Food & drink

You would argue that the best food to eat is the one that is fresh. But the concept of fermented foods has changed the entire notion. In the process of fermentation, ingredients like cucumbers and cabbage are kept idle for long periods of time, until their carbohydrates and sugars turn into bacteria...

Cooked rice is a staple in many kitchens, but knowing how to store it properly is key to maintaining freshness and avoiding foodborne illness. While rice is easy to cook and versatile, it can spoil quickly if not stored correctly. So, how long does cooked rice last in the fridge? Typically, cooked rice...

The super sweet, bright red grenadine syrup you buy from a local store is high in fructose, and is laden with a number of artificial flavors, preservatives and dyes. So, it is better to make this syrup at home. We have already told you how to make syrup, including onion and honey cough syrup. Here, at...

Spain, a country rich in history and culture, is also home to some of the world's finest wines. With diverse climates and landscapes, Spain boasts a wide array of wine regions, each offering unique flavors and characteristics. From the robust reds of Rioja to the crisp whites of Rías Baixas, the country’s...

Mortadella is a classic Italian deli meat with a rich history, especially linked to the city of Bologna. Known for its smooth texture and mild flavor, real mortadella is made from finely ground pork, usually from the shoulder, mixed with small pieces of pork fat to create its unique look. Unlike other...

With the exception of water, beer rivals any other type of beverage in terms of consumption in Spain. Although Spain also has some of the most beautiful wines in the world, beer is becoming one of the most popular options in bars and homes alike. This may be due to the pleasant sensation of enjoying a...

Egg whites, the translucent, fluid portion of an egg, play a crucial role in culinary creations, particularly in baking and meringue making. Their unique properties, including their high protein content and foam-stabilizing ability, make them indispensable for achieving light, airy textures in cakes,...

Boiled eggs can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator, but this will depend on certain factors such as its cooking point. You may wonder how long a boiled egg can last in the refrigerator because one wants to get poisoned after eating spoiled food. Although they have their own natural coating in the...

Smoked salmon, with its smoky aroma and silky texture, is a versatile treat perfect for bagels, salads, or simply enjoying on its own. But fresh salmon has a short shelf life. To enjoy its deliciousness for longer, freezing is your best bet! This oneHOWTO article offers a practical guide to freezing smoked...

Lymphedema is a condition in the lymphatic system causes swelling in various parts of this system, especially in the arms and legs. This health problem is due to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the body. Too often, the people who suffer from this disease lack the necessary information regarding physical...

Freezing is a great way to store many different types of food item without spoiling so they can be consumed at a later date. Most foods can be frozen and then eaten, but not all foods will be very appetizing once defrosted. This is because of the process of freezing changes the cell within the structure...

The most refreshing summer cocktails are those which can help us forget the heat for at least as long as the ice melts. Some are associated with Caribbean holidays and lazing by the pool, but this doesn't mean they all need to come with a cocktail umbrella so large your mouth can't find the straw. Sometimes...

Razor clams are a delicious type of seafood that can be frozen when fresh. Razor clams can be eaten raw when they are truly fresh, but many people prefer to steam them, bake them or even grill them in their shell. They are a seasonal food, so many people who want to eat razor clams throughout the year...

If someone was to suggest going for some Spanish food, your first thought might be tapas. While tapas culture is very much an important part of Spain's gastronomy, it is not a type of food. Instead it is a way of serving it. Moreover, it is only one of the many ways which vary according to many factors....

If you are a mustard connoisseur, you know that asking for mustard in a restaurant is a gamble. When you want some wholegrain for your steak and American yellow comes along, it can make you question your life choices. All mustard comes from a mustard plant, but not all mustards are the same. This is...

Chocolate is a product obtained from cocoa beans and is one of the most consumed foods in the world. Its basic composition is based on a mixture of cocoa mass and cocoa butter, to which other ingredients such as milk, sugar, and nuts can be added. We may have a bar of chocolate stored at home for a long...

Flour is one of the foods that are considered staples in the kitchen. It often happens that we have a half-opened package that is still stored for months or even years. In this case, we often wonder whether the flour expires or not and whether it is safe to eat it or not. All foods have a date on their...

