Though native to South America, pineapples (scientific name: Ananas comosus) made their way to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, and it was here that Christopher Columbus first spotted their spiky crowns in 1493. Columbus and his crew took pineapples back to Spain, where everyone loved how sweet this new, exotic fruit tasted. They tried to grow them there, but because pineapples need a tropical climate to grow, Europeans didn’t get very far. The only pineapples they could get their hands on had to be imported from across the Atlantic Ocean, a time-consuming trek that often resulted in bruised, rotten fruit.

 

Not every cup of Coke is created equal. If you’re a McDonald’s customer who can’t resist ordering a large Coke with your Big Mac and fries, you may suspect that the soda from the fast-food chain is superior to versions found elsewhere. It’s not childhood nostalgia warping your taste buds: McDonald’s takes steps to ensure their Coke really does taste better than the competitors.

 

There are plenty of good reasons to be sceptical of snobby wine culture.

 

Many spirits are useful for activities beyond sipping (vodka, for example, is a great stain and odor remover), but tequila holds some particularly magical powers. Here are just a few of them.

 

Drinking tea is a tradition that’s said to date back to 2737 BCE, when, according to legend, Chinese emperor Shennong found his hot water was greatly improved when a dried leaf fell from a plant into his cup.

 

Wine has been around for around 9000 years, and with 895 million gallons sold in 2014 in the U.S. alone, it’s safe to say the process is working pretty well for everyone.

 

The long fingers of climate change have begun to disrupt our lives in ways we may never have expected.

 

Ever wonder how some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries got their names? Pour yourself a dram and learn about the origins of your favorite whisky. 

 

You lie down to get some sleep after a long night of drinking, and the room seems to be spinning uncontrollably. What gives?

 

Just hearing the word “champagne” conjures up images of sparkling wine, popping corks, and wild celebrations.

 
 
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