Facts about food

8 Sweet Surprises: Unwrapping Facts About Chocolate

Chocolate, with its rich history and even richer flavor profile, has been captivating taste buds and sparking curiosity for centuries. From its role in social movements to its unexpected health benefits, chocolate is more than just a treat; it’s a cultural phenomenon and a culinary marvel. Let’s unwrap the secrets of chocolate, piece by piece, and discover the sweet and sometimes surprising factlets of everyone’s favorite indulgence.

Montreal children protesting the 1947 candy bar price increase outside a Laura Secord candy store
Montreal children protesting the 1947 candy bar price increase outside a Laura Secord candy store
Photo by Wikipedia

1. A sweet rebellion unfolded in Canada in 1947 when the price of chocolate bars leaped from 5¢ to 8¢, sparking a nationwide protest among children. In British Columbia, around 200 passionate protesters even stormed the legislature building, voicing their dissent against the 62.5% price hike.

2. White chocolate, often nestled alongside its darker counterparts, breaks the mold by being made exclusively from cocoa butter without any cocoa solids. This lack of cocoa solids places white chocolate in a category all its own, technically separating it from the true chocolate family.

3. In a twist that could make anyone ditch their cough syrup, research suggests that an ingredient found in chocolate might be more effective at quelling coughs than codeine. A study led by Professor Peter Barnes from Imperial College London found that theobromine, a compound in cocoa, outperformed the traditional cough suppressant, and did so without any of codeine’s undesirable side effects like drowsiness and constipation.

4. Hershey’s milk chocolate, a staple in many households, surprisingly contains only about 11% cacao. The remainder of the bar is made up of sugar, milk, and various emulsifiers, highlighting the sweet balance that makes it a favorite.

5. The journey from bean to bar took a significant turn in 1847 with the creation of the first chocolate bar. Before this innovation, chocolate was primarily enjoyed as a bitter drink, far removed from the sweet indulgences we relish today.

6. Introduced in 2017, ruby chocolate joined the ranks as the “fourth type” of chocolate, alongside dark, milk, and white. This newcomer stands out with its unique sweet and sour flavor profile, captivating the palates of chocolate connoisseurs worldwide.

A 80 gram pure Ruby chocolate bar
A 80 gram pure Ruby chocolate bar
Photo by Wikipedia

7. The chocolate chip cookie, an iconic treat beloved by many, owes its existence to a sweet deal. Its inventor traded the recipe to Nestlé in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate, ensuring her place in culinary history.

8. Chocolate blooms, characterized by a white or grey powder on the surface, signal a sugar or fat bloom. While it may affect the chocolate’s appearance, it remains safe to eat, indicating improper storage rather than spoilage.

These eight facts peel back the foil on chocolate’s rich tapestry, revealing its impact on history, medicine, and culinary innovation. As we explore the depths of chocolate’s allure, it’s clear this beloved treat holds wonders far beyond its taste, weaving together tales of innovation, health, and indulgence.

10 Fascinating Facts About Sugar: A Sweet and Sour Tale

Sugar, a staple in our diets, has a far more complex story than its sweet taste suggests. It influences our health, the environment, and even science in ways that are often overlooked.

Bowl with refined and granulated white sugar on table, closeup
Photo by depositphotos.com

Here are ten fascinating facts that reveal the multifaceted nature of sugar.

1. Impact on Cognitive Health: Excessive sugar consumption in early life can alter the gut microbiome, leading to cognitive impairments. Studies in adolescent rats showed that sugar-sweetened beverages caused memory issues and anxiety-like behavior in adulthood, linked to these microbiome changes.

2. Sugar and Fat Production: Added sugars like fructose and sucrose can double the body’s fat production in the liver, even in moderate amounts. This heightened fat production is a contributor to diseases like diabetes and fatty liver.

3. Sugar in Space: NASA’s research on meteorites, including a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed the presence of sugars such as arabinose, xylose, and significantly, ribose, in these space rocks.

4. Sugar Beets vs. Sugar Cane: In the USA, 55% of sugar is derived from sugar beets, not cane. Sugar beet processing plants, known for their strong odor, are a common sight in regions like Twin Falls, Idaho, where the beets themselves can taste like candied potatoes.

5. Tic Tac Loophole: Despite being almost entirely sugar, Tic Tacs are light enough to be legally labeled as zero sugar per serving due to their small weight.

