The AnswerBank Articles

Barbeque Impatience Costs Millions

It happens every year, as soon as the first sunny weekend in spring approaches husbands and father all over the country announce that the family is to have the first barbeque of the year. Many men are now sharing kitchen duties in the home with their working wives, but strangely even the most incapable of men will imme...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Van drivers urged to vote for best brekkie

Whether you have cereal, fruit, yogurt or a full English to start your day, Breakfast is known as being the most important meal. Although the health benefits of eating a banana greatly outweigh those of munching on streaky bacon and sausage, breakfast starts you off in a good way, supplying you with the energy you need...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

A small step for McDonalds, a big step for the behind

Experts are warning that fast food chains need to keep up with ever-changing food information on their products. Nutritionists have successfully lobbied big brand food providers to give consumers the information they need about their products, by clearly labeling their food with the calorie count and other details. A...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

A Chocolate Surprise

All is not sweetness in the world of chocolate. That won't be news to your dentist, but this is about more than cavities and fillings. So, as something of a Valentine's Day treat, a quick look under01:00 Fri 14th Feb 2003

Subversive Pudding

Q. What is the origin of the Christmas Pudding.A. Some 40 million Britons will dine on Christmas Pudding this year and owe a debt of gratitude of King George I. Q. So it days back to King01:00 Mon 16th Dec 2002

When else would you eat Sprouts

Q. So they come from Brussels, then A. From Asia actually. From Iran and Pakistan, arriving in Europe by courtesy of the Crusaders, who boldly slaughtered their way East and returned triumphant01:00 Mon 16th Dec 2002

Did you know that turkeys risk drowning

Q. Did Sir Walter Raleigh discover the Turkey A. No. Although he is often linked with the bird being brought back to England, the natives of America had noticed the running around for quite a01:00 Mon 16th Dec 2002

Porridge makes you happy

Downhearted women have known for years that eating chocolate can cheer them up. The downside is that the life caused by the sugar is later followed by an emotional low. Mental health experts now say01:00 Wed 25th Sep 2002

Equiba: too good to be true

There have been a host of postings - from anne, checkmatepat and many others - concerning a product called 'Equiba' and its claims to aid weight loss. In October 1998 the Bodywell company, based01:00 Wed 05th Jun 2002

On the origins of food names

Studying the menu in a swish Florida restaurant, your correspondent asked his waiter, Anthony (a resting actor), where 'Marinara sauce' got its name. Anthony hesitated for just a moment, clearly01:00 Mon 13th May 2002

The first Indian restaurant

barra asks: When did the first Indian Takeaway/Restaurant open in the UK Where in the UK was it In 1809 The Hindostanee Coffee House opened for business at 34 George Street, Portman Square,01:00 Thu 09th May 2002

Aberdeen-Angus cattle

ouedtaria asked: Are the breed of Angus cattle born with no horns or are they removed as calves Aberdeen-Angus cattle are naturally polled (hornless). They are also hardy, black, and the 'world's01:00 Tue 07th May 2002

Tried, Tested and (sadly) Untrue

Nelli asked why inserting a silver spoon into the neck of an opened bottle of champagne keeps it fizzy for longer. The real answer is that... it doesn't. Yes, we accept that Nelli did test it and01:00 Fri 26th Apr 2002

How is Greek yoghurt different from the yoghurt we eat

A. People in Central Asia, the Balkans and Turkey have made yoghurt throughout history to preserve milk, much in the same way as people in Northern Europe have made cheese and butter. it was01:00 Mon 29th Apr 2002

Where does pumpernickel derive its peculiar name

A. Debates about Germany's black bread have raged for centuries. The origins of the bread's curious name have interested linguists and historians for almost as long. Meyer's Konversationslexikon in01:00 Mon 29th Apr 2002

Do monks still make green Chartreuse

A. The liqueur is made at the Chartreuse distillery in France by the Carthusian order. They are not an enclosed order and do have limited contact with the outside world. Q. How long have they been01:00 Mon 29th Apr 2002

Is cider made from more than one variety of apple

A. Traditional ciders are made from a blend of cider-apple varieties, to enchance their richness and apple fruitiness. The more varieties you use, the more likely you are to have a complex and01:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002

Why are truffles considered so luxurious

A. Fresh truffles have always been synonymous with luxury, transforming even the simplest foods. The black truffle's great culinary gift is that it impregnates food with a deep, farmyard savour. A01:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002

Which types of seaweed are edible

A. The most common sort of seaweed is the finely branched red and green seaweed called carragheen, found on the coastline in the UK For centuries, Scottish, West Country and Irish cooks used01:00 Mon 22nd Apr 2002