Knowledge about cooking and food is not always innate. While some of us seem to be born knowing how to dice an onion and having recipes from our ancestors baked into our brains, others are lucky to prepare a frozen pizza without burning it. There’s no shame in being inept in the kitchen, but if you’re looking to improve your cooking skills, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve compiled some of the most informative graphics about cooking and food from the Cool Guides subreddit to give you a crash course in culinary knowledge. So grab your apron and chef’s hat and dig into the informative list below, which even features an interview with a professional chef and the host of interactive culinary events, Chef Egg.
Don’t forget to upvote the guides you find most tasty, and be sure to share any delicious cooking tips or fun food facts you know in the comments section below. Then, if you’re looking for even more knowledge to add to your cooking arsenal, check out this Bored Panda piece next.
This post may include affiliate links.
The Life Cycle Of A Strawberry Is Neat
My wild strawberries are just in flower/losing petals. Soon I'll have some strawberries, if I'm faster than the squirrels, to harvest them!
Everyone feels differently about cooking. Some people find it to be a relaxing, enjoyable act of love, while others consider it the bane of their existence and avoid it at all costs. Often someone’s opinion on cooking depends on how they grew up and what they are used to. If you were never shown an example as a child of making a home cooked meal using fresh produce, you’re not likely to venture out to the farmer’s market on Saturday morning to pick up ingredients for dinner.
Traditionally in most cultures, women have been expected to take the lead in the kitchen, and it seems some things never change. According to the World Cooking Index, women still cook meals twice as often as men. But culture also plays a role in how developed our culinary skills become. A 2018 survey in the United Kingdom found that one in four Brits can only cook three recipes from scratch. Meanwhile, in India, the average person spends 13.2 hours a week cooking. These stats aren’t particularly surprising though, as most people I know are much more fond of Indian food than British cuisine. And suddenly, I have an intense craving for curry…
How To Pick The Right Watermelon
The United States is also not among the countries where people tend to spend many hours laboring in the kitchen. In 2017, Eddie Yoon, a researcher for the Harvard Business Review, conducted a survey that found that 90% of Americans don’t like cooking, with half of those people saying they outright hate it. Lucky for them, it’s pretty easy to avoid making meals at home these days. Yoon credits the rise of restaurant culture and convenience foods for America’s distaste for cooking. The average US household spends over $3,000 on dining out each year, while the same meals prepared at home typically cost around half the price. While the temptation to hit up your favorite Italian restaurant or order sushi on Doordash becomes greater over time, it’s important to be aware of the financial implications of eating out.
Macaroon Or Macaron?
We reached out to Chef Egg, professional chef, culinary instructor and host of interactive cooking events, to hear from an expert why it's important to know how to cook. The first reason Chef Egg notes is the financial benefit. "Restaurants charge 3x4 times the cost of the food," he told us. Next, he stressed how enjoyable cooking can be. "I like food…a lot. It tastes great. Once you have the basic fundamentals down you can literally create any recipes with good results." He notes that cooking can also be a good way to squeeze in more nutritious meals. "You will naturally eat more healthfully. Restaurant food can be awful for your health. Regulate salt, fat and carbs by cooking yourself."
Preparing your own food can also get you more in touch with your body. Chef Egg told us that cooking can "improve small motor skills, strength, patience, health, wellbeing as well as your sense of smell and taste". Lastly, he told us expanding our cooking skills can help "increase [our] knowledge of the world and different cultures". "Your food journey will enlighten the way you think about your fellow humans and the world in which we live. We are all connected."
