A few of our test cooks are enthusiastic fans of Cotton Candy grapes and were eager to order some for us to taste. The grapes looked like any other green grapes, but true to their name, these juicy specimens had a bubblegum-y sweetness much like that of cotton candy. A few tasters noted a similarity to the artificial “blue raspberry” flavor found in some candies and drinks. First-time tasters were shocked by the grapes' sweetness and perfumy flavor.We assumed that these were genetically modified…
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Published: April 2019
Blue Eggs Versus White and Brown EggsSome grocery stores and farmers' markets sell eggs with blue shells. Do they taste different from regular white or brown eggs?
Published: April 2019
What Is Fond?Those marks at the bottom of your pan actually pack a lot of flavor.
Published: February 2019
The Difference Between Grating and Shredding CheeseIs there a difference between grating and shredding cheese?
Published: February 2019
Swapping Bacon Fat for ButterIs refrigerated bacon fat a good substitute for butter when baking biscuits?
Published: February 2019
What Angle to Get Your Knives Sharpened ToKnives can be sharpened at different angles, but which is the correct angle for your knife?
Published: December 2018
Florida Avocados vs. Hass AvocadosFlorida avocados are big and smooth-skinned, unlike the more traditional Hass avocados. Can you make guacamole with them?
Published: December 2018
Why Does Peeling Butternut Squash Sometimes Cause Skin Irritation?When I peel butternut squash I get a sticky substance on my hands that makes my skin feel tight and dry. What's going on?
Published: December 2018
How to Store Whole NutmegFresh nutmeg tastes much livelier than the preground jarred stuff. How should you store it?
Published: December 2018
How Hot is "Room Temperature"?People's kitchens are different temperatures, so what is meant when a recipe calls for something to be “room temperature”?
Published: October 2018
How to Check Thermometer AccuracyHow can you be certain your digital thermometer reading is accurate?
Published: October 2018
How to Freeze Cake LayersTry this convenient method for (mostly) make-ahead dessert.
Published: October 2018
How to Measure Grated Citrus ZestWhen measuring grated citrus zest, should you pack it into a measuring spoon or keep it loose?
Published: October 2018
How to Take a Pie Through Airport SecurityCan you fly with a pie? Here are tips for traveling with dessert.
Published: June 2018
What's the Best Way to Freeze Fresh Peaches for Baking?You can freeze peach wedges either peeled or unpeeled. They'll never taste as good as fresh ripe peaches, but they work well in baked goods and desserts.
Published: August 2018
Garlic Powder vs. Granulated GarlicGranulated garlic and garlic powder can be used interchangeably in most recipes; we tend to favor granulated garlic in our recipes because it's easier to work w…
Published: August 2018
What Does “When a Toothpick Comes Out Clean" Mean in Baking Recipes?Inserting a toothpick into baked goods will help you determine doneness. Here’s a visual guide to help you understand the terminology we use.
Published: June 2018
What is Smoked Salt?You’ve likely seen this available in your local grocery store. What is it, and how do you use it?
Published: June 2018
Using Metal Cooking Utensils in Enameled Cast-Iron CookwareWill using metal cooking utensils ruin enameled cast-iron cookware.
Published: April 2018
How to Trim Boneless, Skinless Chicken BreastsWhat does it mean when a recipe calls for “boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed”? Aren’t boneless breasts already pretty clean?
Published: April 2018
Using Chocolate in Cookie CrustsCan you substitute chocolate wafer cookies for graham crackers in graham cracker crusts and other cookie crusts?
Published: April 2018
Yellow Watermelon vs. Red WatermelonIs there a flavor difference between these two types of watermelon?
Published: April 2018
Jarred Minced Garlic versus Minced Fresh GarlicHow does jarred minced garlic compare with minced fresh garlic?
Published: April 2018
Cooking with Mint StemsWe often use cilantro stems as we would fresh cilantro leaves. Can you do the same with mint?
Published: April 2018
Different Types of PeasHere are the three types of fresh pea pods you may see at the market.
Published: April 2018
What Is Clear Vanilla Extract?And how does it compare with standard vanilla extract?
Published: February 2018
How to Roll Out Pie DoughUse these tips to easily and evenly roll out pie dough.
Published: January 2018
How to Mix Cake Recipes Many cake recipes specifically state not to overmix the batter. But box mixes instruct you to beat them at medium speed for a full 2 minutes. Why the differenc…
Published: January 2018
Does a Beet’s Color Affect its Flavor?We tasted three common varieties—golden, red, and Chioggia—to find out.
Published: December 2017
ChocolatePassionate about chocolate? Here’s what you need to know to get cooking with this miracle ingredient.
Published: December 2017
Reheating RiceWe tried reviving home-cooked and take-out batches of white rice to find the secret to light, fluffy leftovers.
Published: December 2017
Can You Freeze Ricotta?Ricotta spoils quickly. We froze leftovers two different ways to see which one was most effective.
Published: December 2017
Whipping Light Cream vs. Heavy CreamCan you make whipped cream using light instead of heavy cream?
Published: November 2017
Curly-Leaf vs. Flat-Leaf ParsleyAre curly- and flat-leaf parsleys interchangeable? We ran a series of blind taste tests to answer this question.
Published: October 2017
BraisingBraising is the best way to turn a tough cut of meat tender. So how do you do it?