While M&M’s weren’t the first candy to be produced by Mars, Inc., they’re definitely one of the most popular. In fact, the iconic ‘m’ stamped in the middle of each candy was to make sure customers could differentiate them from copycats. M&M’s were also the first candy in space, chosen by the shuttle astronauts as part of their food supply.

Why did M&M’s update their characters?

M&M’s frequently updates their characters or “spokescandies”, and the latest update came as recently as January 2022. The update was subtle: Green’s go-go boots were changed to sneakers, Brown’s heels were shortened, Orange’s laces were tied, and the other colors had small updates made to their shoes. According to CNN, the change was made in an attempt to make the characters—particularly the female ones like Green and Brown—more “current” and represent their consumers better.

Why are M&M’s called M&M’s?

It comes from the last names of the candy company’s founders, Forrest Mars and William Murrie. The name has stayed the same since the candy was introduced in 1941. Of course, the packaging has changed considerably since.

Do M&M’s taste different because of their color?

The classic milk chocolate M&M’s have the same formula for each piece of candy: a hard, colorful candy shell with a milk chocolate filling. The candy shells aren’t color-coded according to flavor, so each piece should taste exactly the same—though of course, many M&M’s have different centers. With Peanut, Pretzel and even M&M’s Mix Packs, it’s a hard decision to make!

Why do Mini M&M’S taste better?

This one is a question with no real answer, because the ingredients are the exact same in both regular-sized M&M’s and Mini M&M’s. However, the Sustainable Nano blog did some in-depth research and concluded that it’s because the candy-to-chocolate ratio is higher for Mini M&M’s, making them sweeter. It’s definitely one of the more interesting facts about M&M’s we’ve come across! If you prefer a higher chocolate-to-candy ratio, we recommend the Crispy M&M’s Chocolate Spread.

How many M&M’S are in a Fun Size bag?

Every Fun Size bag of M&M’s weighs in at approximately 0.47 ounces, but with production differences, you’re not likely to have the exact same amount of M&M’s in every pack. The internet is divided on the subject, with counts coming in anywhere from 17 to 22 pieces per pack.

The largest M&M ever made

Did you know that there was once a giant M&M sweet that weighed a whopping 70 pounds? It was created in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the sweet in 2016, and it was displayed at the M&M’s World store in Times Square, New York City. The giant M&M was about the size of a basketball, and it was made up of thousands of individual M&M’s that were carefully arranged by a team of sweet artists. The candy shell was made of red, yellow, and brown M&M’s, while the filling was made of blue, green, and orange M&M’s.

The Club Sandwich is king of sandwiches with 3 types of meat and 3 slices of bread, the club sandwich is hard to beat. A deli and diner classic, this tower-high sandwich is all too easy to make at home once you get your hands on all the ingredients. This classic sandwich is comprised of 3 types of meat (ham, turkey, and bacon), lettuce, tomato, and cheddar, all layered between 3 slices of toasted bread. While the stacking may seem tedious, trust us—it’s what makes this sandwich absolutely packed with flavor. The order of stacking is important and traditional, so stick with it if you’re looking to make the classic club!

Ingredients

• 6 pieces sliced bread
• Butter, softened
• 6 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• Romaine lettuce
• 4 tomato slices
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 pieces bacon, cooked
• 1 thick slice cheddar
• 4 slices turkey
• 4 slices ham

Step 1 : Toast the bread slices

Step 2 : Start by spreading mayonnaise over all the toasted bread slices. Now, layer turkey, tomato and cheese over bread. Next, add cheese, ham, bacon and lettuce. Place a bread slice and close the sandwich.

Step 3 : Finally, secure with toothpicks and cut into 4 triangles. You can serve this club sandwich with French fries, chips, dills, potato salad or a light salad.

Step 4 : Pair it with an iced tea

1) It’s frontloaded with essential nutrients

At just 46 calories per cup, watermelon packs a punch when it comes to nutrients. It contains about 15% of your daily vitamin C needs, along with a wealth of other vitamins and minerals including potassium and vitamin A and B6, Sollid says. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and helps the body absorb iron, Derocha says, while vitamin A is crucial for skin and eye health. Watermelon is also rich in potassium, which works to lower blood pressure and supports nerve functioning, and vitamin B6, which helps the body break down the proteins that you eat and also boosts the immune system and nerve function.