Common Foods Before Humans Domesticated Them
If you’ve always been intimidated by cooking and assumed you lack the innate skills it requires, don’t lose faith yet. On her blog In Good Taste, Maris Callahan has shared four “Reasons Why You Might Think You’re A Bad Cook” to help readers understand that a few simple tweaks can exponentially elevate their kitchen skills. The first mistake Maris notes is beginners trying “to tackle complicated recipes with long ingredient lists”. While it can be exciting to delve into the world of cooking, as with anything else, it’s best to start with baby steps. Maris notes that it can be great to dip your toes into the culinary pool by making “simple one-pot type dishes that are flavorful, relatively hands off and require little cleanup”. Another common mistake people make is overcooking everything out of fear of food poisoning. Maris’ suggestion to resolve this issue is to invest in an oven thermometer. “It doesn’t have to be a fancy one, but it will keep you from eating rubber chicken for the rest of your life,” she notes.
Next, Maris reassures readers that taking longer to prepare a recipe than you originally thought does not mean you’re a bad cook. When a recipe says it takes "just twenty minutes!", that typically means it takes a professional twenty minutes. Allot yourself extra time, and prep ingredients before you get started to help everything run smoothly. Lastly, Maris addresses the misconception that being forgetful in the kitchen translates to being a bad cook. She recommends focusing on one step at a time to avoid chaotically searching for ingredients while your garlic and onions are turning black on the stove.
At A Burger Joint In My Town
Can My Dog Eat This?
The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired some to take up the hobby of cooking. Being home all the time meant that hour we typically spent commuting could now be used to prepare meals, and as our boredom became painful, we had to find something to look forward to. Why not let that be trying new recipes? One 2020 survey found that 54% of Americans started cooking more during the pandemic, and 46% started baking more. These new habits also helped 75% of Americans feel more confident in the kitchen, with 73% of them reporting they even enjoy cooking more than before. While being home in lockdown inspired people to experiment with many new hobbies, learning how to cook is certainly a great choice for our health, our wallets and our overall enjoyment of food.
This Is How To Measure Rice (Asian Style)
Six Vegetables That All Came From The Same Plant
Nestlé Won't Be Leaving Russia. Here's A Guide To The Product Brands That Nestlé Owns
This company is…. Truly evil. Like I know y’all hate Amazon but this place is worse. My mother’s favorite example is that they, to sell gerber baby formula, basically send people to tell poor African mothers that breast milk is not sufficient for their baby and that they need formula. And the babies *deep sigh* are uNaLiVeD because the mothers use the water available, which is dirty and unsafe for infants. Nestle is evil.
Daniela Galarza of The Washington Post wrote a piece in 2020 examining the phenomenon of inept cooks suddenly scrambling to learn after being forced to isolate in their homes. Galarza notes that when people slip through childhood and adolescence without learning how to cook, they’re not likely to show interest as adults either. “I can make spaghetti or tacos, but I’m scared of burning rice,” says Amy Myers, a 29-year-old developer based in Chicago. “My mom is a single mom and worked full-time, so she didn’t have time to do a lot of cooking. We ate a lot of takeout.” Once the pandemic hit, however, Amy took interest in learning pantry cooking and how to combine spices. “It’s a whole new world, but it’s becoming easier to understand,” she says.
The Ultimate Banana Guide
Know Your Coffee
Apples On A Scale From Most Tart To Most Sweet
I am just curious... does anyone actually like Red Delicious apples? I find they taste odd to me for some reason. My palate could just be weird.
I've heard someone describe them as "garbage apples" and I have to agree. There's not much taste to them and I've found they're more tart than they're touted as.
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Jazz and Honeycrisps are my favs. That trifecta of Sweet-Tart-Juicy is my idea of apple perfection 😙👌
Elstar is the best, but it’s a Dutch apple created in Elst, so I guess it’s only grown here in the Netherlands.
Load More Replies... Idk what it is, but I've been finding little difference in the taste and texture between apple varieties in recent years.
C*x are my favourite. Great mouth feel and flavour
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Red delicious are not. I think they were named as a joke. And anybody who says the like them just wants fiber and no flavor. Yes, red delicious make me judgmental. They might LOOK pretty, but I want my food to taste good. Call me crazy....
