Fun facts and fascinating trivia about historical, bygone, and modern foods for people who love eating food.

Chew on This

Old Stuff

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/italian-pasta-facts/setareh-janda">spaghetti and meatballs</a> -&nbsp;who doesn’t love a plate of comfort food? Yet, just because a food is well loved does not mean its story is widely known. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/food-facts-wh-2022/melissa-sartore">Like any other dish</a>, comfort foods have their own stories.&nbsp;What classic diner dinner actually began life as a breakfast meal? When did people start eating chocolate in bar form? And what does a distinguished literary titan have to do with Sloppy Joes? These comfort foods are filled with delectable surprises.

Things We Never Knew About Our Favorite Comfort Foods

Food

Setareh Janda

Food History

If you could bottle up an extreme sport, it might taste something like an energy drink. Typically packed with caffeine and sugar, the drinks promise to jolt consumers awake and keep them running for hours at a time. &nbsp;While beverages like Red Bull or Monster have been in the American market for only a few decades, the roots of the modern-day energy drink lie in Asia, where they filled a purpose in the postwar labor market.In Europe and North America, energy drinks have taken on a life of their own, thanks to extreme marketing tactics that have paired the potables with young partygoers and athletes. But popularity does not always equal safety, and concerns over these products persist.&nbsp;From 5-hour Energy to Four Loko -&nbsp;which, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-happened-to-zima/erin-mccann">like 1990s darling Zima</a>, had only a brief moment in the sun -&nbsp;caffeinated energy drinks have electrified the beverage market, one tall boy at a time.

Things We Didn't Know About The Rise Of Energy Drinks

General

Part of the fun of traveling is stuffing your face with the cuisines and treats of the locals. These lists rank the most delicious, must-try foods wherever you'll be.

Food Around the World

Places/Travel

If you want to get to know another country, check out its food laws, which determine everything from what products are available on store shelves to how and where people can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pictures-of-food-from-other-countries/will-morgan-1">enjoy a meal</a>.Some countries have very strict regulations about the food people can consume, taking into consideration everything from nutrition to the safety of the ingredients. As a result, these nations may limit the availability of certain products to promote healthy consumption or cultural eating habits. What is considered safe in the US may not be considered that way elsewhere.The act of consuming food links every human on earth -&nbsp;but, just like every person <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/food-rules-have-to-follow/will-morgan-1">abides by their own food rules</a>, every country enacts laws that reflect its own values, tastes, and needs.&nbsp;

Laws And Rules About Food In Other Countries

Weird History

Whether spoken or implied, people often have a set of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/food-rules-have-to-follow/will-morgan-1">food rules they live by</a>. We learn from a young age to not throw our food, share our meals with &nbsp;animals, or play with the veggies, fruits, and proteins on our plates. However, these same rules that seem pretty standard when it comes to dinnertime etiquette sometimes get completely thrown into the metaphorical food waste bin when it comes to festivals.&nbsp;Because food brings people together in social settings and sets the tone <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pictures-of-food-from-other-countries/will-morgan-1">for many cultural identities</a>, festival attendees around the world love celebrating it any way they can, whether bizarre, fun, outrageous, or a mix of all three.&nbsp;

Food Festivals From All Over The World That We Just Learned Exist

Food Festivals From All Over The World

Lauren Glen

Though we eat out of necessity, the evolution of the way food is prepared and served has also made it an incredibly enjoyable experience that we look forward to every few hours. And while we often sit down to enjoy a home-cooked dinner inspired by our favorite TV chefs, run through the drive-thru to get a hearty meal from our favorite<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-fast-food-founders/tracey-graham"> fast-food joint</a>, or get dressed to celebrate an occasion at our favorite restaurant, we rarely stop to consider exactly how the foods we love ended up on our plates.&nbsp;Innovative chefs, foodies, and entrepreneurs paved the way for us to fully savor our food. If you've ever wondered how an unconventional taco stop became America's favorite<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-taco-bell/setareh-janda"> fast-food Mexican</a> obsession, preparing meals made its way from the subject of recipe books to standard cable programming, or who the inventors and chefs were behind some of America's most beloved comfort foods, this list is for you.&nbsp;

