The hottest Food culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Food & Drink Topics

Cream is thicker than blood: the rise and fall of the Devon split

Vittles • 94 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture
  1. Devon has a rich history in dairy, with a strong tradition of clotted cream and unique dishes like the Devon split.
  2. The rise of the Devon dairy industry was closely tied to the development of the railway system, which allowed for the transport of fresh milk and cream to London.
  3. The decline of the Devon split mirrored the decline of the railways in the latter half of the 20th century, as competition from road transport and industrialization changed the dairy landscape.

three things

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Food culture Food Industry
  1. The author is working on a book about Singaporean food and food culture and is seeking ideas and input from readers.
  2. A shortage of semiconductors causing a slowdown in car manufacturing led to unexpected consequences like a shortage of Haribo gummi bears due to gelatin from leather manufacturing.
  3. The Superiority Burger cookbook offers high-spirited food recipes designed for manufacturability, regardless of one's stance on meat eating.

Does Tokyo Have the Best Food in the World?

The Intersection • 98 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Quality Food culture
  1. Different cultures have strong hometown pride, which may influence their opinions on the best places in the world.
  2. When considering the city with the best food, it's important to take into account diverse cultures and cuisines, like those found in New York.
  3. Tokyo is considered by many, including experts like Anthony Bourdain, to have some of the best food in the world, offering a diverse array of culinary experiences.

no. 54: thinner than porter

let them eat cake • 319 implied HN points • 22 May 22
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Local Cuisine
  1. Kway chap, a Singaporean dish, offers a unique dining experience with its long queues and variety of ingredients like pork innards and rice noodles.
  2. The process of waiting in line at a hawker stall for kway chap involves observing the bustling environment, from ordering to receiving the food.
  3. The complexity of flavors in kway chap, along with its textural variety and symbolic value, makes it a deeply satisfying dish worth the inconvenience.

My Week in Food

The Analog Family • 159 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Recipes Baking Meal Planning Food culture
  1. Food plays a big role in daily life and is often the first and last thought of the day. Cooking brings people together and adds excitement to mealtimes.
  2. Shopping for groceries based on sales and what’s available helps manage food costs, especially with rising prices. Using leftovers creatively is also a great way to save money.
  3. Trying new recipes and incorporating special ingredients can enhance meals. Baking delicious treats adds joy and variety to the week.
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I've Stopped Eating Delicious Food Except for When I Eat Delicious Food

I'm Like You (but with a newsletter) • 78 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Healthy Eating Eating Habits Nutrition Food culture
  1. It's difficult to completely cut out delicious food from our diet, but being mindful of intake is important.
  2. Striking a balance between enjoying delicious food and maintaining a healthy diet can be a continuous challenge.
  3. Reflecting on how we feel after indulging in delicious food can help in moderating intake.

Say cheese

Lizzie Wrote This • 58 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Lifestyle Food culture Food history
  1. The author has a strong aversion to cheese, finding it repulsive and difficult to eat.
  2. Despite trying to accept some cheeses in small doses, the author's dislike of cheese remains deep-rooted.
  3. The author's aversion to cheese is seen as a unique part of their identity, sparking reflection on personal preferences and environmental impact.

Food Notes, Week 17.23

The Analog Family • 79 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Cooking Baking Meal Prep Food culture
  1. Baking was a big focus this week, with delicious treats like focaccia and macarons. It's fun to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen.
  2. Cooking helped create a variety of meals, with leftovers making lunchtime easy and enjoyable. Sharing meals with family made the week feel special.
  3. There was a mix of old favorites and new recipes, reminding us that food can bring joy and comfort. Trying different dishes keeps meal planning exciting.

How to build fast and roast a pig

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Food culture Social gatherings Food preparation
  1. Building projects fast is possible by starting early and working on parts of the design that are ready. Getting started ahead of schedule can really speed things up.
  2. It's helpful to keep teams small and include only the right people for design discussions. Having the right experts in the room leads to quicker and clearer decisions.
  3. It's important to document all the work you do and discussions you have. Recording everything helps keep track of progress and decisions made during the project.

