Food and drink: 45 trivia questions with sources
These questions travel from familiar ingredients and world dishes into baking, fermentation, preservation, kitchen measurements, cooking vocabulary, beverages, and food chemistry.
45 questions · 15 easy, 20 medium, 10 hard · 45 with a source link
Suggested round splits
5 ways to break this category into rounds. The printed sheet keeps the whole list in one run, so split it while you plan rather than while you host.
Ingredients and everyday foods
Fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains, spices, nuts, sweeteners, and pantry staples.
Dishes around the world
Pizza, risotto, hummus, sashimi, paneer, polenta, ceviche, and regional preparations.
Baking and pastry
Dough, proving, meringue, pastry, gelatin, sugar, and texture.
Fermentation and preservation
Starters, cultured foods, drinks, curing, carbonation, and microbial processes.
Kitchen technique and food science
Measurements, doneness, browning, acidity, flavor, structure, and brewing methods.
All 45 questions with answers
45 carry a pinned source revision
What fruit is dried to make a raisin?
Dried grapeChecked against:
The word raisin is commonly used for the dried dark-colored seedless grape, while sultana is a golden-colored dried grape, and currant is a dried small Black Corinth seedless grape.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin?oldid=1350844134Which vegetable is traditionally used to make sauerkraut?
CabbageChecked against:
Sauerkraut (/ ˈ s aʊ. ər ˌ k r aʊ t /; German: [ˈzaʊ.ɐˌkʁaʊt] ⓘ, lit. ' sour cabbage ') is finely cut raw white cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerkraut?oldid=1365304663What is the main ingredient in guacamole?
AvocadoChecked against:
As the major ingredient of guacamole is raw avocado, the nutritional value of the dish derives from avocado vitamins, minerals and fats, providing dietary fibre, several B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin E and potassium in significant content (see Daily Value percentages in nutrient table for avocado).
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guacamole?oldid=1364820069#Composition_and_nutrientsWhich drink is made by infusing dried leaves of Camellia sinensis?
TeaChecked against:
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia which originated in the borderlands of south-western China, north-east India and northern Myanmar.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea?oldid=1364666845What dairy product is churned to make butter?
CreamChecked against:
Butter is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of churned cream.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter?oldid=1362175857Which country is the origin of pizza in its modern form?
ItalyChecked against:
Modern pizza evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, in the 18th or early 19th century.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza?oldid=1363440412#HistoryWhat type of pastry surrounds a traditional apple pie?
Shortcrust pastryChecked against:
Traditionally, apples were stewed before the pie was baked, but modern English versions incorporate thick layers of sweetened slices of, usually, Bramley apple; layered into a dome shape to allow for downward shrinkage, and thus avoid a saggy middle; then topped with butter or lard shortcrust pastry; and baked until the apple filling is cooked.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_pie?oldid=1365921104#EnglandWhat color are ripe bananas usually?
YellowChecked against:
The vivid yellow color many consumers in temperate climates associate with bananas is caused by ripening around 18 °C (64 °F), and does not occur in Cavendish bananas ripened in tropical temperatures (over 27 °C (81 °F)), which leaves them green.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana?oldid=1362881848#RipeningWhere do peanut fruits develop?
UndergroundChecked against:
Peanut fruits develop underground, an unusual feature known as geocarpy.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut?oldid=1361472353#Botanical_descriptionWhat is the first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning?
BreakfastChecked against:
Breakfast is the first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast?oldid=1359991151What grain is the usual base of risotto?
RiceChecked against:
A high- starch, round, medium- or short- grain white rice is usually used for making risotto.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risotto?oldid=1362720444#Rice_varietiesWhich spice has a golden yellow color due to curcumin?
TurmericChecked against:
The golden yellow color of turmeric is due to curcumin.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric?oldid=1363742127#PhytochemistryWhat food do bees make from nectar?
HoneyChecked against:
During cold weather or when other food sources are scarce, adult and larval bees consume stored honey, which is many times more energy-dense as the nectar from which it is made.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey?oldid=1365511306#By_honey_beesWhich pasta name translates from Italian as little tongues?