Although we are often hypervigilant about fresh foods such as meat and vegetables, we are often more relaxed when it comes to beverage expiry dates. While the former are often a strict cutoff, a best before is usually seen as a general guideline for drinks. This is partly because many beverages are hermetically...

Slush is a drink that we can easily prepare at home, and in fact it is the most recommended. Industrial preparations increase the amount of sugar and can add coloring that we do not need. Preparing a watermelon slush drink at home is extremely simple and inexpensive. Whenever we can, we should opt for...

Lentils are healthy legumes full of good qualities, whose weekly consumption is recommended as part of a balanced diet. Their vegetable protein, fiber content and especially their essential micronutrients provide a wide range of benefits. They also include iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins...

Butter is a commonly consumed food that is healthy in moderate amounts because it contains vitamins and minerals. It can be found in refrigerators around the world and is used in sandwiches and toast, as well as in numerous recipes, especially baked goods, and as an alternative to oil in cooking. To keep it...

We all know that alcohol makes you fat. Alcohol itself contains calories, not to mention all the sugars that make our favorite drinks so tasty. In most weight loss diets, alcoholic beverages are the first to go. We all know the age-old debate about the various health benefits of beer and wine, especially...

Tinto de Verano, which literally means "summer red wine," is a cold, wine-based drink popular in Spain during the summertime. It is often homemade or bought ready bottled in supermarkets. It is perfect for those who appreciate wine and want to enjoy its taste despite the high temperatures. Since this is a...

Umami is a Japanese word that can be roughly translated as 'tasty'. This rough translation can lead to certain confusion over how to define the umami taste. In some ways this is accurate as umami is a sensation of its own. In Japanese, the concept derives from the conjunction of the words ‘umai’ (delicious)...

Pure honey means that the product is, indeed, 100% honey and does not contain other ingredients such as corn syrup or water which are sometimes added to industrial honeys to reduce costs. Nowadays, however, it is increasingly difficult to find this type of product in stores or markets, as most honey contains...

Even though it takes some time to defrost meat, we may have to do it quickly if we are not farsighted enough. The safest and most recommended way to defrost is to take the food out of the freezer and let it warm up slowly in the cooler (least cold) part of the refrigerator. However, if you forgot to take...

Beer is a fermented drink made by brewing cereal grains, most commonly from barley. Evidence of barley brewing has appeared as early as 3500 BC, but does this mean we could still drink it? The beer in our fridge may not have waiting millennia for us to drink, but it is common we might find some old cans...

If you are thinking of improving your diet, pickled foods can be tricky. While they are often made from very health ingredients, the pickling process can add other ingredients which are not so good for you. In the case of gherkins which are made from healthy cucumbers, there are different types. While...

Fresh yeast is a basic ingredient in many recipes, especially when baking. These include pizzas, breads, cakes and much more. The yeast makes dough rise, important if you want a light and fluffy texture instead of a brick of dough. Dried yeast is a convenient alternative, but many bakers prefer fresh...

One of the most refreshing and popular alcoholic cocktails is the Daiquiri. While there was at one time a simple sweet and sour rum-based cocktail flavored with lime, the flavors and ingredients have diversified over the years. While there will only be one classic Daiquiri cocktail, we can see many different...

Bloody Marys have been long-associated with brunch culture. However, this cocktail has been popular in many different contexts for at least a century. It is a vodka-based cocktail which is a little heartier than most. This is due to the key ingredient of tomato juice and the fact it is served in a highball...

There are so many varied types of cheese, it is easy to forget they are all made from essentially the same process. Some of these are very basic cheeses which can be made in minutes, others are matured for months or even years. All types of cheese are derived from milk, often in a process which requires...

Whether you have an upcoming dinner party or simply want a refreshing piece of fruit, choosing the a ripe melon is key. If you choose incorrectly, your plans can go out the window. Santa Claus melons, otherwise known as Christmas melon or piel de sapo (toad skin melon), are some of the most delicious fruits...

