The challenge is that promotional value is easy to measure. The $5 meal deal had a good run. So did the BOGO. The value bundle, the limited-time combo engineered to anchor consumer perception at the lowest possible price point: for two years, discounting was the industry’s collective answer to a consumer who was pulling back, … Read more

With more than 600 known pasta shapes produced across Italy, there’s far more to pasta than spaghetti and penne. Each shape has been designed with a purpose, from catching rich meat ragùs to holding delicate broths or creamy sauces. While the ingredients may be similar, the shape of the pasta can dramatically affect the texture … Read more

Two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day, making coffee one of the world’s most popular drinks. But with so many beans, brewing methods and coffee styles available, it can be difficult to know where to start. From the smooth sweetness of arabica to the bold intensity of robusta, every cup begins with a … Read more

Spicy grilled shrimp with garlic, chili powder, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Six ingredients, six minutes on the grill. Simple, fast, and full of flavour. Shrimp do not need much. One pound, peeled and deveined, tossed with olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Threaded onto skewers and grilled for … Read more

Pico de gallo made with fresh tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeno. Rough chopped in a food processor until chunky. Rested for thirty minutes before serving. My roommate in college was from Guadalajara and she made pico de gallo for every gathering, every party, every Tuesday. Her method was a knife and a … Read more

An iced coffee granita with white chocolate liqueur and lemon zest, scraped every twenty minutes until flaky. Topped with white chocolate whipped cream and cocoa powder. What if iced coffee was a granita? Two cups of iced coffee mixed with white chocolate liqueur and lemon zest, frozen in a baking dish and scraped with … Read more

For years, people have been told to cut back on sugar and salt as a step toward better nutrition and health. Sugar and salt reduction is so anchored in global public health initiatives that many countries use front-of-pack labeling systems to alert consumers regarding a product’s high sugar or salt content. However, since both sugar … Read more

What was the secret to the public health community’s triumph when past attempts to regulate the food industry failed? There are three broad approaches to mediating the ruin of risky choices: inform people (like using labeling), nudge people (for example, by offering financial incentives), or directly intervene to make the activity less harmful. Which do … Read more

Red flags, boundaries and unhealthy dynamics often bring to mind romantic relationships, but there has been a growing recognition that these same principles matter just as much in friendships. The warning signs – like putting in all the effort, or feeling like you are in constant competition – can show up in any relationship, whether … Read more