The hottest Food & Drink Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Food & Drink Topics

How to do International Food Aid and Succeed as an African Entrepreneur in One Day

Splattern • 1 HN point • 12 Aug 24
🍲 Food & Drink Entrepreneurship Cultural Exchange Community support Sustainability
  1. Food aid can significantly improve people's lives, as shown by the joy and gratitude of families receiving meals. Simple acts of giving can create strong connections and happiness in communities.
  2. Success stories of entrepreneurs can provide hope and insight into achieving personal goals. Learning from those who have succeeded, like Rocky, can inspire others, like Living, to understand and reach for their ambitions.
  3. Different cultures offer unique solutions for common problems. While the U.S. has its challenges, the close-knit, family-oriented lifestyle in Africa can teach lessons about connection, happiness, and health that can benefit everyone.

trying too hard

let them eat cake • 99 implied HN points • 27 Apr 22
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Food Industry Baking
  1. Making canelé can be challenging, with a high failure rate due to various factors. Even professional kitchens face similar struggles.
  2. Troubleshooting with different methods like batter consistency and resting time may not always work. Sometimes a simple change like adjusting the oven temperature can make a big difference.
  3. Persistence and experimentation are key in overcoming cooking challenges. Trying new approaches, even if they seem unconventional, can lead to success.

Is Your Olive Oil Fake? The Truth That Big Olive Doesn't Want You to Know

Neuro Athletics • 15 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Health Cooking Food Quality Products
  1. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), is good for your health and can help you live longer. Studies show that people who use olive oil often have lower risks of serious diseases.
  2. The quality of olive oil matters a lot. Extra virgin olive oil has more health benefits because it contains important compounds called polyphenols that fight inflammation and protect cells.
  3. There's a lot of talk about olive oil being a healthy choice, but you have to be careful. If you buy low-quality olive oil, you might miss out on the real health perks.

🐟 Food Find Friday - Dec 8, 2023

Mister Branzino's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Food Trends Food culture Food Media Food Industry
  1. People are opting to eat from hot bars at grocery stores more than at restaurants due to the macro-economy, so cooking at home can be a good money-saving option.
  2. National Cookie Day was celebrated last week, and there's a delicious peanut butter cookie recipe featured that's worth trying.
  3. Food & Wine's 2023 Holiday Gift Guide is recommended for Christmas shopping, with gift ideas like the Yeti Rambler being appealing. Still enough time to get gifts.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

176 | Surprising Fraud in a Cheap Food | Planning for Crises |

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Crisis Management Regulations
  1. Crisis management is important in the food industry. Having a plan helps businesses respond quickly to issues and reduces damage.
  2. Rice fraud is surprisingly common, with many incidents occurring that involve mislabeling and smuggling. It shows that even everyday foods can be at risk.
  3. Being honest during a crisis can help maintain customer trust. Transparency in communication is key to managing a company's reputation.

Back on Tour and Dairy Farming

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Sustainability Travel Food Trends Cultural Exploration
  1. Burlington, Vermont has a cool vibe with breweries, shops, and nature around Lake Champlain. It's interesting how a place so close to home can feel so new and unexplored.
  2. There's a 24/7 ferry that runs between New York and Vermont, providing a surprising service in an area that seems remote. It’s funded by taxpayers and has a long history.
  3. Organic dairy farming claims to help the environment, but there are concerns about cow emissions. A recent program is turning retired dairy cows into grass-fed meat, creating a new revenue stream for farmers.

Finding Magic in the Homeplace

Vittles • 87 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Cultural cuisine Family Meals Comfort food
  1. Cooking can be a process of experimentation and hope, where openness and journeying towards something matter more than worrying about failure.
  2. Simple dishes like maraq cad, a Somali lamb broth, can hold enormous satisfaction and comfort, even when they seem less exciting than elaborate meals.
  3. Food, like maraq cad and yam dumplings, can be a way to create a sense of home and magic, especially in challenging times or when feeling under the weather.

A delightful mess

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 19 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Writing Personal Reflection Recipes
  1. The messiness of life, similar to the experience of peanut butter, can be a blend of chaos and delight.
  2. Good things leave a mark, and even though they may make a mess, they are worth savoring.
  3. The struggle to find meaning and make sense of chaos, like relating peanut butter to career and relationship experiences, can itself be an intriguing journey.

Six of One - Supermarket Sweep

Vittles • 84 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Supermarkets Snacks Restaurants
  1. Vietnamese markets in London offer a variety of savory and sweet snacks worth trying, such as sweet silken tofu with ginger syrup and Vietnamese pandan yogurt with black sticky rice.
  2. London Starnight is an Asian supermarket with a wide selection of Vietnamese classics, frozen dumplings, and regional alternatives, along with different kitchen tools and Lunar New Year decorations.
  3. Explore the Vietnamese supermarkets along Mare Street in London for unique food items, specially prepared foods, and a wide range of takeaway options.