6. Cereal Branding History: Kellogg’s Corn Pops cereal, originally named Sugar Pops until 1984, featured a mascot named Sugar Pops Pete, who was depicted blasting sugar onto the cereal with a pistol.

7. Recommended Sugar Limits: The average man should consume no more than 36g of added sugar daily, and the average woman no more than 25g. To contextualize, a single can of soda typically contains about 40g of sugar.

8. Sugar Industry’s Sway in Research: In the 1960s, the sugar industry funded studies that inaccurately shifted the blame for heart disease from sugar to saturated fat.

9. Caramelization in Onions: Onions contain natural sugar sucrose. When cooked, sucrose breaks down into glucose and fructose, resulting in a sweeter flavor through caramelization.

10. Sugar as a Controlled Substance: Some medical professionals advocate for sugar to be classified as a controlled substance and for its removal from the FDA’s “generally regarded as safe” category, citing its health impacts.

6 Wild Tales from the World of Burger King

Burger King isn’t just another fast-food chain; it’s a brand with a history of quirky and audacious moves.

Burger King
Photo by depositphotos.com

From unique marketing stunts to bizarre spa experiences, here are six of the craziest facts about this global burger giant:

1. Sauna and Burgers in Helsinki: Imagine enjoying a Whopper in a sauna! In 2016, Burger King Helsinki made this possible by opening a spa in one of its restaurants. Equipped with a 15-seater sauna, showers, a PlayStation, TVs, and a range of beverages, customers could indulge in this unique experience for $283 per person.

2. The Mattoon Exception: Across the United States, Burger King reigns supreme with its name, except for a small area in Mattoon, Illinois. Here, an unrelated local restaurant, also named Burger King, holds the rights, creating a unique exception to the chain’s national presence.

3. The ‘Whopper Sacrifice’ Campaign: In a bold move in 2009, Burger King offered a free Whopper to anyone willing to unfriend 10 people on Facebook. The catch? Burger King notified the unfriended individuals, leading Facebook to suspend the eyebrow-raising campaign.

4. The McWhopper Proposal: In 2015, Burger King reached out to its rival McDonald’s with an idea to create the McWhopper, a mash-up of the Whopper and Big Mac. McDonald’s, however, wasn’t biting and declined the collaborative offer.

5. The “Where’s Herb?” Flop: Burger King’s 1985 “Where’s Herb?” campaign, which cost $40 million, turned out to be a misstep. The campaign centered on a character named Herb who had never visited BK. Competitors quickly pointed out Herb’s apparent preference for other burger joints, leading to a 40% profit drop for Burger King in 1986.

6. The Left-Handed Whopper: For April Fools’ Day 1998, Burger King announced a new “lefty” Whopper in USA Today, claiming it was designed for left-handed customers. The burger supposedly had the same ingredients as the original but was rotated 180°. This tongue-in-cheek ad drew thousands of customers to Burger King outlets, many of whom eagerly requested the special “lefty” Whopper, showcasing the power of a well-crafted prank.

Chilling Delights: 10 Refreshing Facts About Ice Cream

Delve into the delicious and delightful history of ice cream, a treat that has captivated taste buds for generations. From its humble beginnings to its evolution into a global dessert phenomenon, ice cream holds a plethora of fun facts and quirky stories. Let’s scoop into ten fascinating tidbits about this beloved frozen delight.

Three ice cream cones in a metal basket on blue wooden vintage background
Photo by depositphotos.com

1. Ice Cream’s Hygienic Past: In the era before ice cream cones, “penny licks” were the norm. These were reusable glass containers that unfortunately contributed to the spread of diseases due to their frequent reuse and lack of proper cleaning.

2. The U.S. Navy’s Floating Ice Cream Factory: The U.S. Navy’s passion for ice cream during World War II led to the creation of an ice cream barge in 1943. This floating factory could churn out 10 gallons of ice cream every seven minutes, satisfying the cravings of sailors and marines.

3. An Ice Cream Truck’s Final Run: The Smashing Pumpkins’ music video ‘Today’ drew inspiration from Billy Corgan’s childhood memory, where a quitting ice cream truck driver distributed all his remaining ice cream to the local kids.

4. Fidel Castro’s Ice Cream Fervor: The Cuban leader’s love for ice cream was legendary, once indulging in 18 scoops in a single session. His passion even led to the establishment of a national dairy industry and the opening of his own ice cream parlor.

5. The Founding Fathers’ Frozen Indulgence: America’s early leaders had a penchant for ice cream. Thomas Jefferson penned an 18-step vanilla ice cream recipe, while George Washington reportedly spent $200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790.

