The AnswerBank Articles

What's the best-selling drink

A. Coca Cola is this country's biggest selling drinks brand, with UK sales estimated at 665- 660 million, ahead of Nescafe and Stella Artois. The fruit drink Sunny Delight, however which enjoyed a00:00 Mon 20th Aug 2001

Where does vermouth gets its name from

A. Vermouth takes its name from the German for its main flavouring compound wormwood (wermut). The Latin name for this plant is artemisia absinthium, meaning vermouth is a second cousin to absinthe,00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

Does organic food taste better

A. Organic farmers tend to rear traditional livestock and poultry breeds and grow more traditional species of fruit and veg. These animals breeds are often hardier and more resistant to disease. They00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

Which flowers are edible

A. There are thought to be over 100 edible plants in the UK hedgerow. Foragers can also find wild parsnip or celery in parts of East Anglia, wild cabbage, blackberries, elderberries and fungi. 00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

What do you need to set up a bar at home

A. If you're into making cocktails at home, fresh fruit, juice and ice are the most important ingredients. Having the right equipment is essential, and depending on how seriously you take it, a00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

Is tequila made from cactus

A. Tequila is a distillate of the blue agave , one of over 200 strains of this family of desert lilies which grow across Mexico. There's a popular myth that tequila comes from cacti , but the agave00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

How pure is pure on a food label

A. The problem is manufacturers and consumers' notions of wholesome and pure food often different. Manufacturers who flout new labelling standards to be introduced in the autumn could now be fined00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

Is brown bread the new white

Hovis, the baking giant, has produced a brown bread with the taste, texture and colour of white. The new product is called Best of Both and contains enough fibre and wheatgerm to be classified as00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

Where is the world's top water-only bar

A. A new basement water bar in Paris at Colette, a 'styledesignsartfood' concept store, stocks more than 100 brands of water and is establishing a reputation as the top watering hole. Customers are00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

Who invented frozen food

A. The Chinese are thought to have invented the concept. In the 15th century, they began filling fishing boats with lumps of ice so fish would still be fresh when it was brought to land. The idea00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

Which is the most calming herb

A. The essential oils in basil make it one of the most calming and mood-enhancing of all the culinary herbs. It is derived from India, travelled to the Middle East, and only arrived in Europe about00:00 Mon 23rd Jul 2001

What are sour cherries

A. Sour cherries have an intense flavour, used mainly for cooking. Sour cherries are descended from the wild Prunus cerasus and can be divided into two categories: amerell, a light-coloured,00:00 Mon 23rd Jul 2001

Where's the best place to buy fresh crab

A. Whole, live or dressed crab is relatively easy to come by these days. One of the most famous places to get crab is Billingsgate Fish Market in London's Docklands. Buyers must be prepared to get00:00 Mon 23rd Jul 2001

What can I do with strawberries this summer

A. Strawberries make a great accompaniment to savoury foods and can also add zest to salads. They're great with spicy Mexican chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and tortilla chips, with a garlic dressing. 00:00 Mon 16th Jul 2001

Where does fondue come from

A. The fondue originated in the snow-covered mountain valleys and isolated villages and towns of Switzerland, where fresh food was scare and people had to rely on local food, produced by cheesemakers00:00 Sun 16th Sep 2001

What's the most expensive caviar

A. Beluga, the most famous caviar, sells for 3,987 per kilo, and Caviar House in London was recently selling Sevruga at 1,527 per kilo. Q. Where does it come from A. Caviar comes from the eggs00:00 Mon 16th Jul 2001

Where does Grolsch beer come from

A. It comes from a town, once called Grolle, now Groenlo, in the east of the Netherlands. The brewery was established by a Catholic family called De Groen. Q. Does it still have a swing-top A. 00:00 Mon 09th Jul 2001

What is couscous

A. Couscous is a fine, rolled, semolina-type grain made from ground wheat. It's a traditional North African food served with flatbreads or salad. Q. How do you make it A. For traditional00:00 Mon 09th Jul 2001

Is mutton back on supermarket shelves

A. Mutton is indeed making a comeback on Britain's supermarket shelves. It disappeared from our shelves about 15 years ago, but has been introduced recently to Tesco. Q. What exactly is mutton 00:00 Mon 09th Jul 2001

Which is the best wine guide to take to France

A. One of the most thorough guides for wine-lovers is the Hachette Wine Guide. It has been published in English for the first time (Cassell 19.99) and is so well researched British wine merchants00:00 Sun 01st Jul 2001