Check, Please!
An Inverse series that uses biology, chemistry, and physics to debunk the biggest food myths and assumptions.
Can spicy foods cure colds? A neuroscientist reveals the encouraging truth
Spicy food does nothing against the rhinovirus, but it can ease symptoms.
Will milk and orange juice curdle and make you sick?
Here's the truth about the breakfast combo.
Do bananas cause headaches? A food scientist peels away the myth
It’s all relative.
This secret ingredient can elevate your hot chocolate, according to science
Cornstarch may not sound appetizing until you taste it in your hot chocolate.
What is artificial banana flavor made of? A food neuroscientist reveals the truth
A tale of two bananas.
Are figs full of dead wasps? An entomologist reveals the answer
These two are meant for each other.
Inside the scientific quest to understand Brussels sprouts
Your feelings about Brussels sprouts may be rooted in your genes.
Does turkey make you sleepy? The sneaky truth behind Thanksgiving food comas
Your middle school science teacher lied to you.
A nutrition scientist reveals the missing piece of the Mediterranean diet
Is the popular diet just about food? A nutrition scientist digs into the details.
105 years ago, a savvy candy company created the most divisive holiday dish ever
How do you like your yams?
Can you stuff a turkey? Science reveals how to prep this ancient holiday meal
How you make your stuffing may say more about you than you think.
Why do we eat candy on Halloween? A holiday historian indulges in the surprising answer
Bribery beats arson.
Should you store coffee in the freezer? A chemist explains the storage hack
Are the best beans freezing beans?
Do oranges prevent colds? A food scientist debunks the Vitamin C remedy
Why do we still believe this?
How important is breakfast, really? A health expert explains how to do it right
It all depends on the breakfaster.
Is green coffee good for you? A food scientist debunks the hype
As with many purported superfoods, green coffee is heralded as a rich antioxidant source.
More food science
Lab-grown chicken could hit store shelves soon — here's how it tastes
It’s a whole new kind of poultry.
Can spicy foods cure colds? A neuroscientist reveals the encouraging truth
Spicy food does nothing against the rhinovirus, but it can ease symptoms.
Will milk and orange juice curdle and make you sick?
Here's the truth about the breakfast combo.
Scientists accidentally created a novel method to make fertilizer more green
A new, porous material could help decarbonize ammonia production.
Use these science-backed hacks to cook the perfect pasta — and save money while doing it
Italians are up in arms over this science-backed pasta hack, but is it actually brilliant?
Do bananas cause headaches? A food scientist peels away the myth
It’s all relative.
This secret ingredient can elevate your hot chocolate, according to science
Cornstarch may not sound appetizing until you taste it in your hot chocolate.
How do Christmas cakes last for years? Inside the “perfect storm” of preservation
Love or hate them, there’s no denying some fruitcakes are not just old — they are ancient.
Grab a cracker: Meet the microbes that make your holiday cheese plate
Cheese is so much more than milk.
What is artificial banana flavor made of? A food neuroscientist reveals the truth
A tale of two bananas.
The perfect holiday cookies depend on this one overlooked, abundant ingredient
It’s all around us!
Are figs full of dead wasps? An entomologist reveals the answer
These two are meant for each other.
In Paraguay, cows offer a way out of poverty — and perhaps a greater peril
“Against nature, there’s nothing you can do.”
Inside the scientific quest to future-proof corn, America's favorite side dish
Taking cues from cacti and orchids, scientists are trying to hack corn’s natural abilities.
How Newtonian physics can help make the perfect mashed potatoes
This beloved holiday side dish can get a boost from a basic understanding of Newton’s laws of physics.
105 years ago, a savvy candy company created the most divisive holiday dish ever
How do you like your yams?