More Than Just Meringue

Vittles • 87 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Baking Cooking Vegan Desserts
  1. Experimenting with egg white substitutions in cookie recipes can lead to delightful results like chewy and soft cookies with a subtly crisp exterior, perfect for ice cream sandwiches.
  2. Understanding the balance between structure-building and structure-breaking ingredients in baking science is essential for recipe modifications.
  3. Using up leftover ingredients and testing flavor combinations can inspire creative and tasty variations of chocolate chip cookies.

We see them as we eat them

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 19 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food
  1. The pumpkin, like other fruits, holds its true essence and purpose within itself, seen only when consumed.
  2. People often overlook the true nature and beauty of things, such as pumpkins, only seeing them as food items like pies or curry.
  3. This reflection on how we see pumpkins can be applied to how we perceive individuals based on external labels or appearances.

meaning silk, or rags

let them eat cake • 379 implied HN points • 02 Aug 19
🍲 Food & Drink Bakery Ingredients History Culture
  1. Chiffon cake was a new and innovative creation in the 20th century, incorporating baking powder and vegetable oil unlike traditional foam cakes.
  2. Pandan chiffon cakes are popular in a certain age group in Singapore for being less sweet and light due to their airy texture.
  3. Neighborhood bakeries selling pandan chiffon often maintain a traditional, artisanal approach, using industrial mix but employing handcrafting techniques.

best of breed

let them eat cake • 59 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture
  1. In France, the concept of a kitchen garden can be misleading as it may not provide all the food served, leading to bigger questions about sourcing.
  2. Portion sizes in modern bistros seem to be increasing, possibly indicating changes in the market for larger meat servings.
  3. The French preference for traditional coffee may have hindered the growth of third wave coffee culture there, as they believe they already have the best.

Archana Pidathala’s Buckwheat Breakfast Set

Vittles • 77 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Cooking Ingredients
  1. Archana Pidathala's buckwheat breakfast set includes panjiri and spiced chai cake, offering nourishment and indulgence in the form of a versatile, fragrant dish.
  2. Food can be a way to connect and care for others, as seen through the author's experience of creating dishes inspired by loved ones.
  3. Buckwheat is a versatile ingredient for creating gluten-free recipes like panjiri, providing a unique, earthy flavor profile that complements other ingredients.

portage

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 11 May 22
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Sustainability
  1. Bringing your own containers for takeout food is a common practice in some cultures, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
  2. Different regions have unique approaches to takeout packaging, with some prioritizing reusable and precious containers over resource-intensive options.
  3. Some restaurants are transitioning to supposedly reusable takeout containers, but lack of social contracts and infrastructure may lead to challenges in ensuring they are used as intended.

Recipe: Raspberry-Oat Bars

The Analog Family • 39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Baking Desserts Nutrition Cooking techniques
  1. Raspberry-oat bars are a hearty and delicious dessert that can satisfy sweet cravings with their nutty and fruity flavor. They're filled with texture and flavor, making them a great choice over delicate desserts.
  2. The recipe is flexible, allowing for different nuts to be used in the topping, so you can customize it based on your preferences. This makes it fun to experiment with different ingredients.
  3. These bars can be easily made in a few steps, starting with a simple base of flour, oats, and butter, then topped with a rich nut mixture. They're perfect for sharing or enjoying at home.

Food Fraud Incidents 2025 (Searchable List)

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Consumer Awareness Sustainability Data Management
  1. There is a searchable list of recent food fraud incidents from 2025. This can help people easily find information on specific cases.
  2. Incidents before September 2022 are stored in a database on Trello for reference. It's good to have a place to look for older information too.
  3. New insights about food vulnerabilities are still being added to this database, showing that the issue of food fraud is ongoing. Keeping up with this information is important for everyone's safety.

Herding in Queues: Why we Can’t resist Long Lines for Bagels

Gad’s Newsletter • 32 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Consumer behavior Psychology Economics Marketing
  1. People often wait in long lines for things like bagels because they believe that if a lot of others are waiting, then the product must be really good. This is called social proof.
  2. Even though waiting can be frustrating, many customers think the experience is worth it. They might feel like they're part of something special when they join a long line.
  3. Humans tend to mimic what others want rather than deciding for themselves. This means our desires can be influenced by seeing others enjoy something, like delicious bagels, leading us to wait in line too.

