Packed lunch safety, how long can food stay out of the fridge?
How long can a packed lunch stay out of the fridge? Learn which foods need cooling, how to use ice packs and how to transport lunch safely.
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Firm or soft persimmons, why some are astringent and how to ripen them at home
Why can some persimmons be eaten firm while others need to become soft? Learn how tannins cause astringency and how to ripen persimmons at home.
Filtered or unfiltered coffee, why brewing method changes what ends up in your cup
Paper filter, espresso and French press do more than change flavour. Brewing method also affects how much cafestol and kahweol reaches your cup.
Why cut apples turn brown and how to slow browning
Why do cut apples turn brown? Learn what causes enzymatic browning and how lemon juice, refrigeration and proper storage can help slow it.
Where should food go in the fridge? Why knowing the rules does not always mean following them
Raw meat, eggs, leftovers and produce should not simply go wherever there is space. Research shows why knowing food-safety rules does not always translate into safer habits.
Olive oil in dark glass, tins or plastic, how much does the container really matter?
Dark glass, metal, plastic and bag-in-box packaging do not protect extra virgin olive oil in the same way. Here is what the latest research means at home.
Why are some cooked chestnuts hard while others turn soft and floury?
Starch, moisture and cooking method help explain why chestnuts cooked together can turn soft, floury or remain firmer.
Pea, hemp, seaweed or insect pasta: what makes people willing to try it?
Pea, hemp, seaweed or insect pasta? An Italian study explores how food neophobia affects willingness to try unfamiliar foods.
Freeze food before the use-by date: can you eat it after the date has passed?
Freezing food before its date can extend storage, but UK and US date labels do not always mean the same thing. Here's what to check before freezing and after thawing.
Fresh mushrooms in the fridge, how to store them and how long do they last?
Fresh mushrooms are highly perishable, and their texture and appearance can change as they sit in storage. Refrigeration slows those changes, but practical recommendations need some local context: official guidance in the UK and US does not always address exactly…
Food packaging that changes colour as food spoils: how does it work?
Food packaging that changes colour as food spoils: how does it work, what can it detect and what are its current limitations?
Whole or cut pumpkin and winter squash, where to store it and how long it keeps
Whole winter squash can keep for months, while cut squash needs refrigeration. Here's what changes once you cut it.