What really drives food cravings

Julia Belluz • 10 implied HN points • 10 Sep 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Nutrition Health Impact Food Industry
  1. Food cravings are mostly due to a subconscious desire rather than just the pleasure of eating. It's about wanting to eat more than enjoying the taste itself.
  2. Cultural eating habits influence our relationship with food. In cultures that celebrate food as a social event, people tend to be healthier and eat less.
  3. Adding vitamins to processed foods could lead to overeating because they make the food seem more nutritious without actually being so. This might contribute to obesity and unhealthy eating patterns.

no. 58: all dressed

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture
  1. Food has become a significant cultural element in cities, replacing the role that music used to hold in drawing people out of their homes.
  2. The distinction between food as culture and food as commodity is determined by its ubiquity and the values it aligns with.
  3. The food industry has evolved to sell itself like fashion brands, focusing on values, viral hits, and product differentiation rather than traditional criteria like quantity or price.

🐟 Food Find Friday - Dec 22, 2023

Mister Branzino's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food news Food Trends Recipes Cookbooks Food culture
  1. Ikea is offering a limited-edition turkey-sized meatball, sparking interest for a unique holiday feast.
  2. McDonald's fries get their unique taste from adding beef flavoring in the oil, which can be recreated at home with beef tallow.
  3. Stews, like coq-au-vin, are highlighted as a delicious and satisfying meal option, perfect for holiday celebrations.

🐟 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.

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.

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.

Shabbat dinner and Waylon's return

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social life Food culture Workplace dynamics Mental health
  1. Feeling overwhelmed at work is common, but it helps to look at challenges with a positive mindset. One way to refocus is to remind yourself that you're doing well and that your team supports you.
  2. Building strong relationships with teammates can enhance productivity and create a positive work atmosphere. Someone who seems less confident may actually be excelling, so it's important to recognize everyone's contributions.
  3. Having a supportive environment, like a Shabbat dinner with friends, can recharge your spirit. Sharing meals and enjoying time together helps ease work stress and strengthens bonds.

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.

Jacket potatoes - a humbling story

The ZIPster • 17 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food history Food culture Recipes Food Industry Food Trends
  1. The author rediscovered the joy of a simple jacket potato meal and its history, showcasing how food preferences can change over time.
  2. Recipe boxes with step-by-step instructions can offer variety and reduce food waste, making meal preparation easier for those not fond of cooking.
  3. The story also touches on the evolution of food trends, from the humble jacket potato shops to modern gourmet takes on this classic dish, reflecting changing consumer preferences.

winning at the internet

let them eat cake • 159 implied HN points • 14 May 20
🍲 Food & Drink Restaurants Marketing Food Systems Food culture
  1. In the age of the internet, some argue that restaurants should transform into content creators to stay afloat, shifting focus away from creating food.
  2. Becoming successful independent restaurants used to involve creating a strong online presence as a marketing strategy, shifting focus from food and hospitality to internet competitiveness.
  3. For many restaurants, adapting to the challenges of the current landscape, like offering takeout, may not be enough to ensure profitability, and finding new ways to make food at a profit is crucial.

no. 40 knowing how it feels

let them eat cake • 99 implied HN points • 07 Feb 21
🍲 Food & Drink Culinary Traditions Cooking techniques Food culture
  1. Culinary traditions are being preserved through detailed cookbooks for various cuisines around the world, even those not typically documented in America.
  2. There is a debate about the best way to record recipes - detailed gram measurements can sometimes overshadow the intuitive 'feel' that experienced cooks rely on.
  3. Recipes serve as static records of dynamic dishes, capturing a moment in time but unable to fully encapsulate the evolving nature of traditional cooking styles.

The Haves and the Havents Part 5

Carefree Sketches • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 22
🍲 Food & Drink Food history Food culture
  1. Food preferences of the wealthy often have historical origins tied to times of scarcity or risk, where consuming aged or rare delicacies was a necessity that evolved into a symbol of extravagance.
  2. The pursuit of unique and potentially dangerous foods represents a delicate balance between risk and reward, highlighting the connection between life, death, and culinary indulgence.
  3. Food culture and gastronomic experiences are often shaped by historical challenges and reflective of societies where indulgence is a luxury reserved for the well-off.

