Make America Bake Again: A History Of Cake In The U.S.
From the waste-not ethos behind Angel Food Cake, to the science fads that sparked chocolate cake, American Cake tells a story of immigration and ingenuity.
food history
How Lipton Built An Empire By Selling 'Farm To Table' Tea
Lipton is just about synonymous with industrial Big Tea these days. So you might be surprised to learn that once upon a time, Lipton was known for selling tea direct from its own gardens.
Malfatti, The Dumpling That Became A Napa Valley Legend
Born of a "mistake," these dumplings have become a beloved staple of Italian restaurants in California's Napa Valley. They're packed with cheese, spinach and local Italian-American history.
This Historian Wants You To Know The Real Story Of Southern Food
Michael Twitty wants credit given to the enslaved African-Americans who were part of Southern cuisine's creation. So he goes to places like Monticello to cook meals slaves would have eaten.
The Sweet Success Of Bananas Foster Has An Unsavory Past
One of New Orleans' favorite desserts is a lasting legacy of an oft-forgotten chapter in the city's history: the banana trade, and its infamous practices.
Food For Thought: 10 Restaurants That Shaped America
A Yale historian's new book explores America's changing tastes, and what they say about our culture — from class mobility to civil rights to women's changing status.
Jack Daniel's Heralds A Slave's Role In Its Origin Story
Jack Daniel learned how to make whiskey from a preacher. That's how the story goes. But a new figure is gaining prominence in the brand's corporate history.
This Hearty Stew Is A One-Pot Lesson In Grenada's History
Just about every ingredient in oil down reflects Grenada's cultural melting pot: from the callaloo greens cultivated by early Amerindians inhabitants to the turmeric brought by South Asian immigrants.
What's In That Coffee Cabinet? A Delicious Taste Of Rhode Island History
The ice cream beverage with the quirky name is a Rhode Island staple. It's just coffee syrup, ice cream and milk. Despite its popularity, the origins of the drink – and its name – remain a mystery.
Hot Enough For You? Cool Off With A Brief History Of Frozen Treats
The Roman Emperor Nero was said to enjoy snow topped with honey. Persians liked to drink sharbate over ice. But a scientific discovery in the 1500s paved the way for our modern ice creams.