Kitchen Craft
Why Toasting Spices Changes Their Aroma
Why toasting spices changes their aroma, plus clear cues for stopping and choosing a skillet or oven so whole spices…
The full table
All stories
Browse food stories by subject, from the character of an ingredient to the customs and choices that shape a meal. Each piece starts with one question worth taking to the table.
Ingredients
Fresh, Dried or Frozen Herbs: What Changes in the Pot?
Fresh, dried or frozen herbs suit different dishes. Choose the form that fits your cooking method, desired leaf…
Food History
The Long Journey of the Tomato Through Kitchens
Trace the tomato’s journey from the Americas into kitchens abroad and see how fresh eating, cooking, and preserving…
Foodways
The Authentic Recipe Test Misses the Point
The authentic recipe test can flatten a living dish into a rulebook. Learn how to describe a recipe’s lineage…
At the Table
How to Read Pantry Food Labels for the Dish You’re Making
Read pantry food labels to spot ingredients, serving details, and preparation directions that fit your recipe, then…
Our point of view
Food makes culture tangible
A pantry, a cooking method or a shared meal can open up a bigger story. We look for those connections without treating any one way of eating as the only right one.