Champagne vinegar and white wine vinegar are both made from wines and might seem essentially the same, but they have some important differences. If you intend to cook French food regularly, keeping both kinds on hand for different applications is a good idea. How do these two kinds of wine …
Shoyu and miso are both made from fermenting soybeans and other grains. They share a history that connects them to Ancient Chinese jiang, a soy paste. In the centuries since the invention of jiang, it made its way to Japan, where shoyu and miso have become key ingredients in that …
Few spices pair as well as coriander and cumin. With flavors that complement each other so beautifully, it’s no wonder that these two spices are often used together. Not only does this dynamic duo play a starring role in various dishes, but it’s not unusual for one of these spices …
Red and white miso are both made from a mix of grain and soybean that have been fermented. Both kinds are essential for Japanese cooking and have also been integrated into some Western dishes to different extents. Each miso brings its specific qualities to food. Let’s see how they compare. …
Peppercorn medley and black pepper both contain black peppercorns in different forms, and they are also typically found in the same part of a grocery store’s spice aisle. Aside from their similarities, there are some dramatic differences between the two products. Which should you get if you can get only …
Vegetable shortening and butter are two of the classic baking fats. Shortening and butter are used in many of the same applications; each has been deemed healthier than the other at different points in history. Is one more versatile than the other? Can one completely replace the other? Let’s see …
Sea salt and iodized salt are two versions of the same universal seasoning. Sea salt refers to salt harvested from the sea that does not contain iodine; iodized salt refers to any salt with iodine added, including iodized sea salt and iodized table salt. Despite being similar in many ways, …
Genovese basil and Thai basil are both cultivars of the same basil herb. The fact that they share a common ancestor means that they have some of the same characteristics. Do you need both in your spice cabinet? Can one stand in for the other? We answer those questions and …