LinguineChecked against:
The modern language closest to Latin is Italian, and the Italian word linguine, plural of the feminine linguina, means 'little tongues'.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguine?oldid=1351415438#EtymologyWhat is tofu primarily made from?
SoybeansChecked against:
In 1770, Franklin also corresponded with James Flint on the subject of how the Chinese converted callivances (soybeans) into tofu.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu?oldid=1365068098#ElsewhereBy the 1800s, what drink had changed from an elite indulgence to one for the masses?
CoffeeChecked against:
By the 1800s, Brazil's harvests would turn coffee from an elite indulgence to a drink for the masses.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_coffee?oldid=1364415380#ProductionWhat are the two main ingredients in a basic meringue?
Egg whites and sugarChecked against:
Meringue (/ m ə ˈ r æ ŋ / mə- RANG, French: [məʁɛ̃ɡ] ⓘ) is a type of dessert or candy, of French origin, traditionally made from whipped egg whites and sugar, and occasionally an acidic ingredient such as lemon, vinegar, or cream of tartar.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meringue?oldid=1347156286Which nut is used to make marzipan?
Almond mealChecked against:
Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marzipan?oldid=1365875925Which microorganisms does a sourdough starter contain?
Wild yeast and lactobacilliChecked against:
Sourdough leavening requires a pre-ferment (the starter or leaven, variously known as the chief, chef, head, mother, or sponge), a live mixture of flour and water, containing a colony of microorganisms including wild yeast and lactobacilli.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourdough?oldid=1363690678#StarterWhich French cooking term means everything in its place?
Mise en placeChecked against:
Mise en place (French pronunciation: [mi zɑ̃ ˈplas]) is a French culinary phrase which means "putting into place".
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_place?oldid=1354582677What kind of food is paneer?
A fresh acid-set cheeseChecked against:
Paneer (pronounced [/pəˈniːr/]) is a fresh acid-set cheese, common in South Asian cuisine, made from cow milk or buffalo milk.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer?oldid=1362900719How many teaspoons are in one tablespoon in the United States?
ThreeChecked against:
In most places, one tablespoon equals three teaspoons.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablespoon?oldid=1363722789#Traditional_definitionsChickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic combine to make which dish?
HummusChecked against:
Hummus (/ ˈ h ʊ m ə s /, / ˈ h ʌ m ə s /; Arabic: حُمُّص, romanized: ḥummuṣ, lit. ' chickpeas ', also spelled hommus or houmous) (full name: Hummus Bi Tahini) is a Levantine dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummus?oldid=1359515680Which part of a cinnamon tree becomes the spice?
The inner barkChecked against:
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon?oldid=1362542331Why does bread dough expand while it proves?
Carbon dioxide gasChecked against:
The baker's yeast enzyme maltase converts maltose into glucose, invertase converts any added sucrose to glucose and fructose, and zymase converts glucose and fructose to carbon dioxide gas which makes the dough rise, and alcohol which gives the baked bread flavor.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofing_(baking_technique)?oldid=1341505165#Dough_processesWhat Japanese food word means “pierced body”?
SashimiChecked against:
The word sashimi means 'pierced body', a combination of 刺 し (sashi, pierced, stuck) and 身 (mi, body, meat).
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashimi?oldid=1363450866#OriginWhich bean is used in traditional refried beans?
Pinto beansChecked against:
In Northern Mexico and Tex-Mex cuisine, refried beans are usually prepared with pinto beans, but many other varieties of bean are used in other parts of Mexico, such as black, or red kidney beans.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refried_beans?oldid=1356790857#Ingredients_and_preparationWhich fruit ingredients are boiled with sugar and water to make marmalade?
The juice and peel of citrus fruitsChecked against:
Marmalade is a sweet, tangy fruit preserve made from the juice and peel of citrus fruits boiled with sugar and water.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmalade?oldid=1363016539Which cheese is traditionally used in a Greek salad?
FetaChecked against:
Greek salad, choriatiki or horiatiki (Greek: χωριάτικη σαλάτα or θερινή σαλάτα) is a salad in Greek cuisine generally made with pieces of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, feta cheese, and olives (typically Kalamata olives) and dressed with salt, Greek oregano, lemon juice and olive oil.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_salad?oldid=1365569858How should properly cooked al dente pasta feel when bitten?
