A woman in Tokyo died and six others were hospitalized after choking on mochi, a traditional Japanese rice cake eaten during New Year celebrations. The incident highlights the ongoing risk of mochi choking, especially among the elderly, with authorities advising caution when consuming the chewy treat. Historically, mochi has been linked to multiple fatalities and hospitalizations in Japan, prompting safety tips such as chewing slowly and cutting the cake into small pieces.
The article highlights nine exceptional champagnes to celebrate New Year's Eve, emphasizing their rich histories, unique flavors, and the role of champagne in marking special occasions and new beginnings.
A Florida farm and an online grocery startup, Misfits Market, are addressing the issue of food waste caused by grocery stores rejecting imperfect produce, with the latter buying and selling such produce at a discount, helping reduce waste and improve access to affordable, healthy food.
To make clear ice at home, use the technique of directional freezing by insulating the water container to force freezing in one direction, which pushes impurities to one side. This method results in denser, slower-melting, and visually appealing clear ice, unlike the cloudy ice produced by conventional freezing methods. You can achieve this with simple household items like an insulated cooler or commercial clear ice trays, and then cut away the cloudy part to reveal clear ice for your drinks.
Noche Buena is a traditional Mexican Bock-style beer, only available during the Christmas season within Mexico, and is deeply associated with holiday celebrations and traditional dishes, with a history dating back to 1938 and created as a special seasonal brew by German brewers.
The article explores various warm winter cocktail recipes beyond the traditional hot toddy, including twists on mulled wine, Irish coffee, and nonalcoholic options, highlighting the creative possibilities for bartenders during the colder months.
Rising costs, especially a 30-cent increase in masa price to $1.99 per pound, are making Christmas tamale traditions more expensive amid broader economic challenges, though some vendors are maintaining steady prices to support families.
In Tokyo, a unique coffee omakase experience offers a six-course, luxurious coffee tasting menu in an exclusive, reservation-only setting, showcasing Japan's deep love for caffeine.
The UK and South Korea have signed a new trade agreement to boost exports of cars, salmon, Guinness, and other goods, reducing tariffs and easing rules for car parts, while also expanding opportunities for UK service providers and digital trade. The deal aims to increase economic growth and strengthen the UK’s position in global trade.
Hanna Lee, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, became the first American to win the 'Young Cheesemonger of the Year' at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland, where she showcased her expertise in cheese identification, pairing, and presentation. She emphasizes curiosity, customer engagement, and tasting experience as key traits for cheesemongers, and offers advice on creating cheese boards for holidays and budget-friendly options.
Colorado breweries excelled at the GABF awards, winning 40 medals including three 'brewery of the year' titles across various categories, showcasing the state's diverse and high-quality craft beer scene.
The 2025 Great American Beer Festival in Denver showcased winners across 108 beer categories, highlighting popular styles like IPAs and lagers, with new categories reflecting evolving trends. Awards were given in various beer and cider styles, with breweries of different sizes recognized as Brewery of the Year and Cidermaker of the Year.
Arby's is launching a first-of-its-kind steak nugget product nationwide, offering tender, seasoned steak pieces in various menu formats, available from October 6 for a limited time.
Coffee experts recommend investing in quality tools like reusable K-cups, a good grinder, precise scales, pour-over brewers, and temperature-controlled kettles to achieve café-quality coffee at home, emphasizing the importance of water quality, proper technique, and equipment for the best results.
Fet-Fisk, a Nordic-inspired restaurant in Pittsburgh, was named one of the 20 best new restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appétit in 2025, highlighting its innovative menu and community focus, while Wildweed in Cincinnati also received recognition on the list.