People We Never Realized Shaped How We Eat

Person

If you had to pick your favorite dessert, what would it be? Cake? Pie? Maybe some cookies? There's no lack of options when it comes to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-candy/setareh-janda">sweet treats </a>to end a meal, and preferences vary due to all kinds of factors.One aspect of desserts that may not weigh on your mind when eating them is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/desserts-around-the-world/jordan-love">where they come from.</a> The origins of many desserts are tricky to parse out, but theories and lore make <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-but-true-food-history-facts/genevieve-carlton">learning about them</a> all the more interesting. Where several goodies got their starts are well-known, making us want to say “thank you” to the person who invented the dessert we know and love. In other cases, we don't know who specifically to thank, but we're still grateful.Here are the origins of some of our favorite desserts. Take a look and decide which ones take the cake!

Surprising Origins Of 12 Of Our Favorite Desserts - With A Cherry On Top

Melissa Sartore

People worldwide have enjoyed various fried foods for centuries. Deep-frying is thought to date back to ancient Egyptian times; the process was meant to help preserve foods. And the invention of the frying pan has been credited to ancient Mesopotamians.The origin of many <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fries-around-the-world/ashley-reign">fried foods</a> might come as a surprise. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/incorrect-national-dishes/melissa-sartore">For example</a>, tempura is recognized as Japanese, but it was actually introduced by Portuguese missionaries. The Italian fried rice balls known as arancini were invented in Sicily thanks to influential Arabs. And despite its name, the origin of the Scotch egg does not have a connection to Scotland.&nbsp;These are just a few facts about fried foods' origins you'll discover in this list. Vote up the most tastily surprising ones!

12 Things We Didn't Know About The History Of Fried Foods

Things We Didn't Know About Fried Foods

TGWrites

The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/food-related-red-flags/will-morgan-1">food and beverage</a> industry is a tricky one. For something that's so essential to human life - eating and drinking - it's still difficult to create and market a successful product. That's to be expected. Eating and drinking are highly personal acts, and creating a product that appeals to millions of people takes exhaustive work.Occasionally, some companies beat the odds and introduce an edible or potable that connects with the public. It's more likely, however, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/gross-fast-food-menu-items/isadora-teich">that such products will fail</a>, even with the expertise and marketing budget of a multinational corporation. But even if they do fail to justify their production costs, that doesn't mean these foods and beverages fail to connect with anyone. Even the least successful innovations tend to appeal to some people.Here are 12 discontinued flavors that may deserve another shot - vote up your favorites!

Discontinued Flavors We Wish We Could Taste Again

Jim Rowley

According to recent statistics, it's been determined that on any given day, about 50 million people in the US consume fast food from places like Burger King, McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Wendy's. Unsurprisingly, the value of the global fast food market is expected to reach an astonishing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://eatpallet.com/fast-food-statistics/#:~:text=67%25%20of%20fast%2Dfood%20restaurant,4.6%25%20from%202020%20to%202027.">$931.7 billion by 2027</a>.&nbsp;Yet, despite so many people consuming fast foods on a daily basis, not many people know much about the food they are ingesting from takeaway establishments. There are numerous <a href=" https://www.ranker.com/list/unsettling-fast-food-facts/melissa-sartore">surprising facts about fast food </a>items that many people don't know, which is why we've shared them.&nbsp;Some of these facts might be gross and disturbing, while others might be something you would expect from a fast-food restaurant. Either way, you'll learn more than you knew before after looking at our list, so vote up the items that are news to you.

Surprising Facts About Fast Food Items We Can't Believe We're Just Learning

Jason F. Collins

Then & Now

The 1990s was the era of grunge, independent films, and the dawning of the world wide web, but what was it like at the grocery store? For generations, people have commented on the rising cost of groceries, but when factoring in inflation, some items are actually cheaper today than they were in the 1990s. Food prices in 1990 were often similar to today&#39;s prices - which one would hope for since it wasn&#39;t all that long ago - though some items have actually come down in price in the past 30 years.

