Here we go starting food fights again.
No regrets, we love watching you all lose it in the comments section defending your weirdly obscure food hills. We love dying on those hills right there with you because we're just as passionate about snackage as y'all are.
Reddit user JuuuEi asked:
"What's the best spice?"
Did you know there are people out there who think paprika is flavorless and that black pepper is too spicy?
Yeah, this article is about to be a journey.
Paprika
"Paprika, but there's a caveat"
"Most of what’s sold in supermarkets is flavorless dust. Paprika needs to be high quality and fresh."
"It’s actually very easy to make - you take red bell peppers and dry them in a dehydrator or a low oven. Then grind them into powder."
- murrion
"You have to actually get fresh paprika."
"If you're buying some store brand you are probably getting super stale, flavorless powder."
"I never thought much of it for a long time until I got nicer quality. I use it in so many Southern recipes."
- superdave820
"Agree. Paprika and it’s relatives around the world, like bere bere and powdered chilis, for instance - so many cuisines have a similar spice - are great and Red Pepper flakes aren’t to be disrespected either."
- RDAM60
Paprika GIF by HOFER Slovenija
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Cumin
"Cumin"
"I regularly grind cumin, salt, and pepper together and season everything with it. Gives food such an earthiness and it just plain smells amazing."
- cyclenaut
"It’s SO good. Not spicy enough to hurt, but warming and so good in both sweet and savoury dishes… chefs kiss"
- AmIRightPeter
"Cumin all the way every day."
"The smell just makes me happy and the taste brings me back to being 20. Growing up we had very bland - good but terribly bland food like bacon and cabbage, stew, coddle, all types of potato and the odd salad."
"I left home at 17, by the age of 19/20 I was a regular at the Hare Krishna Sunday feasts and cumin blew my mind. I absolutely love it."
- galwaycitydub
"Cumin. Few spices alone can completely transform a dish’s flavor profile like cumin."
"In Indian food, the amount of cumin literally affects what dish you are making. It’s a standout ingredient in Mexican food. It separates Central Asian food from its western and eastern cousins."
"I’d wager Cumin is so powerful that it’s prevented from having center stage on the table like pepper. But not in a 'too much makes it inedible' way like clove. More so like 'I didn’t plan on my burger tasting like a kabob today' way."
- mrglass8
Curry GIF by MasterChefAU
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Fresh Black Pepper
"I love spices and had a good think on the question before looking at the responses... but I had to settle on pepper. It's practically universal."
"Garlic comes in as a close second but I personally categorize it as an aromatic instead of a spice."
- legendariel
"Fresh ground black pepper, pick your coarseness, it's good on everything. Even a lot of sweet dishes can benefit from a pinch of it."
- Android69beepboop
"This is it right here. Most people have had terrible pre-ground pepper or just as bad, low quality cheap peppercorns that taste like dirt."
"It is the best spice that has suffered the vanilla treatment. So ubiquitous people ignore it and is usually found as a low-quality alternative despite being so popular for a reason."
- Cha-La-Mao
"I cannot taste pepper, only feel the “heat” from it. If a food even has the smallest bit, it makes the entire meal entirely inedible because I taste nothing and only feel my mouth on fire."
"I can eat all the garlic, horseradish, etc, but no black pepper or chili peppers. I literally can’t tell the difference between a jalapeño or ghost pepper, it’s all just pain to me lol."
"I wish I understood what the rest of the world tastes when then eat pepper :( "
- ElleCay
bart simpson restaurant GIF
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Cinnamon
"Cinnamon."
"Anytime something tastes good and someone asks what’s in that… the answer is invariably cinnamon. It should be on tables in restaurants along with salt and pepper!"
- CarbonSteelSA
"Yes! Cinnamon desserts are of the gods."
- hmbmelly
"Cinnamon in coffee grounds before brewing makes for DIVINE coffee !"
- lookonthebrightside7
"I love doing this – makes the kitchen smell heavenly."
"Just be careful when sleepily making coffee - I’ve grabbed cumin without noticing more times than I’d like to admit lol"
- shirleysparrow
Iced Coffee GIF by Cinnabon
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Turmeric
"Turmeric, tasty and anti-inflammatory"
- norfolkdiver
"It's the 'secret' ingredient in a lot of Latin American cuisine, not just Indian."
"It's not just one flavour, it can be changed into dozens of different flavours with very little help."
- Captcha_Imagination
"Turmeric is basically a wonder drug."
"It’s a potent anti-cancer agent, shows significant benefits for diabetes, is as beneficial to artery health as regular exercise, and much, much more."
- ashomsky
Cardamom
"Cardamom."
"Seriously, tho: add some cardamom to your pancake or waffle batter, game changer."
- Remoru
"Ever tried black cardamom?"
