Reasons Behind Strange Things You See In Food & Drinks

Summary

This video script delves into the peculiarities of food, revealing the origins of donut holes, the tale behind stargazy pie, and the science of Swiss cheese's holes. It uncovers the truth behind dyed cheeses, the safety of food additives like cellulose and ammonia, and the history of Halloween's jack-o-lanterns. The script also addresses the myths surrounding Oreos and Freemasonry, the tradition of Mescal's worm, and the purpose of nitrogen in chip bags. It provides insights into food packaging secrets, the safety of blue cheese mold, and the fascinating facts about mushrooms, concluding with the surprising history of fortune cookies.

Takeaways

• 🍩 The hole in donuts was invented for practical cooking reasons by Captain Hanson Gregory to ensure even cooking, not by a sailor on a boat.
• 🐟 Stargazy pie, a dish with fish heads protruding from the crust, has a 500-year-old story linked to a village's survival during a storm.
• 🧀 The holes in Swiss cheese are created by carbon dioxide from bacteria in milk, not by mice, and modern cheese has fewer holes due to cleaner milking practices.
• 🧀 Some cheeses are artificially colored to mimic the natural yellow from cows' diet; this practice started in the 16th century to trick customers into thinking pale cheese was of lower quality.
• 🍅 Cellulose, an additive found in many foods, is derived from sawdust but is safe for consumption as it is also found in vegetables like broccoli.
• 🍖 Ammonia is used in some meat processing to kill bacteria, and while it is poisonous, the FDA states that the amounts used are safe for consumption.
• 🥩 Meat glue, an enzyme that bonds small pieces of meat together, is banned in the EU but still used in the US, despite the risk of bacterial contamination.
• 🎃 The tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-o'-lanterns originated from ancient pagan rituals and was incorporated into Christian celebrations over time.
• 🍪 Oreos' distinctive pattern has been the subject of conspiracy theories linking them to Freemasonry, but these connections are likely coincidental.
• 🐛 Mescal, a Mexican spirit, often contains a worm in the bottle, a practice that began as a marketing strategy rather than a traditional garnish.
• 💨 The air in chip bags is actually nitrogen, used to prevent the chips from going stale and to cushion the product during transport.

Q & A

Why do donuts have holes?

Donuts have holes because it allows the outer and inner layers to cook simultaneously when deep-fried, ensuring even cooking and preventing the middle from being undercooked.

What is the origin story of the ring donut according to the sailor Hansen Gregory?

The origin story claims that sailor Hansen Gregory was eating traditional European donuts on a ship and skewered them onto the spokes of the ship's wooden steering wheel to eat while keeping hands on the wheel. However, this story was debunked by Gregory himself in 1916.

Why was the stargazy pie created with fish heads protruding through the crust?

Stargazy pie was created as a way to commemorate a story from the 16th century where a fisherman named Tom Ballock braved a storm to catch enough fish to feed the starving village of Mousehole. The pie was made with so many fish that their heads and tails poked through the crust.

How are the holes in Swiss cheese formed?

The holes in Swiss cheese are formed by the action of Propionibacterium freudenreichii, a bacteria that gives off carbon dioxide during the cheese-making process, creating gas bubbles that leave holes in the cheese.

Why are some cheeses dyed yellow?

Some cheeses are dyed yellow to mimic the natural color that comes from the beta carotene in the grass cows eat during summer. This practice started in the 16th century when English cheese makers dyed their pale winter cheeses yellow to make them appear more desirable.

What is cellulose and why is it used in food?

Cellulose is a molecule found in plants, including vegetables like broccoli, and is chemically extracted from waste sawdust. It is added to food products to improve texture or increase the amount of fiber in the food and is safe for human consumption.

Why is ammonia used in some ground beef processing?

Ammonia is used in some ground beef processing to kill harmful bacteria on the meat. The FDA has stated that these products are safe as they use small amounts of ammonia mixed with water, and there are barely any traces of the poisonous chemical left after the process.

What is the history behind the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-o'-lanterns?

The tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-o'-lanterns originated from ancient pagan practices in Ireland and Britain during the Celtic holiday of Samhain. It was incorporated into the Christian holiday of All Hallows' Eve and brought to America by Irish settlers, where pumpkins were used instead of turnips.

What is the significance of the pattern on Oreo cookies and its connection to the cross of Lorraine?

The pattern on Oreo cookies includes the cross of Lorraine, which is also used by the Freemasons. However, the use of this symbol on Oreos is coincidental and dates back to its adoption as Nabisco's logo by its first chairman, Adolphus Green, who found the symbol in an old Venetian book.

Why do some bottles of Mescal contain a worm?

The inclusion of a worm in Mescal is a marketing practice that started when a Mescal entrepreneur named Jacobo Lozano found that a worm-infused drink tasted better. The practice was adopted by other Mescal manufacturers and falsely marketed as a traditional Mexican garnish with hallucinogenic properties.

What is the purpose of the nitrogen gas in chip bags?

Nitrogen gas is used in chip bags to prevent the chips from going stale by displacing oxygen, which would otherwise cause the food to spoil. It also acts as a cushion to protect the chips from being crushed during transit.

What information can consumers gain from the price lookup codes found on fruit stickers?

Price lookup codes on fruit stickers can provide information about how the fruit was grown. For example, a code starting with a nine indicates the fruit was grown organically, while a code starting with an eight suggests the fruit is genetically modified.

Why do some milk containers have inverted circles on the side?

Inverted circles on milk containers serve as an indicator of spoilage. As bacteria in expired milk produce gas, the gas pushes against the circle causing it to pop out, signaling that the milk is unsafe to drink. They also act as shock absorbers to prevent the carton from exploding if dropped.

What causes the red spots in egg yolks?

Red spots in egg yolks, known as blood spots, occur when a tiny blood vessel on the surface of the yolk ruptures during egg production or laying. They are harmless and safe to eat, and are not an indication that the egg has been fertilized.

Why is mold safe to eat in blue cheese?

Blue cheese is made with a specific type of mold called Penicillium roqueforti, which is safe for humans to consume. This mold does not produce the mycotoxins that are harmful in other types of mold, allowing for the safe consumption of blue cheese.

What is the purpose of the gills on mushrooms?

The gills on mushrooms are where spores are produced. The folds between each gill contain cells that release spores into the air, allowing for the reproduction of new mushrooms.

Why are fortune cookies considered a Chinese dessert in America?

Fortune cookies were invented in America with roots in Japanese culture. However, during World War II, when Japanese businesses were shut down, Chinese restaurants started selling fortune cookies. By the time the war ended, most Americans believed they were a Chinese tradition, and this perception has persisted.