For many Asian cultures, the use of chopsticks is something you are taught from before you can remember. It means using them as natural as picking up a ball. If you grew up with a fork and knife as your standard cutlery, then the first time you use chopsticks can seem like trying to solve a complicated puzzle....

You may have heard a lot about the combination of beetroot and carrot. Both main ingredients are famous for their healthy properties and benefits, but is it really as good for you as they say? In this oneHOWTO article we will explain why the combination of these two natural foods result make an excellent health...

Food conservation is vital to avoid food poisoning or, at the very least, to prevent ruining a meal. With many foods, it is fairly obvious when they have spoiled. For example, we may notice they smell very bad or they have some mold on them. Mushrooms can be a little trickier to discern as they essentially...

The nopal is a cactus which is a very characteristic plant of Mexico. In fact, it is one of the most representative symbols of the country. Also known as the prickly pear, it has become one of the main crops in the area, as well as one of the bases of its cuisine. The nopal is rich in water, making...

You have a can that you want to open, but you don't have a can opener. Now that? Maybe you have tried smashing it against the ground only to be rewarded with a dented can just as sealed as it was before the bashing. Don't worry, you are in the right place. Modern food cans have a thin metal lid that...

Eggs are one of the most consumed foodstuffs on the planet. They can be eaten on their own, but are also used as important parts of many diverse recipes. Most eggs are sold with a best before date on them, but not all are. Many people will also risk eating an egg after this date has elapsed and find they...

Keeping peeled potatoes is relatively easy, especially when compared to storing other types of vegetables. They need to be kept in a cool dry place, at a temperature ideally between 8-12 ºC (46-53 ºF). If stored like this, we can keep them for up to 7 weeks. However, once we peel the protective skin off...

The right amount of salt may vary a little from person to person. However, too much salt in food is something anyone with working taste buds will know immediately. It can ruin an otherwise perfectly good meal. Ideally, we shouldn't over-salt rice in the first place, but it can happen easily. This is...

There is a reason why we often buy herbs in dried form. Keeping fresh herbs fresh is not easy. They can all too quickly wither and die, even in the refrigerator. We have lots of information on how to keep meat and vegetables preserved, but it is not always as easy to know what to do with fresh herbs....

Avocados are exceptional fruit. They are brilliant for many savory dishes, either as the main or complimentary ingredient. Not only are they delicious, but they are full of fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats. This helps us to fight cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as help improve brain function....

We've all been there: you cook a delicious pot of soup, only to realize later it's been left out on the counter all night. Now you're wondering if it's still okay to eat. While most foods have clear expiration dates, soup can be tricky. The good news is, with a little checking, you can decide if your leftover...

Indians love sweets and desserts, called ‘mithai’ in India. Any Indian party, occasion or festival is somewhat incomplete without these sweets. Even if these sweets and desserts are high in calorie and sugar content, almost every Indian has a sweet tooth and can’t resist their urge to enjoy these tasty...

Honeybush tea, is a herbal tea from South Africa, that is known to provide a wide range of health, hair and skin benefits. Laden with nutrients, antioxidants and minerals like potassium, copper, calcium and iron, it is considered a healthier alternative to most other teas and/or coffee. pecially those caused...

The infusion of ginger, cinnamon and lemon is full of beneficial properties for the body, but in addition to this, it is also one of the best recipes one can prepare in order to lose a few extra kilos and eliminate deposits of accumulated fat. The combination of these three ingredients results in a very...

Rosemary is one of the more robust herbs. It has needle-like leaves which are sturdy in the wild, thriving even in relatively arid areas. When these leaves are then transferred to the kitchen for using in roasts and stews, they may not thrive as easily. Whether we have been foraging for some wild rosemary...

Gelatin is a colorless and odorless protein that is derived from the bones and skin of certain animals. Most common animals used for the purpose are pigs and cows. Their skin, tendons, bones and ligaments are boiled in water to obtain this substance. Gelatin is widely used in cosmetics, face masks and shampoos....

No matter how delicious your cake is, it will not attract attention until it is decorated carefully. Once you are done with your cake, you need to grab your piping bag and start decorating. Whether you have made a cake, cupcakes, muffins or biscuits, you can decorate them with the perfect icing with the...