"It is like the most intense, smokey, woody, fragrant spine you will ever try. I put them in curries and eat them whole, it is amazing."
- Iwanttosleep8hours
"Try it in spice cookies like Snickerdoodles! Deelish!!"
- silvervm
"Add it to sugar cookie dough, vanilla ice cream, or hot cocoa."
"You can also put a handful of whole cardamom pods into basmati rice when making rice to go with curry. You don't eat the pods, but it makes the whole batch of rice taste and smell fancier."
- tractiontiresadvised
Cardamom Ahmed Amin GIF by NETFLIX
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Saffron
"Depends on how you define spice but I’m a big fan of Saffron."
"I know it’s expensive, but god damn just a tiny pinch of it can completely change a dish in my opinion."
- tortillakingred
Celebrity Masterchef Saffron GIF by MasterChefAU
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Almost Bacon
"Smoked paprika, if you haven’t tried swapping it in, definitely do so."
- undead_opossum
"Smoked paprika has the most amazing flavour. Regular paprika is flavourless."
- Apprehensive_Egg6077
"Straight up smoked paprika."
"Since I’ve stopped eating as much meat it’s as close as I can get to bacon flavoured vegetables."
- DarthJiveTurkey
"When I first discovered smoked paprika in a meal kit, I was blown away by the flavor. It almost smelled bacon-y. I now make that recipe all the time."
- a-tiny-pizza
"Smoked paprika. Makes everything taste like you added sausage!"
- Tall_Mickey
food porn bacon GIF by HuffPost
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Cayenne
"Cayenne pepper."
- adriatic_harmony
"Always gotta have cayenne on the spice rack."
- Hydra_Master
"Yes finally! It took me ages to find this one. Cayenne is the stuff off the gods."
- lularose1611
"Forgot about his love for cayenne!"
"To me cayenne pepper > black or white pepper."
- adriatic_harmony
season 1 netflix GIF by Gilmore Girls
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Ginger
"Ginger for me."
- ok_im_trying_again
"Ginger supremacy."
- GRZ_KIMI
"I was all for Posh Spice myself"
- stevebobeeve
"Ginger embodied the overall spirit of Girl Power the most and had the best story arc (and a great autobiography) but I've always been particularly fond of Baby."
"Emma Bunton's first 2 solo albums were pop gems."
- PeterCrissOnTheDrums
ginger spice girl power GIF
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Beyond Standard
"It’s a blend, but: Capetown Curry"
"Similar to standard curry, but a slightly broader flavor and just a tiny hint of tangy. Excellent on popcorn, also eggs, among many other things."
- holmgangCore
More GIF by Shorty Awards
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In Their Own Way
"There is nothing that can be labelled as a 'best' spice. Every spice is special and beneficial in its own way."
"Turmeric has anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in anti-oxidants. The milk helps in easing body pains, menstrual cramps, boosting immunity and providing relief from cold and cough."
"Cinnamon has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It has a sweet and earthy flavour. You can add cinnamon to your curries, desserts, cakes, pancakes and oats."
"Ginger contains gingerol which has powerful medicinal and benefits like helping in digestion, reducing nausea, fighting common cold and flu. It may also help in weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and ease menstrual pains."
"Green Cardamom has high amounts of anti-oxidants, helps in reducing blood pressure, has anti-inflammatory properties, may help in improving digestive problems and help in treating infections because of its anti-bacterial properties."
"Jeera is a good source of potassium and iron, builds good immunity, is packed with anti-oxidants and has anti-bacterial properties as well. It helps in digestion, are a good source of iron, controls blood cholesterol, promotes weight loss and prevents food-borne diseases."
- AbhishekTSM
Bring It In The Goldbergs GIF by ABC Network
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The Best Commercials
"Old Spice....I'm on a horse now."
- [Reddit]
"Old Spice"
- dependonmemes
"Old Spice of course"
- jennysook
Old Spice Yes GIF
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Biased
"In my experience, cinnamon for sweets, garlic for everything else. You can't go wrong with them."
"People would think I'd be biased against garlic since I'm from Transylvania - but nope! Love it."
- SlothActionForce
Art Vampire GIF
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Cumin Around
"I don't know about best, but I love cumin."
- Brieflydexter
"Cumin makes everything more delicious."
- gaybe88mph
"I’ve just discovered Black Cumin. I put it in everything now."
- ilikecatsandukulele
Cross Eyed Dan Aykroyd GIF by Jason Clarke
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So Salty
"Salt. Without it any food will not taste good."
"Salt … It’s literally in everything and that’s why it’s always on the table."
- BanannyMousse
Stephen Curry Reaction GIF by MOODMAN
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Classic Flavor
"Vanilla people, it’s vanilla."