2) It offers a big dose of lycopene

Lycopene is a natural compound found in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables that has antioxidant properties. The substance is also what gives watermelon its red color; but beyond its hue, lycopene is also good for you, too. Meyer-Jax says it has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye disorders. Lycopene works to protect your cells from damage, Sollid says, and research suggests that it may have blood pressure-lowering effects when consumed regularly through dietary means.

3) Watermelon helps keeps you hydrated

Watermelon is composed of more than 90% water. “As the name implies, watermelon can keep you hydrated,” Derocha explains. “We get 80% of hydration from what we drink and 20% from what we eat; watermelon can definitely help with this balanced intake.” Most adults don’t drink enough water and  hydration is particularly important in the summertime, when temperatures rise and you may lose fluids from sweating. Meyer-Jax recommends eating watermelon sprinkled with a little salt after a workout or when you’ve been sweating for a long period of time. “The combination of carbohydrates and salt is ideal for replenishing lost electrolytes and carbohydrate stores,” she says.

4) It adds to healthy digestion

Watermelon contains a high water content and a small amount of fiber. “Both are key to keeping digestion moving smoothly,” Meyer-Jax says. Fiber adds bulk to your stool and keeps you regular, while water helps move waste through your digestive system.

5) It could help with weight management

Choosing watermelon over another sweet snack can help you feel full longer, Meyer-Jax explains. Limited research published in the journal Nutrients in 2019 found that subjects who were considered overweight or clinically obese and ate watermelon instead of low-fat cookies experienced greater satiety, as an example. Eating watermelon daily was associated with a decrease in subjects’ body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and waist circumference.

In most of the world, a Mars bar is a chocolate bar with nougat and caramel, coated with milk chocolate. In the United States, it is marketed as the Milky Way bar.

1932 : The original MARS bars were made by hand, marking the start of the very first chapter of the iconic candy bars. The Mars Bar was originally produced in Slough, England in 1932. Almost 90 years later, the same factory continues to produce Mars bars for the UK. They can make nearly three million bars a day.

1939-1945 :  Despite sweets rationing and a gold ink shortage during World War II, MARS bars were successfully distributed to troops in the UK and prisoners of war in Germany from 1939 to 1945.

1972 : The real party began when MARS Fun Size arrived on the scene in 1972.

1987 : Mars opens a new Canada facility in Newmarket, Ontario. Mars Bars begin production a year later. All Canadian Mars Bars continue to be produced in their Newmarket factory to this day.

1989 : A new way to enjoy MARS comes to our stores in 1989, and it’s cold. Ice cold. Welcome MARS Ice Cream!

First reports of Mars bars coated with batter and deep-fried being sold in Stonehaven, Scotland date back to 1995. Mars says that it is “not authorised or endorsed”. Deep-fried Mars bars are available from some fish-and-chip shops in the UK (mainly in Scotland), Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and the United States.

Twix is a caramel shortbread chocolate bar made by Mars, Inc., consisting of a biscuit applied with other confectionery toppings and coatings (most frequently caramel and milk chocolate). Twix are packaged with one (mini and snack sizes), two or four bars (king size) in a wrapper.

The product was first produced in the United Kingdom in 1967, and it was introduced in the United States in 1979. The name is a portmanteau of “twin sticks”. Twix was called Raider in mainland Europe for many years before its name was changed in 1991 (2000 in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Turkey) to match the international brand name. The Raider brand was resurrected for retro editions sold in Germany in 2009, in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2015, and Switzerland in late 2023.

Twix bars for the North American market are made in Cleveland, Tennessee, along with M&M’s. For global markets like Europe and Africa are produced in Veghel, the Netherlands alongside Mars bars and other Mars, Incorporated chocolates.

The following flavours are available in the United States of America.

• Twix Original
• Twix Salted Caramel
• Twix Cookies & Creme
• Twix Ice Cream Bar
• Twix 100 Calories
• Twix Cookie Dough

In 2012, Twix launched the “Pick a Side” campaign. The advertising campaign introduced a rivalry between the two “sides” of the Twix bar. Each Twix bar was given its own distinct packaging, being labelled as either a “Right Twix” or a “Left Twix”, although both sides are identical. Ten years later, in 2022, a new campaign that replaced the previous one finally put this rivalry to rest by explicitly clarifying that both bars are identical. The new tagline reflecting this states, “Left or Right, a good decision either way.”

