Chili, the shortened name for the north Mexican chili con carne¸ is a stew-like dish most often consisting of stewed red beans, chili pepper, meat and a massive variety of other ingredients. Traditionally, the particular flavors and ingredients incorporated into this savory dish depend entirely on which part of Mexico (or Texas) it has originated from1. As chili is relatively ...

Mushrooms is a broad-reaching term that refers to a multitude of fungi that may or may not be edible. For the sake of simplicity, this article will specifically refer to those common species of mushroom that are both safe to eat and easily found in most markets and stores1. Culinary mushrooms come in a variety of species that, fortunately, share ...

Molasses, also known as dark treacle, is a sticky and extremely sweet syrup often incorporating beets or other sweet produce in order to give it a unique taste. Originating in India during 500 B.C.E, molasses has been enjoyed as an additive to alcoholic drinks and as a baking aid for quite some time1. Because of molasses’ extremely high sugar content ...

Donuts are amongst the most commonly enjoyed baked desserts in the West. Eaten at nearly all times of the day and crowned with a variety of toppings and flavors, it is important for businesses to keep donuts as shelf-stable as possible for long periods of time in order to maximize profit1. Because donuts are often fried in oil and consist ...

Sauerkraut is a fermented dish of shredded cabbage and occasionally other vegetables. It presents a uniquely sour flavor that is often found to be in high demand in countries like Germany, the place of its origin1. Because of its fermented nature, the question of sauerkraut’s particular shelf-life is often asked. At what point is the fermented cabbage no longer safe ...

Tahini is a Middle-Eastern originating pureed dish made from mashed up hulled sesame seeds. Primarily acting as an additive to hummus and similar dishes, tahini is best known for having an earthy and nutty flavor1. Because of the relatively high lipid content that sesame seeds tend to possess2, it is recommended that precautions are taken in order to guard against ...

Pistachios are a close cousin to the globally enjoyed cashew. Much like the cashew, pistachios have a soft inner flesh and a relatively high fat content, making them an excellent snack high in essential fats and calories1. Because of the particular makeup of pistachios at a molecular level, they are highly susceptible to going rancid as particular species of bacteria ...

Granola is a loose mixture of many types of cereals, nuts, and sometimes even fruits. Commonly consumed as either a portable snack or breakfast food, granola has become a main-stay staple for many American breakfast tables. Because of the wide variation in ingredients and additives mixed alongside the granola’s cereal, it is often difficult to tell the exact length of ...

Eggplant, otherwise known as Aubergine in Europe1, is in fact several species of plants that produce edible fruit. Yes, contrary to popular belief, eggplant is in fact considered a fruit in the field of botany. Consumed in many forms of dishes, eggplants are most often cooked before being served, as raw eggplant may prove to be unpleasant to the taste. ...

Raisins are a sticky-sweet dried fruit originally found in the form of grapes. Often consumed as a sugary snack or as a garnish, raisins are found throughout the world owing to their ease of transport and relatively long shelf-life. Raisins will keep for as long a time as twelve months because of their low moisture content – a factor of ...