This book explains the difference between apple cider and apple juice, broth vs stock, Kosher vs sea salt, prawns vs shrimp, Armagnac vs Cognac, and all the different coffee drinks with the Italian names. Informative and fun. ( )

If you are like me, and enjoy watching cooking competition shows on television, this book can be a big help!

Have you found yourself watching Top Chef, or Chopped, only to be confused by unusual ingredient names? I have, and have found that this book goes a long way into explaining things. For example, what's the difference between broccoli and broccolini? The different types of yeast, or of flour?

There are about 100 items referenced here, all in an easy to read and engaging style. It's the kind of book that you can pick up and read an entry at a time, then come back to next time you have a question.

So, whether you are an aspiring chef, or want to impress your friends at a dinner, or just want to understand the cooking shows, this would be a good book for you! ( )

Do you know the difference between poaching and blanching? Button, cremini and portobello mushrooms? Chef and cook? Hot cocoa and hot chocolate? Whether you are a new cook or well-seasoned (pun intended) in the kitchen, there is plenty to learn about cooking techniques, ingredients, and cuisine. Very browsable and the information is shared with humor and a breezy touch. ( )

The Food & Drink answers you always wanted
Review of the Harper Wave hardcover edition (June, 2021)

I heard about this book through one of the always entertaining and informative reviews from the prolific reader Petra X. The book sounded like it would be both educational and humorous and it did not disappoint those expectations.

What's the Difference? is a selection from the past food and beverage entries in author Brette Warshaw's blog at What's the Diff?. The blog covers all sort of topics, but the book collects entries on food & beverage only, of which there are 33 past entries available to read at the blog archive. So you can read about 1/3rd of the book for free there (the complete book has 102 entries).

Regardless of whether you are a casual or a serious food/drink enthusiast, I think you are certain to find some surprising information in What's the Difference? and be entertained at the same time. For myself, several of the items that were news to me were:
- most brand-labelled aioli is just flavoured mayonnaise, but true aioli is only oil, garlic & salt;
- button, cremini & portobello mushrooms are actually all the same mushroom but just picked at different lifetime stages;
- the difference between marmite and vegemite (neither of which I have ever tasted). ( )