If you’ve just pulled a package of chicken or beef from the back of the freezer only to find it covered in white, leathery splotches, your first question isn’t about science, it’s about safety. What happens if you eat freezer-burned food? The short answer is a relief: It is perfectly safe. As long as the … Read more
We are taught from childhood that “pure” is the ultimate goal. We buy bottled water because we believe it’s a sterile, clean alternative to the “imperfect” water coming out of our taps. We see the mountain springs on the label and assume we are drinking nature in its most pristine form. But emerging science is … Read more
We are taught that “pure” is always better. When it comes to water, we assume that stripping away every mineral, chemical, and impurity would result in the ultimate health drink. This is a dangerous biological misunderstanding. While the distilled water you buy at the grocery store is safe (primarily because it isn’t actually pure), 100% … Read more
I recently stumbled across a “dubious food fact” claiming that the tryptophan in bananas makes them a natural sleep aid. It’s a classic example of loading a distraction on top of a distraction. Most people already believe the “Thanksgiving Turkey” myth, that turkey is so packed with tryptophan it acts like a sedative. Adding bananas … Read more
We’ve all been there. You buy a seasonal craft lager expecting a crisp, refreshing brew, only to find it tastes like a neon-green sports drink. It’s “limey” in all the wrong ways—cloying, one-dimensional, and so acidic that the malt and hops have been completely masked. Before you pour that six-pack down the drain, reach for … Read more
For many, the rice cooker is the most essential “one-job” appliance in the kitchen. While certain orange-clad internet personalities have made a career out of shaming anyone who dares to cook rice in a standard pot, the history of the automated rice cooker is actually a fascinating tale of mid-century industrial engineering and a unique … Read more