The largest fast food chains in the world, based on the number of locations and global presence, include:

1. McDonald’s: Known for its hamburgers, fries, and iconic golden arches, McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain in the world with over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
2. Subway: Specializing in submarine sandwiches (subs) and salads, Subway has approximately 37,000 locations worldwide, making it one of the largest fast food chains globally.
3. Starbucks: While primarily known for its coffee, Starbucks also offers a variety of fast food items such as sandwiches and pastries. It has over 34,000 locations worldwide.
4. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken): Known for its fried chicken, KFC has more than 24,000 locations in around 150 countries.
5. Burger King: Famous for its flame-grilled burgers, Burger King has over 18,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
6. Pizza Hut: Known for its pizzas, Pizza Hut operates over 18,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
7. Domino’s Pizza: Specializing in pizza delivery and takeout, Domino’s has over 17,000 locations in more than 90 countries.
8. Dunkin’: Known for its donuts and coffee, Dunkin’ has over 12,000 locations in more than 40 countries.
9. Taco Bell: Famous for its Mexican-inspired menu, Taco Bell has over 7,000 locations, primarily in the United States, but also in other countries.
10. Wendy’s: Known for its square hamburgers and Frosty desserts, Wendy’s has over 6,800 locations worldwide.

These chains have achieved their massive scale through a combination of franchising, strong brand recognition, and consistent menu offerings that appeal to a broad audience.

Momo are probably of Tibetan origin. The name “momo” is derived from the Tibetan term “mog mog”. Momo are a type of South Asian dumplings that are hugely popular throughout the region. Momo are basically dough wrapped around stuffed vegetables or meat. These can be cooked in various ways- but are most commonly steamed.

It is not clear how momo invaded India, but it probably became popular with the influx of Tibetans in India. On the other hand, momo are extremely popular in Nepal, and a theory also says that it was the Newar merchants of Kathmandu who brought the recipe from Tibet during their trades. From there, momo spread far and wide.

Originally, momo were made only from meat- more specifically- yak meat, as vegetables were scarce in the cold and rocky Himalayan regions of Tibet. But when the dish gained popularity in India, vegetable momo came into being to suit the taste of vegetarian Hindus of North India. Still, momo remain a mostly meat dish- though instead of yak meat, chicken is used as it is cheap and cooks easily.

Momo are very popular in Eastern India. West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam all have their own local varieties. They are not only common street food but are often made at home. Ladakh and Dharamshala, which are home to a substantial number of people of Tibetan origin, are also well known for their variety of momo.

Momo are considered a traditional delicacy in Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Assam and north Bengal. Recipes are often passed down via generations. They are often served with a hot and red chilly sauce and accompanied with clear meat soup.

Thanks to India’s love for food- and knack for adapting tasty stuff into local cuisine, you can also get seafood momo in most restaurants. These are mostly stuffed with shrimps. Similarly, you can also get paneer momo that appeals to vegetarians.

It is common knowledge that the best momo are those that are available on the street corners and small shops. While almost every Indian restaurant serves momo, you bet you can find the same – or better- taste for a smaller price at a nearby momo stall.

Momo are mostly steamed. The traditional momo steamer is called a mucktoo. It is a metal utensil with holes at the base. In many places, bamboo steamers are also used.

The biggest donut chain restaurants in the world, based on the number of locations and global presence, include:

1. Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts): With thousands of locations worldwide, Dunkin’ is one of the largest coffee and baked goods chains, famous for its donuts.
2. Krispy Kreme: Known for its iconic glazed donuts, Krispy Kreme has a significant international presence and a loyal following.
3. Tim Hortons: While primarily known for its coffee, Tim Hortons is a major player in the donut market, especially in Canada and other countries where it has expanded.
4. J.CO Donuts & Coffee: An Indonesian chain that has expanded to multiple countries, J.CO is known for its unique flavors and coffee offerings.
5. Mister Donut: Popular in Japan and other parts of Asia, Mister Donut offers a variety of donut flavors and other pastries.

These chains have expanded significantly beyond their countries of origin, establishing a strong international footprint.

