Why Is It Bad to Run Cold Water over a Hot Pan?

What’s wrong with a little sizzle? (By Roxanne Webber)

If You Add Milk to Tea Does It Stop the Brewing Process?

Cooling down the liquid slows the steeping. (By Roxanne Webber)

Does Vinegar Make Peeling Hard-Boiled Eggs Easier?

The quest for an easy-peel egg. (By Tiffany Maleshefski)

What Is Instant Coffee?

Does it come from the same plant as regular coffee? (By Kara Zuaro)

A Watched Pot Never Boils

With these electric kettles, boiling water has never been so easy, quick, or precise. (By Louisa Chu)

What Is Liquid Smoke?

Tastes more substantial than it sounds. (By Roxanne Webber)

Does Salting Dried Beans Make Them Harder to Cook?

Science says it’s an old wives' tale. (By Roxanne Webber)

Chill and Enjoy

In Australian wines, it’s hot to be cool. (By Jordan Mackay)

Virgin Drink Reminder

Party beverage advice for the holidays, or anytime. (By Helena Echlin)

Down-Home Prosciutto

The country ham is our native prosciutto or serrano, though most Southerners wouldn’t dream of throwing an uncooked leg on a deli slicer and shaving some to go with the asparagus. Most Northerners, meanwhile, have never heard of... (By Sue Moore)

Magnetic Fields

Induction cooktops cook hot, stay cool. (By Louisa Chu)

Seed Saving for Beginners

Adapt plants to your own private patch of dirt. (By Roxanne Webber)

Make Your Own Preserves

How to hold on to summer’s best produce: canning.

How Are Nonalcoholic Beer and Wine Made?

Secrets of fake booze revealed. (By Jason Horn)

How Long Can Dried Pasta Be Stored?

It doesn’t get moldy, so surely it lasts forever. (By Michele Foley)