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.
By Zoe Denenberg
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.
By Al Sotack
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.
By Margarett Waterbury
The Real Story Behind Kansas City’s Signature Cocktail
For starters, it’s not even from Kansas City.
By Emily Farris
It’s Time to Give the Amaretto Sour Another Chance
This classic transcends its reputation for hangovers and heartburn.
By Roger Kamholz
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.
By Al Sotack
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.
By Anikah Shaokat
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.
By Brandon Summers-Miller
Everything You’ve Heard About Toasted Ravioli Is Wrong
Who really invented this St. Louis classic?
By Robert Moss
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.
By Wilder Davies
Bénédictine Doesn't Need the Mysterious Backstory to Be Great
It's not made by monks, but it is brilliant in cocktails.
By Al Sotack
What’s the Story of the Morning Glory? This Muffin Has Tales to Tell
The 1970s muffin is an exercise in hippie breakfast maximalism.
By Matthew Zuras
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.
By Zoe Denenberg
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.
By Matthew Zuras
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.
By Robert Moss
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.
By Megan Braden-Perry
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!
By Genevieve Yam and Rebecca Firkser
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.
By Al Sotack
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.
By Karima Moyer-Nocchi and Adrian Miller
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.
By Brad Thomas Parsons