Bakers had the gift of gab in the early 20th century. Bakery trade sheets and recipe books from the 1920s and 30s, contain plenty of recipes for sweet rolls called “pecan rolls,” “cinnamon twists,” and “honey-coated rolls.” These were all essentially the same thing with additional ingredients. Add some pecans, some raisin, etc. to a … Read more
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a confusing beverage. I’ll admit I was confused until I started looking into the details for the collective outrage and even panic over this whiskey (or is it schnapps?) drink marketed by Sazerac. It’s one heck of an infamous party shot and it has driven a flurry of viral video headlines … Read more
The difference between a standard potato chip and a kettle-cooked chip is obvious. Kettle chips are thicker and crunchier. But beyond that, what is truly different about them? The internet delivers the usual romanticized marketing lore. Indeed, the phrase “kettle cooked” conjures up images of a rustic, giant iron cauldron bubbling over an open wood … Read more
Clearly, there are hundreds of beverage options to choose from that are NOT alcoholic. In other words, they are not “hard.” We have jugs of of pasteurized orange juice, bottle upon bottle of sports drinks, iced teas, and sparkling waters. It therefore seems quite strange that the only drinks given the odd name “soft drinks” … Read more
Salt water taffy is the quintessential American boardwalk candy. For over a century, tourists strolling past seaside confectioneries have watched mechanical pulling machines stretch long, pastel loops of the sticky treat, drawn in by a name that is synonymous with summer vacation. Naturally, a persistent myth surrounds its origins. The most famous legend claims that … Read more
In the modern baking aisle, alternative starches like almond flour, cassava, and oat flour are ubiquitous, driven by gluten-free diets and health trends. But over a century ago, a corporate push attempted to crown a very different alternative starch as an American household staple. During the early 20th century, particularly around the wheat shortages of … Read more