Or they are a ver very old variety and when they came about they were the best ones. Apples used to be pretty bland a few hundred years ago
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They are like biting into sawdust texture wise. Yes, I do know what a mouthful of sawdust feels like, spent a summer playing in a pile of sawdust at the mill.
Granny Smiths are always sold unripe. I had an apple tree with three types of apples (grafting is so clever) - grannies, gala and delicious. Because I have never been that keen on the tartness of the grannies I'd been given, I left them on the tree until one day, I noticed they'd turned a beautiful golden colour with brown freckles. They were stunningly delicious!!
I beg to differ: Sugarbee apples are the sweetest I've ever tasted. My teeth hurt after taking the first bite!
YES!!! You will not be disappointed!!! I love them!! (I live in the USA, currently in NC where they are available almost year-round.)
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YES!!! I misspoke in the other comment I posted. I referred to Stayman and Cortland as being synonymous. I meant to say Stayman and Winesap are the same apples. I'm originally from PA and have only found that variety in the Northern Atlantic Coastal region of the USA.
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Near where I live in the UK, we have a community orchard that planted rare and endangered Apple, Pear and Plum trees several years ago, along with other fruits under nets, like Gooseberries, Blackcurrants, Raspberries and Rhubarb - Free for those who want it (within reason) and I have to say that some of the Apples and Pears have astonishing flavours and textures, so much so that I'm going to make Pear Wine this year when the fruit is out !!
Of late I have become obsessed with cosmic crisp. Please try it, its delish.
Oh yes I knew it! I have told everyone that Fuji are the sweetest, and no one believed me.
I'm sorry, but the "Lady" apple just looks like a mango with an apple stem?
The most disgusting apples are those that are touted as crisp. The are always tart and watery. Like the Macintosh apples. Red delicious is the way to go. Granny Smith apples are just considered citrus fruit as they aren't sweet at all. You can sub Granny Smiths for lemons, lol.
I find Red Delicious have a strange skin. Peeled they are delicious. We have lots more fantastic apples in New Zealand which are full of health benefits. Some sweeter than Fuji and some beautifully coloured.
My favourite apples are Elstar, they are a not too sweet and not too tangy.
I hated the skin for most of my life. Have you tried it without the skin? I love them now. Skin and all
I never thought that different colors of apples have different names. I thought they were just red and green
This chart is BS. No Way is a Red Delicious sweeter than a Fuji or Honeycrisp, which IS the sweetest.
I don't think I've heard of half of these apples. I like Pink Lady, quite sweet but works quite well chopped up in a salad too.
While allergic to most fruit and I can eat apples, I actually hate em with a passion. I've never liked em.
red delicios boring and very dry. i dont see my beloved gravenstein big and very juicy. i only see gravenstein apple juice. i guess they dont ship well
being frombaltimore my favorite was gravenstein which i never see in texas
Only have a few of these apples in Australia or else the names are different
No Spartan apples? Gorgeous, with a really 'appley' flavour. Not over sweet
I hate Golden "disgusting" but French and Red Delicious are OK, My favourite, is Pink Lady!
Funny how my favorite varieties are the first and the last one on the chart.
Pacific rose here in NZ is really sweet it's a hybrid of Gala and a NZ variety of apple similar to golden delicious. It isn't tart at all.
Now they need a taste chart too. For instance the Delicious varieties - they are mealy and tasteless to my palate.
Sadly, no Gravenstein. Better texture, hardier, WAY more flavor than Granny Smith!
I think a very ripe golden delicious is the sweetest apple by far. Much sweeter than a Fuji or Gala (IMHO).
Ha! I've grown up on Fuji apples. No wonder the first time I tried to eat a Granny Smith, I about died.
The best ones aren't even on the list. Elstar or Holstein C*x ftw!
Am I the only person who loves Granny Smith apples above all others, and will purchase them happily to eat raw as-is, NOT for pies? XD
I can eat jonagolds each day, (and I try to do so) they never bore me
I thought the Honeycrisp would be sweeter than the red delicious…?