Firm to the biteChecked against:
In cooking, pasta or risotto al dente (/ æ l ˈ d ɛ n t eɪ /, Italian: [al ˈdɛnte]; lit. ' to the tooth ') is cooked to be firm to the bite, requiring a brief cooking time.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_dente?oldid=1353394421Which fermented drink is made from sweetened tea and a SCOBY?
KombuchaChecked against:
Kombucha is produced by symbiotic fermentation of sugared tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) commonly called a "mother" or "mushroom".
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha?oldid=1363906186What is polenta made from?
Boiled cornmealChecked against:
Polenta (/ p ə ˈ l ɛ n t ə, p oʊ ˈ -/, Italian: [poˈlɛnta]) is an Italian dish of boiled cornmeal that was historically made from other grains.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta?oldid=1362858594Which gas is dissolved in carbonated water?
Carbon dioxide gasChecked against:
Carbonated water is water containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, either artificially injected under pressure, or occurring due to natural geological processes.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonated_water?oldid=1364334300What cooking process browns sugar and creates new flavors?
CaramelizationChecked against:
Caramelization is a process of browning of sugar used extensively in cooking for the resulting butter-like flavor and brown color.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramelization?oldid=1357122258Which fruit supplies the oil in extra-virgin oil?
OlivesChecked against:
Olive oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing whole olives (the fruit of Olea europaea, a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin) and extracting the oil.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil?oldid=1365854242How does ceviche change raw fish without heat?
Citric acidChecked against:
In addition to adding flavor, the citric acid causes the proteins in the seafood to become denatured, resulting in the dish appearing to be cooked without the application of heat.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceviche?oldid=1364127418#Preparation_and_variantsTempeh is made by growing an edible fungus on what food?
SoybeansChecked against:
The principal step in making tempeh is the fermentation of soybeans which undergo inoculation with Rhizopus spp. molds, a type of filamentous fungus most widely used for the production of tempeh.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempeh?oldid=1360674449#ProductionWhich five tastes are generally recognized by modern science?
Salt, sweet, sour, bitter, and umamiChecked against:
To date, there are five different types of taste these receptors can detect which are recognized: salt, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste?oldid=1365818554#Functional_structureName the flaky pastry used for baklava.
Filo pastryChecked against:
Baklava (/ b ɑː k l ə ˈ v ɑː, ˈ b ɑː k l ə v ɑː / ⓘ, or / b ə ˈ k l ɑː v ə /) is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with either syrup or honey.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baklava?oldid=1365053217What milk sugar can cause digestive trouble for people with an intolerance?
LactoseChecked against:
The digestive system is unable to process the lactose sugar, and the unprocessed sugars in the gut produce the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance?oldid=1364590845#TerminologyAccording to the mole sauce article, what does a sauce generally contain?
Fruits, nuts, chili peppers, and spicesChecked against:
Generally, a mole sauce contains fruits, nuts, chili peppers, and spices like black pepper, cinnamon, or cumin.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(sauce)?oldid=1361623825What creates the holes in Swiss-type cheeses such as Emmental?
Dust from hayChecked against:
The presence of dust from hay leads to holes or "eyes" forming in the cheese, formerly attributed to bacterial growth.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss-type_cheeses?oldid=1357036117#CheesemakingWhat preservation process adds salt to draw moisture out of food?
CuringChecked against:
Curing is any of various food preservation and flavoring processes of foods such as meat, fish and vegetables, by the addition of salt, with the aim of drawing moisture out of the food by the process of osmosis.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curing_(food_preservation)?oldid=1362544330What does the Bloom test measure in commercial gelatin?
Gel strengthChecked against:
Commercial gelatin will have a gel strength of around 90 to 300 grams Bloom using the Bloom test of gel strength.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelatin?oldid=1363997113#PropertiesWhich coffee-brewing device uses a plunger and metal mesh filter?
French pressChecked against:
The modern French press consists of a narrow cylindrical beaker, usually made of glass or clear plastic, equipped with a metal or plastic lid and plunger that fits tightly in the cylinder and has a fine stainless steel wire or nylon mesh filter.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_press?oldid=1364555358#Design_history