Food & Drink
Consumer Guide

Summertime Favorite: Corn on the Cob

When it comes to summertime food, the first thing I always think of is corn. Corn on the cob—mind you—none of that frozen or canned stuff. That doesn’t really count. Sure, you can get corn on the cob pretty much year around now in the grocery store, too, but I’m talking real, fresh, just-picked, sweet-enough-to-make-you-cry corn. That’s not to say you need to grow your own to eat a good ear of corn—in fact, given the need for cross-pollination, corn doesn’t make a very good garden crop unless you have lots of room.

Etiquette: Tipping 101

Tipping - leaving a monetary gratuity as a sign of appreciation for a service given - is often the source of confusion for many people. The question of whether or not to tip someone and how much to leave often leaves many people perplexed. To help you sort through some of these questions, here are the answers to some of your most common tipping questions.

Coffee & Tea: The ABC's of Tea

While many types of beverages come and go, tea remains a perennial favorite among people all over the world. In fact, according to a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, tea is second to water in worldwide consumption, with an estimated 2.25 billion gallons drank by Americans alone. There are many reasons why tea has remained popular: it is soothing, it is easy to make and it can be bought nearly anywhere. But even so, many people don’t drink tea simply because it makes them feel good or because it is convenient – they drink tea because they believe doing so will help to keep them healthy.

A Short History of French Cuisine

Surprisingly, it was the Italians who were the ones who had the most influence on French cuisine, for a number of reasons. In 15th century Renaissance Europe, food was becoming much more significant than a simple meal. Art, literature, and education were thriving, and so was a great interest in first-class food and drink. Wealthy Italians in Florence raised food to a higher norm, by using fresh ingredients and creating astonishing dishes, like layered pasta dishes (lasagna, manicotti, etc.), soups, breads, and desserts.