Peppers are a common component of a garden salad, but should they be classified as vegetables? Are peppers actually fruits in disguise? The Short Answer Yes, scientifically speaking, bell peppers are actually fruits. The Long Answer The age-old debate between fruit and vegetable consistently boils down to two arguments. What is it considered scientifically? And […]
Are Shrimp and Prawns the Same Thing?
If you order shrimp, are you getting prawns? Are they the same animal? What are the differences between a shrimp and a prawn? The Short Answer: No, shrimp and prawns are completely different animals. The Long Answer: You might look at a shrimp and a prawn and think they’re the exact same thing. Biologically speaking, you would […]
Is a Panini a Sandwich?
Paninis make for an outstanding meal, but are they considered to be sandwiches? The Short Answer Yes, paninis are sandwiches. The Long Answer Paninis are the perfect hot lunch. These compact meals made from grilled bread have become a favorite of trendy establishments the world over. But are they technically sandwiches? This is a topic […]
Is Rooibos Actually Tea?
There are many health benefits attributed to Rooibos tea, but is it actually a tea?
Is Cilantro Coriander?
Have you ever needed cilantro for a recipe, but someone calls it coriander instead? Are cilantro and coriander the same food? Are they interchangeable? The Short Answer Yes, cilantro and coriander leaves are the same thing. The Long Answer Cilantro is one of the more divisive foods I’ve found, both in preference to taste as […]
Are Gourds Squash?
One you eat, the other you use to decorate your house. Could they possibly be the same thing? The Short Answer Yes, squash and gourds come from the same plant family and genus. The Long Answer Have you ever tried to eat a gourd? Don’t. It won’t be a happy experience for anyone. Their hard […]
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 […]
Is Tres Leches Actually Flan?
Both of these sweet desserts tend to be compared in a lot of the same circles. So, what’s the deal? Are tres leches and flan the same thing? The Short Answer No, tres leches and flan are not the same thing. The Long Answer I get the confusion here because in doing the research for this […]
Is Zucchini A Squash?
How does one classify a zucchini? The term zucchini squash gets thrown around a lot, but are zucchinis actually squash? The Short Answer Yes, zucchinis are a form of squash. (Speaking of which, have you ever heard of a courgette? See what we learned when we searched to see if courgette and zucchini are the same thing.) The […]
Are Polenta and Grits the Same?
They’re both ground and boiled corn, so are grits and polenta the same thing? The Short Answer No, grits and polenta are not the same. The Long Answer Two foods, two different continents, one common ingredient. Grits and polenta, on paper, look very much alike. So much so that many mistakenly believe they are the […]