The sweet and sour sauce is a generic term that encompasses many sauces, mainly including various flavours, fruits, vegetables and exciting additives that give sauces a mix of sweet and sour tastes. The Chinese made the sauce, considering how one can benefit from flavouring substances such as sauces. These sauces became famous because of their […]

French dressing has been a classic salad accompaniment since its introduction to the Americans in the 1880s. However, the name is a misnomer with a somewhat murky past and a controversial list of ingredients. Though most people use French dressing and French vinaigrette synonymously, they are quite different in taste, appearance, and origin.  ‘Vinaigrette’ refers […]

Pesto originated from Genoa, Italy, and has its roots in ancient Rome. The word “Pesto” means crush. A thick green sauce that is now widely loved by all. The most common variety is pesto Alla Genovese. The traditional sauce contains fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts (pignoli). It’s the world’s second […]

If this is the first time you hear about duck sauce, don’t worry, it is entirely vegan. Also, the chef did not harm any ducks in the process. Well, jokes apart, duck sauce is an orange liquid with a jelly-like consistency and is made out of apples, plum, and apricots along with vinegar, ginger, and […]

Behold the king of the berries, deliciously sweet and packed with an acidic punch, a berry to take away your blues. Yes! You’ve guessed it right. We’re talking about blueberries. There is a long list of blueberry benefits. After all, people consider it a wonder food. But, before we jump into the proven health benefits […]

Nutmeg is a seed cultivated from a tropical evergreen tree commonly found in Indonesia. This spice is valuable for its sweet aroma and unique flavour. Though it is a common choice in several cuisines because of its flavourful characteristics, it also has abundant health benefits. For culinary purposes, you can add it to various dishes. […]

Tarragon (Scientific name: Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb that belongs to the sunflower family. The plant grows mainly in North America and Eurasia. It may grow up to 5 feet in length, is quite nutritious, and contains a mix of minerals. Not only this, but traditionally, it finds usage as a medicinal herb due […]

Cocktail Sauce, also known as Seafood Sauce, is a cold or room temperature condiment. You can serve and consume it with seafood like shrimps, prawns, oysters, etc. It is a popular and tasty sauce and is the main appetizer accompaniment in many restaurants, buffets, and dinner parties. Also, the cocktail sauce adds flavour and taste […]

Aioli is a savoury accompaniment often eaten as a dip with boiled vegetables, eggs, and sandwiches. It is salty mayonnaise with a tinge of garlic and is readily available. The word “aïoli” literally means oil and garlic (‘ail’ is garlic in French and ‘oli’ is oil in Catalan, Italian).  Traditionally, it was a mix of […]

Spices are the secret to enhancing the taste of any recipe. Be it veggies or meats; everything benefits from adding spices. Spices like cumin powder, fenugreek powder, and black pepper add different flavours to your dish. To ensure that your dishes taste good and look good, you will need spices like chilli powder, cayenne pepper, […]

Kelp (scientific name: Laminariales) is a large brown seaweed. Seaweeds claim to contain at least 10 times the amount of minerals compared to the plants grown on soil. This is because the seaweeds absorb minerals from their surrounding marine environment. Seaweeds are a typical food in the Japanese style of cooking. Various kinds are edible […]

Gelatin or gelatine (Latin: Gelatus meaning “frozen” or “stiff”) is a protein obtained from collagen. The colourless and flavourless protein is multifunctional. It’s colourless and flavourless. Gelatin originated from the tendons, ligaments, and boiling skin of the animals like cows and pigs. It can be in powdered form, tablets, and even granules. Chemically gelatin is […]

Dill (scientific name: Anethum graveolens) is a weed used popularly as a garnish. It grows in most parts of the world but is native to the Mediterranean and the southern regions of Russia. It is highly nutritious and is an excellent source of various minerals and vitamins. It was used in ancient Asian cultures as […]

Guava, also known as “amrood” in Hindi, is round/oval and is full of tiny hard seeds in the centre. It is native to Central America and has a versatile inner and outer layer. In addition, it also possesses a unique flavour and fragrance. People call it one of the best superfruits due to the numerous […]

Late-night snacking, also called nighttime snacking, refers to eating snacks after dinner. It is a habit of snacking at, or even after, bedtime. If you’re eating late at night, you could just be bored or stressed. Craving salty snacks might indicate dehydration rather than a sign of an empty stomach. And if you’re eating late, […]

