Mashed’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to inform and engage our readers, telling them things they need to know, things they want to know, and things they didn't know they wanted to know about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, whether that’s the news of the day or a new original recipe you can try making at home. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our editorial team constantly reviews and updates articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
-
If you only buy asparagus at the grocery store or farmers market, you're probably just used to seeing bundles of green spears. But if you grow your own asparagus, you'll see that the plant also produces tiny, bright red berries. They might look tasty and tempting, but steer clear.
-
You Should Never Thaw Chicken On The Counter. Here's Why
According to the USDA, you should never thaw food on the counter or by running it under hot water. So what are safe ways to thaw chicken quickly? -
This Is How Kroger Changed Grocery Stores Forever
Usually, just about any supermarket you walk into has its own bakery and meat counter, and some even have specialty stations with pizza or Chinese food. However, that wasn't always the case. Kroger completely changed the grocery store business. -
Costco's Membership Requirements Used To Be A Lot Different
Even if you've never been to a Costco before, you probably know that you need a membership to shop there. Today, pretty much anyone with a photo ID can get a membership for $60 per year and shop all of Costco's bulk deals, but that wasn't always the case. -
How Are Expiration Dates Actually Determined?
Expiration dates can be more than a little confusing, especially since there are so many variations. But expiration dates aren't completely written in stone — actually, the process for determining expiration dates isn't as specific as you might expect. -
How Authentic Parmesan Is Different From The American Version
Any plate of pasta isn't complete without a sprinkle (or more) of Parmesan cheese on top. But is that block of cheese on the store shelf actually parmesan? -
This Is Why You Should Tenderize Your Chicken Before Cooking It
Everyone loves finding shortcuts in the kitchen, but there are some steps you definitely shouldn't skip, even in the interest of saving time. Tenderizing chicken, especially chicken breasts, is one of them, and if you haven't been tenderizing your chicken before now, you should definitely start. -
Why You'll Never Be Able To Visit The First-Ever Costco
No matter where you are in the country, a trip to Costco probably looks about the same. But if you've ever dreamed of visiting the very first Costco and see where it all began, unfortunately, you can't experience the first store in all its glory. -
What's The Difference Between Jerky And Biltong?
Just about everyone in the U.S. has probably tried jerky at some point, but biltong is a different story. If you've tried it before, or gotten lucky enough to find it at a store, it might seem like the same thing as jerky, but while the two are similar, they're not exactly the same. -
You Probably Don't Know Where American-Style Tacos Came From
American tacos are your typical taco night fare - they're known for having hard, crispy shells, and are usually filled with ground beef and piled high with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. However, they're nothing like authentic Mexican tacos. Where did they come from? -
What It Means If Food Contains Mechanically Separated Meat
Once you know the meaning behind the words, mechanically separated meat doesn't have to be a scary packaging term. -
You've Been Storing Muffins Wrong This Whole Time
If you normally just toss your fresh-baked muffins in a plastic bag, or leave them in a container on your counter, they might dry out or go stale quicker than you can finish them. But no matter what kind of muffins you make, if you store them the right way, they'll last a little longer. -
Olive Oil Vs. Canola Oil: Which Is Better For Baking Cake?
When you're baking a cake, you might be accustomed to using butter (or maybe vegetable oil, if you usually rely on boxed cake mix). But other oils work as well. -
The Reason You Should Save Pasta Water Isn't What You Think
If you drain out your water the next time you make pasta, you might be throwing away a very valuable kitchen ingredient. Here's what to do with pasta water. -
This Is The Safest Way To Cut Squash
There are some things you can do to make the process of cutting a squash safer. Here's an easy tip for cutting squash. -
What Are Phyllo Sheets And What Are They Used For?
We're always looking for ways to make prepwork in the kitchen a little easier. If you do a lot of baking, you definitely want to keep phyllo sheets stocked in your pantry. They're a lot quicker and easier than making your own pastry, and there are plenty of different ways you can use them. -
The Dangerous Mistake You Don't Want To Make When Deep Frying A Turkey
Water boils at a lower temperature than oil, however, so it'll quickly reach its boiling point and turn to steam if you add it to a pot of frying oil. The gas at the bottom pushes the oil above out of the pot, making it splash everywhere, and it can easily catch fire. -
Why You Should Think Twice About Using Stew Meat For Stews
When you're planning on making beef stew for dinner, your first step is probably heading to the grocery store or butcher to pick up some stew meat. But while those packages of stew meat might be convenient, they're usually not your best option. -
How To Pick Out The Best Asparagus In The Grocery Store
Just like every other fruit and veggie in the produce section, every stalk of asparagus looks a little different. Luckily, there are a few quick tests you can use at the grocery store to find the freshest veggies. -
Here's The Difference Between Mutton And Lamb
While it's true that mutton and lamb are from sheep, there are still a few differences between the two that change the flavor and how you prepare and eat them. -
The Real Reason Organic Milk Lasts Longer Than Regular Milk
It's not your imagination or a myth: Organic milk really does last longer than regular milk. Expiration dates indicate that organic milk can last up to a month before it's opened, while regular milk usually only has about a week to 10 days. But the longer shelf life is unrelated to being organic. -
Steak 'N Shake's Menu Looked A Lot Different When They Opened
While Steak 'n Shake might be doing major burger business these days, that wasn't always the case. In fact, in its earliest stages, burgers weren't even on the menu. The founders of Steak 'n Shake, Gus and Edith Belt, originally ran a gas station and chicken restaurant in Normal, Illinois. -
What You Should Know About Baking With Frozen Blueberries
Frozen blueberries are a great option for your morning smoothies, yogurt, or baking needs, but there are a few things you should know before you try baking with frozen blueberries. The trick to baking with frozen blueberries is to wash them and coat them in flour before baking. -
The Little-Known Difference Between Marzipan And Almond Paste
It stands to reason that marzipan and almond paste are similar, if not the same, right? Actually, the two are completely different from one another, and though they share a common ingredient — almonds — they're far from the same. -
The Real Difference Between Blondies And Brownies
Most of us would be happy having either a brownie or a blondie for dessert (or both), and at first glance, they seem pretty much the same. But you can't consider yourself a true brownie connoisseur unless you know exactly what the difference is between blondies and brownies. -
What Is Yogurt Whey And How Is It Used In Cooking?
Whey gets left behind when straining yogurt. It's sort of a foggy, cloudy liquid, and it comes from making thicker types of yogurt, especially Greek yogurt. -
Here's How UK Subways And American Subways Differ
You might assume that chains like Subway are the same across the world, but that's not always the case. Usually, if you walk into a Subway in the UK compared to an American one, you'd recognize it as the same shop, but if you're paying attention, you'll also notice some differences.