Organic, local, and slow

let them eat cake • 379 implied HN points • 13 Jun 19
🍲 Food & Drink Food Systems Local
  1. Organic, local, and slow are different answers to distinct questions in the food system
  2. Organic addresses chemicals in food, local counters industrialization, and slow combats commercialization
  3. Conflating organic, local, and slow can hinder thoughtful trade-offs in the food system and overlook the diversity of needs in a global population

Four Types of Cream

The Heart Attack Diet • 19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Dairy Supermarkets
  1. There are four main types of cream: single cream, double cream, crème fraîche, and soured cream, each with unique nutritional breakdowns.
  2. Double cream is concentrated single cream with high fat content, while soured cream is essentially off single cream.
  3. Crème fraîche is like a mix of single and double cream that has soured. Mixing these creams can lead to delicious results!

199 | Olive Crisis Update (is it over now?) | A Comprehensive Guide to Glass Management |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Agriculture Nutrition Crisis Management
  1. Olive oil is often targeted by fraudsters because it's valuable and has many grades, making it hard for people to tell what's real. Buying from trusted vendors can help reduce the risk of fraud.
  2. The olive oil industry faced a crisis due to climate change and diseases like Xylella fastidiosa, which caused significant crop losses. While harvests are recovering, ongoing challenges from pests and droughts remain.
  3. Recently, the number of reported olive oil fraud cases has increased, especially during times of high prices. As supplies improve and prices stabilize, fraud rates might go down, but olive oil will always be at risk.

Turkish ice cream vendors

This week I am curious about? • 19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine History Culture Travel Fun
  1. Turkish ice cream, known as Dondurma, has a unique texture and resistance to melting due to ingredients like salep and mastic.
  2. The Dondurma vendor attire includes a Kaftan robe and Fez hat, creating a distinctive look that symbolizes Turkish ice cream culture.
  3. Turkish ice cream vendors play tricks on customers as a fun sales technique, which has become popular especially through social media.

Six of One: Eggs 25 Ways

Vittles • 74 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Restaurants Street Food
  1. The Egg & Veg Food Plaza Restaurant in London serves a variety of egg dishes along with other Gujarati specialties, offering a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.
  2. The café is known for its unique approach to food, serving eggs in 25 different ways rooted in Gujarat's street food culture.
  3. In addition to the diverse egg options, the menu also includes Gujarati and Punjabi thalis, vegetarian Indian dishes, and Mumbai-style Frankies, providing a comforting culinary experience in a cozy setting.

Maraschino Cherries Are a Lie

The Heart Attack Diet • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Ingredients Recommendations
  1. Maraschino cherries labeled as such may actually be cocktail cherries flavored with chemicals and heavy in sulphites, potentially causing adverse reactions for those with allergies or intolerances.
  2. Fake maraschino cherries contain sulfur dioxide, chemical dyes, and other additives, making them significantly different from genuine maraschino cherries preserved in sugar syrup.
  3. Authentic maraschino cherries preserved in sugar syrup are recommended as a healthier alternative to the chemically treated cocktail cherries, despite being a bit pricier.

Golden Syrup: An Apology

The Heart Attack Diet • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food
  1. Golden Syrup contains only small amounts of sulphites, making it fairly harmless even for those intolerant or allergic to sulphites.
  2. Detailed analysis of Golden Syrup's composition showed it has minimal sulphites, hence not a major concern for health.
  3. Even if someone is sulphite intolerant, consuming Golden Syrup in moderation may not lead to any ill effects.

Roast #16: The tale of four roasters and an artist

thoughtfulcoffee • 19 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Coffee Events Roasting Experience Support
  1. Planning and organizing a successful coffee event involved collaboration and lots of preparation.
  2. Effective communication and coordination among the group members were key to overcoming challenges and ensuring the event's success.
  3. Feedback and support from attendees added to the enjoyment of the event, making all the effort and hard work worthwhile.

197 | STEC On The Rise? | Insider Warning: Sugar Adulteration! |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Public Health Nutrition Food Industry
  1. STEC infections are at a record high in Europe, but some of this might be due to better testing methods that can catch more cases.
  2. The most affected groups are young children and the elderly, who represent most of the serious cases and fatalities related to STEC.
  3. Preventing STEC infections still relies on good hygiene practices and proper cooking, as the sources of the bacteria in food and water have not changed.

Keep The Home Fries Burning

Murder, She Cooked • 19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Cooking TV shows
  1. Virtual reality club for Murder, She Wrote fans with free monthly episode guides and recipes
  2. Join Cabot Cove Club with assigned show characters and extra perks for paying subscribers
  3. Episode summary: Restaurant opening causes chaos with themed dishes, health issues, and Jessica's culinary detective skills

fifth slice

let them eat cake • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Travel
  1. The author has been to France and Singapore, mentioning an experience with pâté-crôute in both places.
  2. There is an upcoming event in Montreal for the North American qualifiers related to pâté-crôute.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial of the publication.