In the age of internet debunks and retroactive cynicism, a popular narrative has taken hold about Patrón tequila. A story about two American entrepreneurs who put an average spirit in a hand-blown bottle, slapped on a $40 price tag, and “convinced the world that tequila could be premium.” This neat and tidy tale, however, relies … Read more
It’s one of the most famous tea blends in the world. It’s also one of the most prestigious. Yet, the origin of Earl Grey tea is murky and subject to myth and storytelling. It’s history is shrouded by competing corporate claims and fanciful tales of appreciate Asians. Even its signature flavoring, bergamot, is open to … Read more
The public is divided on the subject of American cheese. You either have nostalgic affection for a childhood grilled cheese, or intense disgust toward what you believe is “fake, plastic food.” Food purists dismiss it as an industrial chemical creation and many insist that it isn’t real cheese at all. American cheese, however, isn’t a … Read more
Take a sip of an imported green-bottled Heineken in the United States, and you might immediately notice a sharp, pungent, sulfurous odor. For decades, this distinct aroma has left beer drinkers split into two distinct camps: The short answer? You aren’t imagining it, and the beer isn’t a bad batch. What you are smelling and … Read more
For decades, order a bottle of Corona, and its served with a lime wedge. Often, a bartender will press the citrus wedge into the neck of the bottle whether you ask for it or not. And, the same habit of Corona with lime wedge extends into the backyard barbecue. There’s a distinct cultural feeling attached … Read more
Have you ever pulled into a Pizza Hut or ordered a lunch combo from Subway and felt a strange, fleeting sense of doubt? Maybe you recently read a headline about store closures, or watched a video declaring the ‘downfall’ of the brand. Suddenly, you find yourself scrutinizing the food. Is the crust different? Are they … Read more