"Vanilla is a classic. How is this not everyone's first choice?"
- SoyLuisHernandez
Ice Cream Eating GIF
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The Green Lid
"Garlic salt."
"But specifically the one at costco with the green lid."
- livewumbo
"All garlic salt is good, but green lid garlic salt hits different."
- [Reddit]
Licking Jackie Chan GIF
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This Moment of Honesty
"I'm too Indian to answer this thread. 🤣"
- milk_y_bae
Bollywood Indian GIF by SAATH MN
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You didn't honestly think we were going to make it through a spice article without a Spice Girls reference did you?
C'mon now. Y'all know I live for a good late 90's/early 00s reference!
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Not all pet owners have the same relationship with their pets.
While anyone who decides to become a pet owner, or pet parent as some say, love their pets equally, some never ever let them leave their side.
Taking their pet with them to work, running errands, even on vacations.
Many pet parents even allow their pets to share their bed with them when going to sleep.
For others though, this is where a line is finally drawn.
Redditor Piggythelavasurfer was curious to hear whether pet owners allowed their pets to share their bed with them, as well as the reasons why they do/don't, leading them to ask:
"Do you let your pet sleep in your bed? Why/why not?"
The Tiny Issue Of Water...
"Absolutely not."
"I have fish."- Senior-Meal3649
Everyone Gets Lonely Eventually...
"I adopted an eleven year old cat the day before Halloween."
"She has mostly lived in my closet since I got her, and she hasn’t been too interested in coming out."
"Last night, she came out of my closet and jumped up on my bed, and crawled under my covers and curled up by my feet to sleep."
"I was so happy!"- YellowBeastJeep
The Comforting Reminder That You're Not Alone...
"I recently lost my Greyhound but I used to let him sleep on my bed with me."
"The company was nice and he was no trouble to have on my bed."- HoodedMenace3
Hungry Cookie GIF by De Graafschap Dierenartsen
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What Do You Mean Allow?
"I have no choice."
"She is a cat, cats do whatever they want."- Small_cat1412
"He lets me sleep in my bed."- Poorly-Drawn-Beagle
Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
"I carry my old boy upstairs to bed every night."- worst_in_show
Hug GIF by The BarkPost
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Who Needs An Alarm Clock?
"I let my two cats sleep with me."
"They're so full of love and just want cuddles all the time."
"And so do I."
"We've all developed a lil routine."
"Get to bed, oldest sleeps on my feet to keep them warm, youngest lies in my arm while I lie on my side (she the little spoon), then when I snooze my alarm for work in the morning the youngest paws at my face and meeps loudly to wake me up."- GhostofaFlea_
Whose Bed Is It Anyway?
"Yes."
"They're also kind enough to let me squeeze into whatever space they've left for me."
"Although I do get a few dirty looks off them."- Therealkaylor
"I found this tiny kitten screaming her head off under a car."
"Would not come out."
"Got some food and some water in dishes."
"I stood by the tire so she couldn't see my feet."
"She got curious about the food and water and started gobbling it down."
"I thought she would bolt when I squatted down."
"She was too busy eating."
"I grabbed her by the nape of the neck and all four legs went straight out and she tried to scratch me to death."
"I got her in the door and tossed her toward the couch."
"She ricocheted off the couch as if she was a ping pong off a table and I lost sight of her."
"I put out food and water and a sandbox and did not see that kitten for three days."
"On the third day, I came home and she was on my bed pillow."
"I thought she would bolt when I came near, but she didn't."
"I wanted to sleep so I tried to scoot her little butt off my pillow."
"She would not go."
"I put my head down to sleep and that is the way it was from then on."
"She ran the roost."- Logical_Cherry_7588
sleepy kitten GIF
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Sleeping Is A Prerequisite...
"No, he's a cat and he cannot keep still during the night."
"He walks across the headboard, opens the closet doors, jumps into the windows and rustles the blinds, etc."
"If he would sleep he could stay, but alas, he's a ramblin' man."- Spong_Durnflungle
Saying No Just Isn't An Option...
"'Let'."
"Lol."
"It's a cat's world and I'm happy to be on her good side."- milaren
Felines Only!
"The cat does, the dog doesn't and the horse certainly does not either."- Xcrowzz
Angry Tom And Jerry GIF by Boomerang Official
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Is That My Hair On That Pillow?
"My dog is perfect."
"She comes up, cuddles til we start to fall asleep, then gets down to sleep on her bed so she doesn't get too hot."
"Jumps back up in the early morning for wake up cuddles."
"The hair everywhere is the only downside but she is so cozy, what can you do."- HoodieWinchester
It is easy to understand how some people are able to fall asleep more easily knowing their friend and protector is there, in bed, with them.
