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Origin Story

It’s Not Just Pound Cake. It’s Philly Fluff Cake.

My family has been trying to recreate this legendary cake, a staple of local Jewish-Italian bakeries, for decades. Here’s how I finally cracked the code.

Alcohol-Free Cocktails Aren’t New. Just Ask a Soda Jerk

Today’s home bartenders have a lot to learn from the Razzle Dazzle, the Maple Frostbite, and the Orange Crush.

The Root Vegetable That Fueled a $25 Million Ponzi Scheme

Rich in carbohydrates and easy to cultivate, these little rhizomes once promised to solve all of our energy problems.

The Real Story Behind Kansas City’s Signature Cocktail

For starters, it’s not even from Kansas City.

It’s Time to Give the Amaretto Sour Another Chance

This classic transcends its reputation for hangovers and heartburn.

The Myth of the Margarita and Its Many Inventors

For a simple combination of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and salt, this cocktail has a winding history.

How This Chicken Dish Went From a Military Staple to a Wedding Tradition

This Mughal-era delicacy has been a symbol of celebration for generations of Bangladeshis.

Bananas Don’t Taste Like They Used To. Here’s Why

The breads, puddings, and tarts of your grandparents’ generation were made with a completely different banana.

Everything You’ve Heard About Toasted Ravioli Is Wrong

Who really invented this St. Louis classic?

Weird Vintage Recipes Found a Second Life Online—And They’re Thriving

Savory Jell-O salads are natural-born social media stars, and history can tell us why. 

Bénédictine Doesn't Need the Mysterious Backstory to Be Great

It's not made by monks, but it is brilliant in cocktails.

What’s the Story of the Morning Glory? This Muffin Has Tales to Tell

The 1970s muffin is an exercise in hippie breakfast maximalism.

What Is Miso, and How Do I Choose the Right One for What I’m Cooking?

There are over 1,300 types of miso produced globally. We’re diving into the ingredient’s rich history, plus how to shop for, store, and cook with miso paste.

The Murky, Salty Mystery of Worcestershire Sauce

The peppery sauce may be wildly popular, but its ingredient list and origin story are shrouded in secrecy.

The Secret History of Celery

How the crunchy stalks went from Victorian centerpiece to ubiquitous football snack. Find the story of celery's rise to fame here.

How King Cake Became Carnival Royalty in New Orleans

With or without the plastic baby baked inside, this purple, green, and gold cake is an icon of Mardi Gras.

The Complete Epicurious Cake Recipe Finder

Explore our cake recipes finder to find the cake that suits your schedule and your cravings. Click on a cake icon and read more!

You Can Teach a Whiskey Sour New Tricks

This whiskey sour may be more than 150 years old, but it’s more flexible than you’d think.

Who Invented Mac and Cheese?

A look at the historical fallacies, truths, and wishful thinking about the queen of comfort foods, from Ancient Rome to the Soul Food canon.

The Jungle Bird Will Make Your Cocktail Hour Soar

This half-century-old tiki drink brings together an unexpected combination of rum, pineapple, and Campari.