Category: Food
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Soup Throughout History
This article was written by Samuel Phineas Upham One of the oldest foods in the world is probably a part of the first course you order at any reputable restaurant. Soup, which is broadly defined as the end result of putting multiple ingredients into a pot of boiling water, has been a popular staple since…
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Carrots and Carrot Ale
Written by Phin Upham The carrot is what is known as an “old world” vegetable. It can trace its origins back to Afghanistan, but it is now found all over the world. The plant is most related to dill, celery and parsley, with a tiny and acrid root. The modern carrot took a long time…
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The Origins of Butter
This article was written by Samuel Phineas Upham Food historians speculate that butter was an accidental creation. The theory goes that ancient horse riders may have found the substance after their milk jugs were jostled and neglected by the day’s ride. When they would have opened the containers, they would have found fresh churned cream.…
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The Practice of Conching
This article was written by Phin Upham Conching got its start in Berne in 1879, beginning with the chocolate maker Rodolphe Lindt. Lindt had formal training in the art of confections, and poured his savings into two fire-damaged factory buildings and roasting machinery he purchased from a bankrupt mill. His first attempts were failures because…
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The Origins of Mozzarella Cheese
Written by Samuel Phineas Upham The name “mozzarella” translates to “little socie,” which is a diminutive form of the Italian word for “slice.” The cheese got its earliest start in the thirteenth century, when the monks at San Lorenzo would give mozza and bread to the members of their church who would take part in…
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Apples throughout History
Written by Phin Upham The Roman legions first introduced apples to the Europeans, but they were not the first civilization to enjoy the fruit. In fact, wild apples were highly sought after throughout the ancient world. Historians have found evidence of apples consumed at Catal Huyuk, and in prehistoric dwellings in Switzerland. Depending on their…
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Mushrooms: Older Than You Think
Written by Phin Upham If you have ever looked at a mushroom and thought about the first person to eat one, you might be surprised to learn humans have been eating them since prehistoric times. Sites in Germany and Switzerland show cave drawings with little puff balls, which likely indicate mushroom consumption. Mushrooms were probably…
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The History of Yogurt
Written by Samuel Phineas Upham, Fermented milk products were most likely an accident. The yogurt that we enjoy today probably came from primitive storage methods that didn’t take environmental heat into account. Yogurt, which is a word that is Turkish in origin, has been an important part of history, helping to feed a number of…
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The Origins of Spaghetti
This article was written by Phin Upham Pasta has been in use for thousands of years, perhaps for as long as humans have existed. Pasta can trace its origins back to China, Italy and a half dozen other locales, but the precise combination of pasta and marinara may not have come around until the 1600s.…
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Rice Dishes From Around the World
This article was written by Phin Upham Rice is a staple for people all over the world. It’s easy to acquire, cheap to produce and it’s available in mass quantities almost all over the world. As a result, cultures across the planet have developed a variety of dishes based around this grain. Some are flavorful…