The whole point of kettle corn isn’t actually about popping the corn itself. The trick is to successfully infuse sugar and salt into the kernels at the exact same time. So, it seems entirely logical to ask. What does a giant, heavy kettle have to do with it? Well, if you’ve ever tried to recreate … Read more
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
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
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
If you look at the landscape of 18th-century transatlantic trade, there were few imported goods that signaled wealth, continental refinement, and luxury quite like Italian pasta. Long before it was a pantry staple, pasta, specifically macaroni exported from Naples, was the culinary gold standard of the era. It was an exotic, highly sought-after ingredient that … Read more