Evidence of cocoa production dates back to around 1000 BC and it's still wildly popular today. Making cocoa from the cocoa bean is not a simple process and is still being perfected three thousand years later. From bean to bar, cocoa takes a long, complex journey to become the confection we all love. Read through the quick version of How Chocolate is Made for more. Want more chocolate? Use this Chocolate Glossary to understand the terminology associated with chocolate and chocolate making.

Urban legends claim that a Twinkie will last forever. While a Twinkie will only truly stay fresh for 25 days, the popularity of Twinkies have stayed fresh for almost a century. Learn more about this iconic snack cake and the myths and legends surrounding them in The History of the Twinkie and The Twinkie Myth.

We commonly talk about "expiration dates" on food, but the fact is that most food is labeled with a "sell by" or "best if used by" date rather than a concrete expiration date. Learn about what these dates actually mean and how to use them in "Sell By" vs. "Best By" Dates.

Not all food is labeled with a date, so it's best to have a general idea of how long food can be stored before becoming unsafe or otherwise undesirable. Get the basics on how long to store food in How Long to Keep Food.

You may know a lot about food but if you don't know about food safety, you better stay out of the kitchen! Many people take food borne illnesses lightly, thinking that the worst may be an upset stomach or even losing your lunch, but food borne illnesses can be quite serious and may even lead to death. Food safety is just as important for fresh produce as it is for raw meat and safe handling needs to be practiced all the way from the store at the time of purchase to storing your leftovers. Brush up on your food safety knowledge with Safe Handling for Meat & Poultry and Fresh Produce.