Have you ever heard of polyphasic sleep? Or biphasic sleep? Poly, as a prefix, means many. And bi-, as you know, means two. Phasic simply refers to phases. So, polyphasic sleep means sleeping in several phases, while biphasic sleep means sleeping in two phases. Either is just a fancy way of saying sleeping more than […]
Does Imitation Vanilla Contain Petroleum or Paper Mill Waste?
It is claimed that imitation vanilla flavor contains petroleum, wood pulp from paper mill waste, or even cow poop. If there is one good reason not to use imitation vanilla flavoring, it is because it is an imitation, a pale ghost of the real thing. But are there other, more serious reasons not to use […]
Karswood Creosote – Inhaling Wood-Tar Creosote will Cure Colds, Flu, and Tuberculosis!
If you have a fireplace and have ever had to clean it out, you are familiar with creosote. As well, if you’ve ever taken a walk on the tracks, and noted the sticky black coating on the railroad ties, you’ve discovered creosote. It is a by-product of the burning of wood or coal, which leaves […]
Will We End Aging In Your Lifetime?
Although CulinaryLore is primarily concerned with food-related topics, once in a while I deviate a bit beyond food science, food history, or cooking and write articles on other things besides food-related topics. However, even most of these are tangentially related and could be said to fall under the umbrella of food science or to be […]
Does The Reheatza Microwave Crisper Really Work?
I like to cook the old-fashioned way, with fire. Or with gas caught on fire. But, sometimes I dream of a world in which I can cook basic things in the microwave without ruining their texture. For example, making a grilled cheese in the microwave. You can’t grill in a microwave, can you? Or, reheat […]
Chinese Table Manners: Never Flip Over a Whole Fish
In some parts of China it is considered bad luck, and bad table manners, to flip over a whole fish to get to the other side Have you ever ordered whole fish at a Chinese restaurant? This is the traditional Chinese way of serving fish, with head, bone, tail and all. Nothing unusual there, but […]