Food news antipasto

We start this week with news that is sure to make you smile. A small town in Mississippi is home to the world’s only apron museum. For over 20 years, Carolyn and Henry Terry have been running the Apron Museum in the small town of Iuka. The museum houses a collection of more than 5,000 aprons, spanning the globe and in all sizes, colors and types. Sounds like a great road trip destination.

Seed oils are having a tough time at the moment. They are the focus of many wellness influencers who warn against consumption of canola, corn, and soybean oils, among others. This trend of avoiding seed oils has spread to restaurants, where a growing number are advertising that they have no dishes that contain those oils. Not all chefs are avoiding the oils due to the health claims, however. Some are using beef tallow and other animal fats because they make the dishes taste better.

Speaking of beef tallow, this “everything old is new again” fat is the darling of a handful of wellness gurus, but do its health claims hold up under scrutiny? That is the subject of a Good Food article by Jane de Graaff. While a fringe element may tout its benefits, the consensus by nutrition experts is that it should only be consumed in moderation, and no evidence backs up claims that it is good for your skin or overall health. It does make roast potatoes taste great, however.

The latest coffee trend looks skyward for inspiration. Cloud coffee is making a splash on social media and in coffee shops across the US. It features elements of two previous coffee trends (Dalgona and coconut Americanos) and is made with espresso, coconut water, and a creamer or milk, “frothed together to create a layered, cloud-like appearance.” I think I’ll stick with my double-shot lattes and flat whites.

Now this is a trend I can get behind: flavored butters. Across TikTok and Instagram, people are sharing their favorite blends of compound butter. This has spurred interest in the subject, and queries about different flavored butters have spiked at websites like supermarket chain Waitrose. “Flavoured butters are the new kitchen essential and every home cook’s secret weapon,” says Will Torrent, Senior Brand Development Chef at Waitrose. For little effort you can score a big flavor punch, and it’s easy to get creative with it.

Other posts you may have missed:

• James Beard Cookbook and Media Award winners
• A well-connected kitchen