I love McIntosh too, but they are so hard to find in good condition. I like Empire as an alternative.
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"Ligol" - I have no idea how to call it in English, "Lady" looks a bit alike, it's the best - hard and juicy and not too sweet, and doesn't have a texture like it's made of half apple half flour- like bottom ones often do.
So once you’ve decided you’d like to venture into the world of cooking, where do you even begin? There are countless recipe blogs online, but the unlimited resources can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Elyssa Goldberg at Bon Appétit created a list of “The 7 Essentials of Becoming A Better Cook” to hold your hand through the beginning of your culinary journey. The first thing Elyssa notes that we must understand to be able to cook is different methods like roasting, sautéing, stir-frying, etc. Next, she recommends dedicating some time to understanding various ingredients. Learn which recipes are better with quinoa and which are more suited for rice. Would lentils or chickpeas be more complimentary of this sauce? Have fun and experiment to gain some knowledge. Elyssa notes that after tackling methods and ingredients, she moved onto spices. Understand which spices are appropriate for which cuisines and build up your repertoire. With a few simple tweaks, very similar recipes can be transformed by just substituting a few different spices.
A Healthy Snack
How Old Are Your Eggs
Eggs should be stored pointy side down. This keeps the air bubble at the top and will stay fresher longer. Store bought eggs are at least a month old.
How To Open A Lime!
Next, Elyssa says not to underestimate the power of lemon juice (and all acids actually). A hint of vinegar or citrus can go a long way in a meal to “cut through anything that seems excessively creamy or fatty”. She then notes to learn your cheeses. “There are few things a generous grate of Parmesan or a few hefty slices of feta wouldn’t remedy,” Elyssa notes. She goes on to share how valuable soy sauce is to her. It’s a great swap for plain salt, and aside from the obvious use in stir-frys, it can also be great in salad dressings or on mushrooms and tofu. Lastly, Elyssa recommends having some culinary lifelines you can look to when in need of help. But if you don’t have any loved ones who are chefs, Google can be your best friend too.
When To Boil Water To Cook Vegetables
Spice Combos
Cake
So if you’ve made it this far, and you’re still not inspired, you may be thinking, “what’s the point of learning how to cook?” Well, buying your own ingredients and preparing meals at home can save you a significant amount of money. It also allows you to understand exactly what’s going into your food. And once your palate becomes more evolved, you can prepare foods specifically to your liking, whereas meals you buy out might be aimed at more generic audiences. Cooking is also a rewarding experience. Tasting the fruits of your own labor is more satisfying than being brought a dish that you had no part in creating. Once we open the box of cooking curiosity, we’re likely to want to sharpen our skills even more and continue learning more recipes.
I Would Love To Have This For Afternoon Tea!
A Restaurant Guide For How You Want Your Steak Cooked
STOP TELLING PEOPLE THEY CANNOT HAVE THEIR STEAK WELL DONE!!!! IT'S THEIR FECKING STEAK!!!! Just because I like mine blue, doesn't meant I'm right or wrong, just that we prefer thigs differently!
Birdy Eggs
Cooking is also a great way to experience and appreciate other cultures. If you grew up in Italy, your parents might not have prepared Mexican dishes very often, but there’s no reason you can’t learn the cuisine. Just open up Google or Youtube and you can find countless recipes and tutorials for street tacos, chilaquiles, tostadas and more. Understanding how a country eats provides great insight into their culture, and it can be a way to feel connected to the world when traveling is not always feasible for our budgets and work schedules. And let's not forget that trying new foods is fun!
British & American Words
How To Test If A Plant Is Edible
A Cheese Melting Guide!
Many people even find preparing and sharing food to be a sort of love language. A delicious home-cooked meal can comfort us when we’re down, remedy us when we’re ill and help us feel relaxed and safe when visiting home. Major holidays and celebrations almost always revolve around food, and breaking bread with others is a wonderful way to bond. According to Belmont University, food sharing can even be a form of intimacy to strengthen our romantic relationships. Men and women tend to view food sharing slightly differently, with women seeing it more as a form of care-taking and men viewing it as a more romantic gesture, but the result is the same in both cases. Bonds are strengthened, and intimacy is increased.