Have you ever wondered, &ldquo;how much was a loaf of bread in the 1990s?&rdquo; How about the price of eggs? This list will break down <a href="http://https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=12&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjL-JT44NnoAhWQhJ4KHatpA1cQFjALegQIBxAB&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fnaldc.nal.usda.gov%2Fdownload%2FCAT91960192%2FPDF&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LzA_fIuaI7cfmaiGusyVK" target="_blank">1990 food prices</a> by listing the average price back then, the 1990 price factoring in inflation &ndash; using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&#39;s <a href="https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=0.60&amp;year1=199001&amp;year2=202003" target="_blank">inflation calculator</a> &ndash; and today&#39;s cost for the same items.

Vote up the grocery store items that you think have the best 2020 value and vote down any food that you&#39;d rather go back in time to purchase.

How Much Grocery Store Items Cost In 1990 Vs. 2020

Jude Newsome

Hamburger Helper is a pretty recognizable brand that's been a<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/staple-foods-90s-facts/melissa-sartore"> staple food</a> for decades. From the mascot to the plethora of flavors on store shelves, Hamburger Helper has adapted and expanded so much over the years that it now goes by Helper to make room for everything the brand has come to include. And we don't want to dismiss the flavors and versions of Helper that have come <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/discontinued-foods-brought-back/anncasano">and gone</a> over the years.&nbsp;But how much do you really know about Helper? The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nostalgia-food-recollections/alyssa-mariano">childhood favorite</a> we couldn't get enough of is full of interesting facts that we'd give at least a high-four (for Lefty, of course), if not a full-on high-five. Vote up the facts about Helper you're pretty excited about, too.&nbsp;

Hamburger Helper Facts That Deserve A High-Four (Or -Five)

Facts About Hamburger Helper

Lists about all the fun things happening in the kitchen.

What's Cooking, Good Looking?

Influential

Bon App&eacute;tit! Ever wonder who the most influential chefs of all time are? Sure, super chefs Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, and other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-tv-chef_s)/reference" target="_blank">famous TV chefs</a> can be considered some of the best, but are they&nbsp;the most influential? Maybe for their time, yet they may be nowhere when it comes to cooking if it wasn't for some of the top world chefs before them. In other words, the chefs to follow were largely important in creating and exploring a great deal of dishes and cuisines, changing the way chefs&nbsp;approach food, as well as how we eat.&nbsp;While many of these <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-male-chefs/reference" target="_blank">renown chefs</a> still grace the world with their delicious plates, others have since passed, leaving their great contributions behind for all of us to enjoy. From Frenchman Alexis Soyer to the award-winning Thomas Keller, these important chefs had a huge influence on a broad range of dishes, and they set the standard for chefs across the world. But who's the most influential chef ever?Check out the list of top chefs in history below and be sure to vote up whoever you think had the greatest influence on food as we know it today. You can also vote chefs down and add any missing ones to the list.&nbsp;

The Most Influential Chefs of All Time

The 37 Most Influential Chefs of All Time, Ranked

Chef Jen

Avocado toast, goat cheese, alternative meat dishes - these are all what we'd consider <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/21st-century-food-fads-to-avoid/carly-kiel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">21st century food trends</a>.But did you know the bases of these dishes have been around a long time? In some cases, thousands of years?&nbsp;Our ancient human ancestors were no different from us <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/elizabethan-era-food/emily-mast">in wanting tasty dishes</a>, so they created some of the staple recipes that we take for granted today. From pancakes to pot pie to popcorn, different people in various pockets of the world were responsible for creating (or stumbling upon) some of our favorite foods today.&nbsp;So which food do you think will be the oldest? Read on to find out.&nbsp;

