Culinary History
What ancient civilization first used yeast to make bread - India or Egypt?
Egypt
Why do onions make you cry?
They release sulfuric compounds when they are cut - and it makes them sad :(
What's the national dish of Spain?
Paella
What’s the French term for cutting vegetables into long sticks?
Julienne
What fruit is nicknamed “the stinky fruit” and banned in some hotels?
Durian
Which country invented pasta: Italy or China?
China
What two cooking methods make food crispy by removing water?
Which country eats the most spicy food per capita?
Mexico or Thailand
What does “al dente” mean in pasta cooking?
Firm to the bite
Which vegetable is 95% water - celery or cucumber?
Cucumber
What was the original main ingredient in ketchup - apples or fish sauce?
Fish sauce
What gas makes bread rise - oxygen or carbon dioxide?
Carbon dioxide, from yeast
What grain is used to make traditional Japanese mochi?
Glutinous rice
What does “deglazing” a pan do?
You pour liquid into a pan after cooking meat there - it loosens the brown bits stuck to the pan to add flavor to the sauce
What’s the only food that never spoils?
Which French queen famously said, “Let them eat cake”?
Marie Antoinette
What’s the Maillard reaction?
Proteins and sugars turn brown when they are heated
What’s the primary meat in authentic German bratwurst?
Pork
What is the name for eggs cooked gently in simmering water?
How many taste buds does the average human have?
10,000
Where did the sandwich get its name?
The Earl of Sandwich
What can you add to apples to keep them from browning - acids or starches?
Acids (like lemon juice)
What ingredients are in the Indian/Pakistani dish called biryani?
Rice, meat, and spices cooked together
What is the name for the large, deep pan used for stir-frying in Asian dishes?
Wok
What common fruit was almost killed off in the 1950s by Panama disease?
Bananas