Edible Innovations
From the deceptive simplicity of bread to the fascinating world of molecular gastronomy, learn all about the food you eat with these articles about edible innovations.
10 Nobel Laureates Whose Work Changed the World
Eugenics Overshadows the Legacy of Scientific Genius Francis Galton
Jane Goodall: A Global Face for Global Peace
Who Invented the Toilet? A Brief History of the Flush
HowStuffWorks: How Porta Potties Work
Who invented sports drinks?
Meet the Man Who Invented Cool Whip, Tang and Pop Rocks
Thomas Edison vs. Nikola Tesla Quiz
Who Was Rube Goldberg, and What Are Rube Goldberg Machines?
The Evolution of Dictaphones: A Comprehensive History
The Evolution of the Franklin Stove: From Invention to Modern Efficiency
The Fascinating History of the Mimeograph Machine
5 Green NASA Inventions
5 Types of NASA Technology in Your Attic
How Has NASA Improved Solar Energy?
How hard is the patent application process?
How to File a Patent
Turning Air Pollution Into Ink
10 New Uses for Old Inventions
How Do QR Codes Work? 2D Barcodes Explained
How can a bar code save your life?
Is it possible to fix a blown fuse with a chewing gum wrapper?
How do scratch-and-sniff stickers work?
10 Oddball Questions Scientists Have Genuinely Tried to Answer
Why does a balloon stick to hair?
Why Do We Experiment on Mice?
10 Black Scientists You Should Know
Learn More
There's a peculiar type of honey, called mad honey, that contains a neurotoxin. In small doses, it can cause hallucinations, but in large amounts, the substance can be highly poisonous. Over the centuries, people have used it as a medicinal drug, a recreational drug and even a bioweapon.
By Marie Look
We're talking the science of aging beer with the brewmasters of Sweetwater Brewery.
"Candy Queen" Jackie Sorkin took her love of sugary sweet candy and turned it into a crazy, colorful world of art and illusions.
Advertisement
Food spoilage is an urgent issue for the millions of people with unreliable electricity — or no electricity at all. A supercool $35 fridge could change that common scenario.
It's been part of people's diets around the world for centuries, but has recently become a health-food staple. Are you one of the people who seek a little culture every day?
Even in its simplest form, chocolate is a pleasure to eat. But these days, there are some truly quirky chocolate products out there that’ll blow your mind – and your taste buds. Click your way through this chocolaty gallery (and try not to drool too much).
By Rachel Frank
If you had the perfect cure for world hunger, wouldn't you want to share it? A group called the Breatharians claims to have the answer: Stop eating.
Advertisement
From Beaujolais to Bordeaux, Madeira to Merlot and Sancerre to Shiraz, wine can complement almost any food. And, one glass of red wine daily may be a heart-healthy habit. Learn how wine is made, from grapes to glass!
In an age of health-conscious consumers, low-carb diets and bottled water, one snack has stood the test of time. Twinkies are an icon of junk-food snacks and guilty pleasures, nutritionally worthless yet irresistibly yummy.
Water and vitamins help keep us alive and healthy. So if you put the vitamins in the water, wouldn't you be even healthier? Check out Glaceau's Vitaminwater and see if it really does what it claims to do.
By John Fuller
Energy drinks are everywhere, but how exactly are they supposed to give you energy? What's really in them, and are they safe? Find out.
Advertisement
Crunchy crust, soft, spongy middle -- there's something about fresh-baked bread. Have you ever thought about bread as a technology? Learn about the biochemical reactions that make bread taste so good!
Who doesn't love a smooth, creamy bar of chocolate? The process to make one is pretty tricky, but sooo worth it.
By Shanna Freeman & Alia Hoyt
Tired of hearing about things like monounsaturated fats, partially hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids and not knowing a thing about any of them? Find out what you need to know here.
Because sustenance ensures our survival, food preservation is one of the oldest technologies developed by human beings. Find out what's being done to your food to make it last longer.
Advertisement
Ever wonder what, exactly, you are putting in your body when you eat? Would you like to know the real difference between a "fat" and a "carb"? Learn all about food and how your body uses it!
Some cooks like to pound their steak with a mallet. Other adventurous souls have tenderized meat with explosives. Why does a pineapple work just as well?
By Tom Scheve
Whether it's providing us with a quick dose of energy or satisfying a sweet tooth, we love sugar. But is sugar a good fuel for us and our cars?
For the backyard chef and the experienced foodie alike, nothing means luxury like a fine steak, with melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor.
By Eleanor Duse
Advertisement
Not only do we need to consume salt, we also need it for a variety of nonfood uses. But if it's so important, why do health organizations recommend that we closely watch our intake? Apparently, there can be too much of a good thing. Learn what happens when we overload on salt or get too little of it.
People have strong opinions about pizza -- in terms of passion, it ranks right up there with politics and religion. How did this Italian peasant food become a diet staple?
By Alia Hoyt
A February 2008 blast at a sugar refining plant near Savannah, Ga., killed at least six people. Investigators believe the accident occurred when sugar dust exploded.
By Josh Clark
Spam has been inspiring obsession and revulsion since the Great Depression. What exactly makes people so passionate about it?
Advertisement
Tea, the second-most consumed beverage in the world, has its own culture and customs. Learn more about different kinds of tea and how the process of preparing tea works.
By John Fuller
It's a great pick-me-up in the morning and a perfect finish to a good meal. Ever think about trying to make this stuff at home? Find out what espresso actually is and how to make a perfect shot every time.