Grapeseed oil comes from squishing the seeds of grapes, and the oil is a byproduct of making wine. It is excellent because of the nutritional content it contains. Grapeseed oil is the byproduct of the winemaking industry in the commercial and economic aspects only. Nutritionally, it is not a byproduct, but rather, they derive the […]

Mustard is one of the earliest recorded spices the world has ever known. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family. Scientifically it is called Sinapis. The variations included are Brassica nigra (black mustard), Brassica rapa (field mustard), and Sinapis alba L. (yellow mustard). Mustard has a wide array of usage. For example, as paste, […]

Sweet on potatoes, but worried about the calories they contain? It’s time for you to try a healthier alternative. Sweet potatoes, best known as shakarkandi in India, don’t belong to the same tuberous family as the potato. However, their starchy and creamy texture makes them an ideal substitute for regular potatoes in most dishes. Recently […]

Spinach, a popular green leafy vegetable, is loaded with many nutrients. It is full of iron and has various vitamins and minerals. This cruciferous vegetable is scientifically known as Spinacia oleracea, and it originated in Persia. However, nowadays, it is available globally. The USA and China are the leading producers of spinach.  This anti-cancerous veggie […]

The grapefruit or Citrus Paradise is a hybrid fruit. It is also known as the forbidden fruit, Chakotra, in Hindi. It is a subtropical citrus fruit as opposed to its sweeter counterparts and contains a tart taste. It belongs to the family of oranges. Grapefruits are low in calories, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and fat-free, rich […]

Hemp hearts are the soft inner part of hemp seeds that is appreciated well only after removing their hard shells. It has a mild, nutty flavour. It comes from cannabis sativus. But there are two main types of cannabis sativus that produce:  1. Drug products include hashish and marijuana, and several other compounds with psychoactive […]

Since time immemorial, maple syrup has been an inseparable companion of pancakes and desserts. No Spring is incomplete in Canada, Vermont, and specific parts of North America, the East Coast, and the Midwest, without collecting the raw maple sap and creating maple syrup. Tapping the Maple trees begin as early as January and the harvesters […]

Watching a movie or TV series has been the best form of entertainment lately. Some people watch movies to relieve their stressful daily lives, while others watch them purely for entertainment. But what goes hand in hand while watching these movies or TV series? Yes, that’s right, a delightful snack that can satisfy your palate. […]

Cashew is a significant member of the family of nuts. It is native to Brazil, South America and was brought to India by the Portuguese, who took it to Goa. The benefits of cashew nuts are effective from hair to toe. Ancient people considered it a high cholesterol food. However, some studies suggest that it […]

There are many reasons why you should root for carrots! Carrots are loaded with nutrients and lend themselves to a wide range of delicious dishes. Although the vegetable is popularly associated with improving eyesight, their benefits go much beyond. Historical records show carrots were cultivated in Persia and Afghanistan in the 10th century. However, in […]

Corn is widely consumed worldwide in numerous forms – boiled, corn on the cob, popcorn, and so on. In addition, corn is also rich in nutrients, easy to cook and incredibly delicious. There are several corn benefits. It is a highly fibrous food item, rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and essential micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin […]

Carom seeds or ajwain is a spice available in every Indian household. Although it is pungent and bitter, ajwain seeds offer a unique flavour when added to various dishes. However, the benefits of ajwain extend beyond its aroma and taste. Carom seeds are the seeds of the ajwain plant, Trachyspermum Ammi. They’re a common element […]

Blue mould cheeses are produced worldwide, with the four most well-known varieties being Danablu, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton. The fungus Penicillium Roqueforti is used to prepare blue cheese, determining the appearance of the various types during ripening. The microflora, which includes both lactic acid bacteria and yeast, regulates this development, which is also affected by […]

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that are present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent.  Worldwide there are about 300,000 babies born with SCD every year. Furthermore, the majority in low-income countries […]

Vitamin C, also known as ‘Ascorbic Acid’, is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant. It protects the body from free radicals, which play an essential role in ageing. In addition, it helps strengthen the blood vessels and muscles. However, unlike other animals, humans cannot synthesise this vitamin internally. Hence, our vitamin C intake depends […]