Milk is a common part of most people’s diet. From cereal to a warm sleep aid, We enjoy milk all through our lives. But what category of food can we classify milk under? The Short Answer Milk is the main component of the dairy food group. The Long Answer Milk is the backbone of the […]
What’s the Difference Between Scotch, Whisky, and Bourbon?
Nothing beats a relaxing glass of whisky at the end of the day. But are you actually sipping on Scotch or Bourbon? How can you tell?
Is Yogurt Dairy?
Yogurt is found in the dairy section at the supermarket, but is it actually dairy? Is yogurt safe for lactose-intolerant people? The Short Answer Yes, yogurt is a dairy product because it contains milk. The Long Answer The dictionary defines dairy as “containing or made from milk.” By this definition, all forms of yogurt are […]
Is A Courgette Zucchini?
Courgette and zucchini, the words are used interchangeably. But are they the same thing? If so, why are they called by different names? The Short Answer Yes, zucchini and courgette are the exact same plant, just with different names. The Long Answer You say tomatoes are a fruit. I say tom-ah-toes are a vegetable. (Check out […]
Does Celery Root Taste Like Celery?
They’ve both got celery in their name, do these veggies taste alike? The Short Answer Yes, celery root tastes a lot like celery, despite being a different plant. The Long Answer One would ordinarily assume that celery root, by the sake of its name, is the root of a celery plant. It’s actually not. The […]
Are Truffles a Fungus?
When you bite into an amazing truffle dish at a fancy restaurant are you eating fungus? The Short Answer: Yes, truffles are a form of fungus. The Long Answer: Truffles are the height of class when it comes to cuisine. They aren’t cheap, and they add a delightful flavor to everything from filet mignon to […]
Is Olive Oil Made From Olives?
Is olive oil actually made from olives, or is it just a name? The Short Answer Yes, olive oil is made from olives. The Long Answer Ah, olive oil. Growing up in an Italian household, this was incredibly common in most of my childhood dinners. We use olive oil for so much, and yet most […]
Is There Champagne in Champagne Vinegar?
Is there Champagne in Champagne vinegar, or is it just clever marketing? The Short Answer Champagne is NOT used in the creation of Champagne vinegar. The Long Answer We’ve discussed vinegar before in my entry about whether red wine vinegar is actually made from red wine. We discovered there that yes, it is. So, it […]
Are Crayfish Crawfish?
If you’re heading down to NOLA, you need to know if there’s a difference between crayfish and crawfish. The Short Answer Yes, crayfish and crawfish are the exact same thing. The Long Answer Ah, New Orleans. The Big Easy! Home to some of the finest delicacies around. One major ingredient in a number of Cajun […]
Is Buffalo Sauce Hot Sauce?
Is there a difference between Buffalo Sauce and Hot Sauce? Aren’t they the same thing? The Short Answer Yes, Buffalo Sauce is traditional hot sauce with some extra ingredients added in. The Long Answer Buffalo Sauce is a spicy sensational side condiment to douse on everything from chicken to shrimp. But is it just hot […]
Is Herbal Tea Actually Tea?
There’s tea and then there’s herbal tea. Why are there two different names? Are they not the same thing?
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 […]
Are Peppers Fruits?
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 […]