interchangeable? The Short Answer? While the Ninja Foodi can do everything that the Instant Pot does, the Instant Pot cannot do everything that the Ninja Foodi does. The Long Answer The Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot are […]
Is Coffee a Nut?
Coffee beans might be called “beans”, but are they actually nuts? Where do coffee beans come from? How does one classify this vital component to many people’s morning routine? The Short Answer No, coffee is actually a seed. The Long Answer Coffee beans are one of those items which are mis-categorized based on appearance. They […]
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 Panna Cotta Flan?
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 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 Mushrooms Vegetables?
You might find mushrooms in your garden salad, but are they actually vegetables? The Short Answer No, mushrooms are not vegetables. The Long Answer Mushrooms are typically served alongside vegetables and have been a part of human diets for centuries. But while we might treat a mushroom the same as we would a vegetable, botanically […]
Are Melons Squash?
Melons and squash might have more in common than you think. But are they the same thing?
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 Cognac Brandy?
Cognac is a high-end adult beverage that can truly make an evening special. But is it just a fancy word for brandy?
Is Kale Lettuce?
They’re both leafy green vegetables that can be the base of a salad. So, Kale is just a snooty word for lettuce, right? The Short Answer No, kale and lettuce are two completely different vegetables. The Long Answer Are you sick of hearing about kale yet? It’s all my healthy friends ever talk about. What […]
Is Vegetable Oil Made From Vegetables?
It’s called vegetable oil, but does it actually contain vegetables? And if it does, which vegetables go into creating this flavorless oil? The Short Answer No, vegetable oil contains no actual vegetables. The Long Answer What’s in a name, anyway? Clearly, not much stock can be put into what we name our foods when […]
Are Pate and Terrine the Same Thing?
What defines a pate? What about a terrine? Are they the same thing or completely different dishes? The Short Answer Some pates are terrines but many terrines are not pate. The Long Answer Pate and terrine, or as I like to call them, fancy meatloaf. Ok, that’s an extreme oversimplification but these two foreign sounding words […]