6. The Origin of Chocolate Ice Cream: Surprisingly, chocolate ice cream predates vanilla, marking its place in history as the first of the two flavors.

7. The Birth of the Ice Cream Sundae: To circumvent laws prohibiting the sale of ice cream sodas on Sundays, ingenious 1800s shop owners created the Ice Cream Sundae. They served ice cream with syrup, sans soda, adhering to the regulations.

8. High-Altitude Ice Cream Making: During WWII, U.S. bomber pilots made ice cream mid-flight by strapping containers of ice cream mix to their planes. The high altitude and turbulence did the churning, producing ice cream upon landing.

9. Ben & Jerry’s Generous Perk: Employees at Ben & Jerry’s enjoy a sweet daily benefit – three free pints of ice cream.

10. Häagen-Dazs vs. Frusen Glädjé: In a legal battle of ice cream titans, Häagen-Dazs sued Frusen Glädjé over their use of a Scandinavian theme. However, the court ruled against Häagen-Dazs, noting their own lack of authentic Scandinavian ties despite similar marketing strategies.

10 Facts About Michelin: From Tires to Culinary Triumphs

Clermont-Ferrand, France. Figures of Bibendum, also known as Michelin Tyre Man, at the L'Aventure Michelin museum
Clermont-Ferrand, France. Figures of Bibendum, also known as Michelin Tyre Man, at the L’Aventure Michelin museum
Photo by depositphotos.com

When one thinks of Michelin, images of rugged tires might first come to mind. Yet, this iconic brand boasts a fascinating history, intricately linked with the world of haute cuisine. How did a tire manufacturer evolve to become the highest authority in the culinary universe? Here are ten facts that provide a glimpse into the remarkable journey of Michelin.

1. Guarded Secrets: Michelin is so protective of its tire technology that it refrains from patenting the rubber compounds it employs. This ensures that competitors remain in the dark about their secret formulas.

2. A Starry Origin: In a clever marketing ploy in 1900, Michelin began reviewing restaurants, intending to encourage people to drive more, subsequently wearing out their tires faster. The coveted Michelin Star, which global chefs ardently aspire to, is actually an ingenious advertising strategy by the tire giant.

3. Mysterious Inspectors: Michelin goes to great lengths to preserve the anonymity of its inspectors, who are responsible for bestowing stars upon restaurants. Being an inspector demands a commitment to 275 inspection meals annually. The veil of secrecy is so profound that many top chefs have never encountered one, and inspectors are advised against revealing their profession, even to their parents.

4. Ramsay’s Starry Achievements: Holding a Michelin star is prestigious but maintaining it is a continuous challenge. Michelin demands consistent excellence, and should standards drop, restaurants risk losing their stars. In 2014, Gordon Ramsay compared losing his Michelin stars to the agony of a romantic breakup. Among Michelin-starred chefs, Ramsay shines with 16 stars, surpassed by only two chefs globally.

5. Street Food Excellence: Testament to its culinary richness, some of Singapore’s street vendors have been recognized with Michelin stars, underscoring that exceptional food isn’t confined to plush restaurants.

6. Michelin and the Law: Chef Marc Veyrat, in a historic lawsuit in 2019, contested Michelin’s decision to downgrade his restaurant to 2 stars, causing him considerable distress. His defense, humorously dubbed “cheddargate,” countered Michelin’s allegation of using English cheddar in a soufflé.

7. A Taste Resurrected: A chef, having lost his taste due to cancer treatment, eventually regained it. This health journey led him to create unique flavors that earned his Chicago restaurant three Michelin stars.

8. The True Colors of the Michelin Man: Originally, the iconic Michelin Man was white, reflecting the natural hue of rubber. It was only in 1912 that tires began to turn black, thanks to the addition of carbon chemicals, enhancing their strength and durability.

9. Michelin’s Role in WWII: During the Second World War, Michelin paused the publication of its guide. Yet, in 1944, at the behest of the Allied Forces, the 1939 edition covering France was republished, as its maps were deemed the best available.

10. Budget-friendly Michelin Experience: The world’s most affordable Michelin-starred eatery is “HK Soya Sauce Chicken, Rice & Noodle” in Singapore. Patrons can enjoy a delectable meal for a mere $1.50 (USD), making it the first street food stand to earn such a distinction.

From shaping travel journeys with resilient tires to illuminating culinary paths with its esteemed stars, Michelin’s legacy is as multifaceted as it is interesting.