Dishes That Are Much Older Than We Realized

Surprisingly Ancient Meals

Emily Mast

Great design tickles a certain place in your brain when you see it. And unfortunately, impractical design has the opposite effect - probably annoying you far more than it should. Add hunger into the mix, and you can get some really strong emotions (and perhaps <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-food-myths/setareh-janda">mistaken beliefs</a>) tied to how food is packaged.&nbsp;Sometimes, logical <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historians-answer-questions-about-food/setareh-janda">reasons</a> exist for what seem to be frustrating package designs. (Who knew that air in chip bags served a purpose?) On the other hand, you might be disappointed to find out that some of the biggest grievances in the snacking product design world come down to a company being stuck in its ways - and not really wanting to innovate. (Here's looking at you, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/food-facts-rethink-what-we-eat/melissa-sartore">hot dog industry</a>.)&nbsp;Vote up the designs that make the most sense.

The Actual Reasons Food Is Packaged The Way It Is

Why Food Is Packaged A Certain Way

Some foods trigger <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-food-that-makes-the-rest-of-the-world-gag/will-morgan-1">unequivocal American pride</a> - the hot dog, hamburger, macaroni and cheese, apple pie. So you might be surprised that these and other “American” foods were, in fact, created elsewhere. Sometimes they were even popular in other countries, but the US eventually seemed to take credit for the culinary invention. Serving as a melting pot of cultures, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ethnic-foods-invented-in-america/lauren-glen">United States has long taken traditional foods</a> from other countries and put its own spin on them.Although these foods are not any less tasty because they're not American-bred, you might hesitate the next time a friend asks if you want to get some “American” grub. &nbsp;

Foods We Thought Were American But Were Actually Invented Somewhere Else

'American' Foods That Were Invented Elsewhere

Every <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/each-state-essential-food/melissa-sartore">state has a food</a> it is known for, and we often take pride in claiming that our home makes some of the best barbecue, seafood, or pies in the nation. Still, when Ranker asked readers which food they could eat for the rest of their lives, Chinese food, spaghetti, burritos, and sushi were some of the dishes that ranked at the very top of the list. Part of what makes these foods so appealing is that they seem special, helping us feel like we are experiencing ethnic foods without having to leave home. Are we really, though?&nbsp;It turns out that some of our very favorite “ethnic” foods actually originated right here in our own country. While a few resemble dishes from their supposed countries, others were conceptualized entirely in the United States. This list exposes the fascinating, real, and very American origins of some of our very favorite “ethnic” dishes.

Foods Americans Think Are Ethnic But Were Actually Invented In The States

Food lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of food lists and rankings.

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Food lists on Ranker

Foods lists on Ranker

Five Guys

Chick-fil-A

Wendy's

Potato

Sweet corn

Green bean

McDonald's

Arby's

Thank U Berry Munch

Vote up your favorite types of cookies, biscuits, and snacks.

Cookie Time

Girl Scout Cookies

&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-store-bought-cookies" target="_blank">best store-bought cookies</a> in the world don&#39;t hold a candle to the delightful cookies available during a painfully short window of the year known as Girl Scout cookie season. Girl Scout cookies are so good they&#39;ve even been included in the world&#39;s <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-ice-cream-flavors">most delicious ice cream flavors</a>, but in reality, they&#39;re just a tease, available for a limited time every year when we debate what the greatest Girl Scout cookie variety is. Here are also <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-were-girl-scouts/marc-cuenco">famous celebrities who used to be Girl Scouts</a> as well as <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-were-boy-scouts/marc-cuenco">celebrity former Boy Scouts</a>.&nbsp;

Girl Scout Cookies are an American favorite, but there has been much debate as to which flavor of cookie is best. Tagalongs? Thin Mints? Samoas? Finally the age-old question can be put to rest with your votes! If you want to know what the top Girl Scout cookies are, this is the place to cast your vote along with other Thin Mint devotees and Samoas supporters.

What is the greatest Girl Scout cookie? What are the different types of Girl Scout cookies? This list of top Girl Scout cookie varieties is here to help you know all there is to know about the most delicious cookies on the planet. Make sure to vote for your favorite Girl Scout cookies and vote down the ones you&#39;re not as fond of. And make sure to have a delicious day.