Though we can't blame others who don't want to run the risk of being scratched or bitten in the middle of the night either...
The old wives' tales.
They are the stories of legend.
I think we all need a big DEEP Google dive though.
Where did they originate?
WHO ARE THE OLD WIVES!
You don't hear about them as much anymore.
It's like science and logic are suddenly a thing.
But they sure are a good way to keep your kids and their behavior in line.
Redditor the_spring_goddess wanted to discuss the tall tales we've all been fed through life, so they asked:
"What is an old wives tale that people still believe?"
"Wait an hour to swim after eating."
What a crock!
So many summer hours wasted.
I want revenge for that one.
Say Nothing
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"An undercover cop has to tell you he's a cop if you ask him."
LonelyMail5115
"Pretty much most advice when it comes to cops are old wives tales. I’m not even a cop but most of the advice you hear is pretty off."
I_AM_AN_A**HOLE_AMA
Say Something
"That you have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing."
Severe_Airport1426
"I really think this one is important and should be the top regardless. As it’s a piece of advice that needs to be relearned and the only way to do that is through awareness."
crappycurtains
"This used to be true. I think they changed it after some guy named Brandon went missing back in the '80s or '70s. You used to have to wait 24 hours if the missing person was an adult because they had 'a right to be missing' and then everyone realized that was stupid and stopped doing it."
AlbinoShavedGorilla
Body Temps
"That drinking ice cold water after eating oily foods will solidify the oil and permanently remain in your body. I informed my coworker that if your body temperature ever reached that point, you’d have bigger problems than weight gain."
chriseo22
"Oh, I have a cousin who 100% believed this. One of those guys who believed every early 2000s internet rumor and old wives tale. One night I chugged a big glass of ice water after dinner and he started freaking out and saying my guts were gonna harden."
"I sarcastically told him to drive me to the hospital if that happened. Obviously, nothing happened and the next morning I said something like 'Thanks for being on standby in case my guts filled with hardened oil.' He just walked off muttering under his breath."
apocalypticradish
Arms Down
"When I was pregnant, I was told by young and old alike that I should NOT raise my arms above my head or exert myself in such a manner because it could cause cord strangulation to my unborn sons and daughters."
Fatmouse84
10 Years Actually
Unimpressed Uh Huh GIF by Brooklyn Nine-Nine
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"Chewing gum stays in your stomach for 7 years."
"I remember accidentally swallowing a piece of gum when I was a kid in like 1995 and just accepting my fate like welp, gonna have this in my stomach til high school I guess."
Gecko-911
I was so afraid to sallow my gum when I was young.
This tale is haunting.
High/Low
Hungry Debra Messing GIF by Will & Grace
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"You can tell the sex of the baby by how you carry."
LeastFormal9366
"Pregnancy certainly wins awards for the most old wives tales. So much absolute BS was repeated to us by everyone we talked to."
IllIIIlIllIlIIlIllI
The Cursed
"If you’re a woman and you wear opal jewelry but opal is not your birthstone (October), you’ll never be able to have children, or will be widowed, or just generally have bad luck or something. You can counteract this by having a diamond in the same piece of jewelry as the opal, though."
"I have a nice opal ring that my parents gave me years ago, and I’ve had other women give me this 'advice' unprompted more than once when I’ve worn it. I have absolutely no idea where it started, but I’m pretty sure this little chunk of silicate rock has no concept of what month I was born in, let alone of how my reproductive organs work."
SmoreOfBabylon
Stay In
"Going outside with wet hair will make you get pneumonia. Or an earache. Or maybe arthritis. Depends on which old wife you listen to."
"Jokes on them - I haven't blow-dried my hair in decades and usually leave the house with wet hair in the morning. On winter mornings, the tips of my hair get frozen. No ear infections or pneumonia or arthritis yet."
worldbound0514
Dreams and Facts
"You never make anyone up in your dreams you've seen everyone in your dreams somewhere else before and never make anyone up entirely."
"How would you possibly prove that to be true? My partner adamantly believes this and tells me this 'fact' whenever I have a dream about someone I've never met before."
mattshonestreddit
"My late wife used to tell me that before she met me she would have dreams of standing at an alter on her wedding day but could never see the guy's face, no matter how hard she tried. After meeting me the face was filled in with mine. Don't know if it's true but one of those things I like thinking of every now and then when I miss her."
Darthdemented
Cracked
Getting Ready Episode 2 GIF by The Office
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"Some people still believe cracking knuckles causes arthritis."
Choice-Grapefruit-44
"There's a doctor (Donald Unger) that cracked his knuckles a couple of times a day for 60 years, but only on one hand, just to prove it. Both hands remained exactly the same."
MacyTmcterry
I love my knuckles.
Do you have any tall tales to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