All The Ways To Screw Up A Chocolate Chip Cookie...
You Want Lots Of Potatoes? This Is How You Get Loads Of Potatoes
Please use the wood listed (if using wood). DO. NOT. USE. PRESSURE-TREATED LUMBER. (aka deck lumber-there are poisonous chemicals which will leak into the soil)
Evolution Of Pepsi Bottles
While we’re all required to eat multiple times a day, it’s amazing that we can skate through life with minimal knowledge about what’s going into our bodies. Learning more about the foods we eat and how to prepare them can be great for our health, our social lives and our personal satisfaction (I mean, you get serious bragging rights if you know how to make a soufflé). We hope this list inspires you to dive a little deeper down the rabbit hole of food knowledge. Don’t forget to upvote your favorite charts, and fill us in on any fun food facts you know in the comments below!
Weird Fruits
Durian is best eaten frozen. Smells like stinky feet. (A coworker said it was jack fruit. He's the one that brought it to work. Said he got it from an Asian specialty store and that it was called Jack Fruit and he said they sold it frozen and that was the best way to eat it. As pungent as that fruit was it was actually good tasting. If I were wrong, he was wrong. Sheesh.)
The Only Wine Chart You'll Ever Need
Unfortunately this is not exactly true. The chart is partly correct as it refers to the sugar content naturally occuring in the grapes, but not taking into account the process. The sweetness of wine is not only determined by original grape but by vinification. Riesling, for example, more often than not is vinified as dry, although having much (inherent) sugar to begin with. Dry ports and dry moscato do exist, as do sweet Sangiovese or Sauvignon Blanc. To make matters even more complicated, this variies regionally - some grapes are mostly vinified dry in one country and sweet in another.
Vertical Foods
Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I love not knowing s**t about food because I can enjoy everything no matter how s**t it is.
Hit the "share" icon and send to your text message or email...🙂
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Why are y’all downvoting them! It’s a opinion not a fact! Downvoting can literally get then blocked on BP! Leave them alone!
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somehow i lost the post of the most remarkable birds you didn't know exist...how do i get back there?
Just something to be aware of, so no-one uses this vile word ever again. Please. It is a truly truly vomit-inducing disgusting word, even worse than the N-word. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/anti-black-racism-product-waitrose-b1867121.html
The...er...K one? I was wondering why that word nagged at the back of my mind for some reason, but I couldn't remember till you said something. You are correct, and it is not a word I'd ever say. Our store's never picked up an exotic lime of that nature; the strangest citrus I've seen appear is the Buddah's Hand, and that had to be explained to me by a Hong Kong native who was working in the Chinese department at the time we first picked them up. (I asked after taking a wild guess on if he might know; he knew.)
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I love not knowing s**t about food because I can enjoy everything no matter how s**t it is.
Hit the "share" icon and send to your text message or email...🙂
Load More Replies... Why are y’all downvoting them! It’s a opinion not a fact! Downvoting can literally get then blocked on BP! Leave them alone!
Load More Replies... somehow i lost the post of the most remarkable birds you didn't know exist...how do i get back there?
Just something to be aware of, so no-one uses this vile word ever again. Please. It is a truly truly vomit-inducing disgusting word, even worse than the N-word. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/anti-black-racism-product-waitrose-b1867121.html
The...er...K one? I was wondering why that word nagged at the back of my mind for some reason, but I couldn't remember till you said something. You are correct, and it is not a word I'd ever say. Our store's never picked up an exotic lime of that nature; the strangest citrus I've seen appear is the Buddah's Hand, and that had to be explained to me by a Hong Kong native who was working in the Chinese department at the time we first picked them up. (I asked after taking a wild guess on if he might know; he knew.)
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