Have you ever reached for brown sugar and discovered it was an icky rock? Maybe you’ve poured a bowl of cereal and it tasted staler than last week’s news. Perhaps your biggest problem is biting into a chip, only to find that it has developed a consistency more like a rubber balloon than a crispy wafer. The problem with all of these foods? You weren’t able to keep them fresh.
So, how do you keep food fresh? Well, using a vacuum sealer can really help. I have a Pump ‘N Seal, but there are models in the grocery store for just …read more

The skin of the potato is a deep garnet red, its flesh a brilliant ruby. When boiled and mashed it turns a creamy fuchsia. As a chip it’s a delicate rose pink that would fit in at tea parties and fundraisers.
That is just one of the several types of potatoes being evaluated by researchers at Oregon State University, for its suitability for growing under organic conditions i.e., zero use of synthetic pesticides. Aside from being organic, these potatoes are also being screened for its “value-added” traits that would up their chances of being a hit among consumers: better taste, unusual …read more