Ice cream was invented in China

Many of us might assume that ice cream originated in Italy, due to the reputable richness of proper Italian gelato. In fact, ice cream made specifically with milk, the concept that we know of today, was a Chinese concoction from around 200 CE. It was brought to Europe (via Italy) over 1,000 years later by explorer Marco Polo.

July is National Ice Cream Month

In 1984, in recognition of the American people’s penchant for the dessert, US president Ronald Reagan declared July National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day to be celebrated on the third Sunday. Interestingly, Sunday is also the day of the week on which people consume the most ice cream, which by some extension, is believed to be the etymology of the word ‘sundae’.

Iran makes noodle ice cream

Faloodeh is a unique Iranian dessert with its origins way back in the Persian Empire, consisting of starch vermicelli noodles semi-frozen in a mixture of rose water and syrup. It sounds pretty Middle Eastern — the flavor combination not being too far off that of baklava and Turkish delight — and to top it off, this sorbet-like treat is garnished with lime juice, saffron, or naturally, chopped nuts.

It takes a weighty 12 pounds of milk to make one gallon of ice cream

(Or, if you’re imperial-illiterate, 5.4 kilograms to make 4.5 liters.) Not a particularly worldly fact, but just for fun, consider this… A single cow can produce 64 pounds of milk in one day. This means that, if you had just one cow, you could open up a small ice cream shop and sell up to 5.3 gallons of goodness each day.

A Norwegian company made the biggest ice cream cone ever

They love their ice cream in Norway, and in 2015, ice cream company Hennig-Olsen set a new record for the biggest ice cream cone. The 110-kilogram cone topped with 1,080 liters of ice cream was three meters and eight centimeters in height, and could have provided 10,800 two-scoop servings. What flavor was it? Vanilla with strawberry and chocolate toppings, which seems — let’s be honest — inconsistently ordinary.

Vanilla ice cream is, statistically, the most Instagrammable

It’s unsurprising that classic vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor around the world, and it probably will be forever. But last year, some indulgent research found that despite its plain appearance, it even goes so far as being the most Instagrammed flavor. Hashtags containing the words ‘vanilla ice cream’ totaled 439,108 at the time of the research. Bright green matcha (that’s more like it) came in second with 315,714 hashtags, only just overtaking chocolate with 301,979.

You’ll find some of the weirdest ice cream flavors in Japan

While vanilla is universally inoffensive, the Namjatown indoor amusement park in Tokyo features a joint called Ice Cream City, where you can sample some bizarre and some downright stomach-churning flavors of ice cream. Don’t be fooled by the adorable presentation — wrap your taste buds around basil, eggplant, oyster, eel, beef tongue, or even “coal” and “Indian curry” ice cream. In all fairness, this is exactly the kind of thing you’d expect in Japan, the place of the possible.

A follow up to my previous post where I blogged about the different ways to best enjoy eggs. Here I am writing about sunny side up eggs. Or Bullseye as I grew up calling them. Sunny side up eggs have to be one of the simplest foods to cook. In most of India’s English-speaking middle classes and mid-level restaurants, “single-fried” refers to sunny side up (also known as a “bullseye”). I think I prefer calling it bullseye to sunny-side up.

Although eggs are my favourite breakfast to have, I rarely do make them bullseye style. For many years it as either scrambled or mostly omelet style that I have for breakfast. At work for lunch sometimes I get bread and omelet or scrambled with some noodles/pasta. And for the most part of the last 2 years I have mostly had egg whites in omelet, whether at home or at work. It’s difficult to do egg whites as scrambled, or so I think, but yes in omelet style it’s perfectly fine.

But this morning, a nice cold and crispy morning, I woke up at 6am and by 8 am I was really hungry. I made some coffee and then thought about ordering in some breaky but then decided to make myself some bullseye and mopped it up with some toasted bread. Nice breakfast to hold me till lunch time.

Eggs are an incredibly nutritious food and probably the world’s favourite breakfast item. They contain relatively few calories, but they’re packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats & various trace nutrients. That said, the way you prepare your eggs can affect their nutrient profile. This article explores the healthiest ways to cook and eat eggs.

Boiled

Hard-boiled eggs are cooked in their shells in a pot of boiling water for 6–10 minutes, depending on how well cooked you want the yolk to be. The longer you cook them, the firmer the yolk will become.

Poached

Poached eggs are cooked in slightly cooler water. They’re cracked into a pot of simmering water between 160–180°F (71–82°C) and cooked for 2.5–3 minutes.