&nbsp;

Lemon Chalet Cremes

The Most Delicious Girl Scout Cookies, Ranked

List of The 20+ Most Delicious Girl Scout Cookies of All Time

Ranker Community

Lists about everything from the best burger toppings to the most unbelievable things to ever happen inside fast food restaurants. 

Beep Beep It's Fast Food

poll

The best french fries come in all shapes, sizes and seasonings as they are served up by the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-fast-food-brands" target="_blank">top fast food chains</a> daily. These greasy, salty potato sticks are the perfect accompaniment to a nice cheeseburger, with chicken strips or in some cases, even with a taco or two. Which fast food restaurant has the best french fries? That&#39;s often a matter of opinion but if nothing else, the battle for the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-fast-food-brands?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best fast food</a> fries is a fierce one.

In the traditional sense, McDonald&#39;s french fries are a classic favorite with their crispy outside and warm and steamy inside. But there are plenty of others right on their tail. Wendy&#39;s Natural Cut Fries and In-n-Out&#39;s shoestring french fries are favorites as well.

For those who like a bit more flavor, there is another competition brewing among the Cajun fry makers. Arby&#39;s is known for their spiced curly fries, Rally&#39;s and Checker&#39;s have their seasoned fries and Five Guys provides ample taste and quantity with their Cajun fries. Even Popeye&#39;s Chicken puts out a pretty mean Cajun fries which battles the KFC potato wedges among fried chicken lovers.

Similarly, another trend recently in the french fry world is the introduction of sweet potato fries. Both Carl&#39;s Jr. and Burger King have introduced sweet potato fries recently though some only for a limited time, with mixed results.

So whether you enjoy the crispy straight fries, waffle fries, crinkle-cut fries, those curly fries with the perfect amount of cajun seasoning or even sweet potato fries, there&#39;s sure to be the perfect french fries out there for you somewhere to enjoy with your <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-fast-food-burgers" target="_blank">favorite fast food burger</a>. Which french fries do you enjoy best? Vote for your favorites or re-rank this list your way, all below.

The Best Fast Food French Fries

The Best Fast Food French Fries, Ranked By Foodies

Ready for a real health hack that will give you results you've never dreamed possible? It's easy: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." (-Michael Pollan) Vote for your faves.

Rabbit Food

List of the best vegetables, ranked by people like you. Veggies are the most versatile, most sustainable food source on the planet. Thank goodness they also taste awesome and there are endless options of ways you can prepare them. Which are your faves? Everyone has their personal favorite vegetables, but we bet we can all come to a consensus of the best of the best. Vote for your top vegetable choices, or re-rank you own list. Make sure to add anything you see missing.

Mushroom

The Tastiest Vegetables Everyone Loves Eating

The Most Popular Vegetables | List of the Best Veggies

Go-To Restaurant Chains

Restaurants

This list includes famous restaurant chains from throughout the United States. Restaurant chains offer a familiarity through their decor and menu throughout all of their locations. As such, they tend to be most popular in areas where one would find travelers or tourists. From fast food, to drive-thrus, and even some <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-top-bar-and-grill-restaurant-chains/restaurant-chains">sit-down franchises</a>, there are a variety of restaurants on this list, each serving different international cuisines or their own takes on American classics.The idea of chain restaurants is widely credited to Harland Sanders, more famously known as "Colonel Sanders." By "franchising" out his secret recipe, restaurants that served his food had an advantage as travelers knew what to expect. His restaurant, KFC, is now one of the largest in the world. Today, nearly every cuisine imaginable has a restaurant chain attached to it.Vote up your favorite chain restaurants below, or vote down those you'll never go back to again. Looking for more of a sweet treat? Check out lists of the Best Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Chains.&nbsp;Cook up some mediocre Italian food at home using this list of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/olive-garden-recipes/shutup-barry">Olive Garden recipes</a>, and take a look at other delicious lists like, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-japanese-foods/ranker-food">Best Japanese Foods</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-brain-foods/ranker-food">Best Brain Foods</a>.