What I ate for breakfast

Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble • 26 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Nutrition Healthy living Recipes Food culture
  1. The author's breakfast routine includes cottage cheese with sliced apple, pistachios, and granola leftovers.
  2. He values his morning routine, which includes phone-checking, a staple breakfast, and family interactions.
  3. While he acknowledges room for optimization, he emphasizes the importance of mindful habits and individual choices.

a collection of breakfasts

let them eat cake • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jul 19
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Recipes Dining Experience Food culture
  1. The Long Bar at Raffles Hotel in Singapore underwent significant changes through ownership shifts and renovations, resulting in a more sophisticated cocktail-making process.
  2. Breakfast in Singapore includes diverse dishes like _ham chim peng_, _mee pok tar_, and Teochew _kueh_, reflecting unique local flavors and culinary traditions.
  3. The writer's newsletter, 'let them eat cake,' focuses on food systems and is a free labor of love, aiming to develop a platform as a writer by engaging with readers through social media and encouraging support.

home cooking

let them eat cake • 59 implied HN points • 01 Oct 20
🍲 Food & Drink Home Cooking Food Industry Food culture
  1. Riverside County in California implemented a new bill allowing microenterprise home kitchen operations, potentially changing the food scene for self-employment and equitable employment.
  2. The bill aims to provide economic opportunities for groups like women, immigrants, and people of color by enabling home cooks to benefit independently from their labor.
  3. This bill shifts power away from large restaurant groups by empowering individual cooks to work for themselves and gain direct support from diners.

With bread all sorrows are less

let them eat cake • 99 implied HN points • 17 Apr 19
🍲 Food & Drink Bread Baking Food culture Sourdough
  1. Bread holds a deep significance in our culture and is often underrated in the food industry.
  2. Artisanal bakers have a unique optimism and passion for their craft, creating a different dynamic compared to elite chefs.
  3. The rise of artisanal bread baking reflects broader changes in American food culture, posing questions about human involvement in food production and the balance between tradition and innovation.

Make it hot

let them eat cake • 99 implied HN points • 06 Mar 19
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Ingredients Beverages Food culture Recipes
  1. Hot sauces like Tabasco have interesting cultural and historical backgrounds, often reflecting imperialism and globalization.
  2. Chili sauces in Southeast Asia serve as both condiments and staples, providing pleasure and balance through complex flavors.
  3. Differentiating between cultures that eat chilies versus those that eat hot sauce reveals diverse approaches to spiciness and flavors.

The local noodle vernacular

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 19
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Dining Experiences
  1. The author writes about the simplicity and charm of hawker food in Singapore, specifically focusing on the dish 'mee pok tah' that is humble yet delicious.
  2. The evolution of 'mee pok tah' and the choices made by hawkers reflect changing tastes, economic constraints, and a shift in cultural appreciation for traditional ingredients.
  3. Despite changes in hawker food over time, the essence and authenticity of dishes like 'mee pok tah' continue to hold cultural significance and spark discussions about preserving heritage in food culture.

Victims of taxonomy

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 04 Apr 19
🍲 Food & Drink Food Systems Restaurants Food culture
  1. Restaurants often feel the pressure to fit into specific classifications to survive in the industry.
  2. Customer expectations sometimes lead restaurants to prioritize authenticity over flavor or quality.
  3. The American restaurant landscape tends to simplify and categorize eateries, potentially limiting creativity and variety.

#42: Room for discovery

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 20
📚 Literature Books Publishing Writing Food culture Management
  1. A book can be interesting to many types of readers, not just one specific audience. It can appeal to people who enjoy high-end cuisine or want to know more about restaurant culture.
  2. People often wonder why traditional ways of running businesses don't work well anymore. Understanding new hiring and goal-setting methods can help create better workplaces.
  3. Publishing is tricky because books often have to fit into one category. This can make it hard for unique books to reach the right readers.

hummus and clams

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Dining Cooking Food culture Food Trends
  1. Hummus can be made in different ways, and experimenting with ingredients like cashews can make it better. Adding more salt, lemon juice, and garlic can enhance the flavor significantly.
  2. Staying busy at work can help improve your mood, and sometimes taking on extra tasks can make the day feel better. It's interesting how work can distract from bad feelings.
  3. Relying on metrics alone to judge work performance may not show the whole picture. Good code quality is important, but sometimes fixing bugs can fulfill daily goals even if the initial work wasn't great.