Fried

Fried eggs are cracked into a hot pan that contains a thin layer of cooking fat. You can then cook them “sunny side up,” which means the egg is fried on one side, or “over easy,” which means the egg is fried on both sides.

Baked

Baked eggs are cooked in a hot oven in a flat-bottomed dish until the egg is set.

Scrambled

Scrambled eggs are beaten in a bowl, poured into a hot pan, and stirred over low heat until they set.

Omelet

To make an omelet, eggs are beaten, poured into a hot pan, and cooked slowly over low heat until they’re solid. Unlike scrambled eggs, an omelet isn’t stirred once it’s in the pan.

Biting into a candy bar can be a transportive experience — a strong hit of nostalgia right back to childhood. For many Canadians, that cherished throwback is the Coffee Crisp. Reminiscent of a Kit Kat — in fact, they’re produced by the same brand outside the United States — this tasty chocolate bar is an easy-going delight.

It consists of two vanilla wafers, sandwiching an approachable coffee-flavored cream, all covered in a delectable chocolate exterior. A few variations of the sweet exist, including in ice cream and nibble form, but the classic yellow packaging is the most iconic. A staple of Northern Halloweens and convenience store snacks.

So with over 150 million bars in annual production, why aren’t Coffee Crisps more noted abroad? It’s all due to the bar’s regional production and distribution. To this day, all exemplars are made in a single Toronto factory. So, in turn, it’s a candy interlinked only to the Great White North.

Although so beloved in Canada, the chocolate candy bar was actually invented in the United Kingdom in the 1930s. Originally called Rowntree’s Wafer Crisp, the confection went through a few iterations before hitting the Canadian market. Coffee was added as a component in 1938, and the bar started production in Toronto after a year. A decade later, Coffee Crisps had already established itself as a Canadian hit.

Originator Rowntree also created a similar sweet, more recognizable stateside — the Kit Kat. Today, both of their international productions are overseen by heavyweight Nestle. And despite consumer outcries, the Coffee Crisp never achieved accessibility in the U.S. It had a limited run from 2006 to 2009, with only a few outlets selling the delectable creation. As a result, its associations with Canada only strengthened — it’s the only marketplace the bar can be conveniently purchased. Factor in a memorable Canadian marketing campaign, and it’s not hard to understand the bar’s iconic nature.

The Coffee Crisp contains three prominent components — foam coffee flavoring, vanilla wafers, and a chocolate exterior. The coffee extract utilized does contain essence from a real cup of joe, so the bar does contain caffeine. However, it’s a small amount, approximately ten milligrams, which is nearly one-tenth the amount in an 8-ounce coffee.

Of course, the easiest place to obtain a Coffee Crisp is in Canada. It won’t take much searching — simply venture to a grocery or convenience store. If living near the border with the US, Canadian stores will even offer an extra supply for a hit of nostalgia. While Nestle allows for distribution stateside, it’s not promoted, meaning stock is low. Purchasing online is the easiest method, orders can be placed via Nestle’s website. Alternatively, head to a Canadian-spun grocer or a boutique candy marketplace.

One of the best things to enjoy during the summer is a pick-nick lunch. Nothing is as good as sitting in a park or a meadow, on the grass or a park bench and enjoying the weather with some cold ones and some good food. A picnic can be as simple or sophisticated as any other meal.

You can start with a wonderful old-fashioned picnic basket — or perhaps you’ll just go for some sturdy, flat-bottomed canvas bags and a cooler. It’s a good idea to have one container (or more if needed) that will keep things consistently chilled, preferably insulated, with the addition of some frozen ice packs. Plastic bins and boxes are also possible alternatives to sturdy bags. You can prepare for starters like crackers and cheese. If you are bringing delicate green lettuce salads, pack the dressing separately and toss the salads when you get there.

Ranch salad dressing, hard boiled eggs, Two-Bite Brownies, sliced melon, grilled vegetables, washed greens, iced tea, potato salad, cooked pasta, peach slab pie…all are stellar examples of picnic preparations. You can have fried chicken and sandwiches Also pack a lot of fruit – bigger fruit like watermelon or pineapple should be cut up and kept in containers. There’s something about eating in nature that stimulates the appetite.It’s important that the contents of the picnic basket be substantial, nourishing and most of all, plentiful.