# What is the most impressive food invention? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478 "2009-09-01T13:33:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/41 "2009-09-02T14:25:39Z")
I had another thought. If we’re not going for ‘Most Important Food Technology’ but rather ‘Recipe that Most Transforms and Transcends Its Ingredients to Make Something New (but isn’t really a different technology)’, then I have to go with pesto. It’s like some alchemical reaction: something incredibly good that’s also nothing like the sum of its ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/42 "2009-09-02T15:02:38Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > (now please dont get me wrong, I would almost always rather have a “real” pizza from even the lowest quality pizza joint (Little Caesars, Pizza Hut) that the top-end frozen ones, but for the times where thats not an option, there are a couple brands of frozen that are really quite good) Trader Joe’s has a little ham and onion pizza that’s delightful. ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/43 "2009-09-02T17:31:30Z")
If you want to go with creativity and a lot of work, how about that Thanksgiving staple: Turducken. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/44 "2009-09-02T17:36:03Z")
I love my breadmaker. I use it 3 or more times a week. Bread dough, pizza dough, jam, etc. I don’t bake in it, just prep the dough. Sliced bread? meh. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/45 "2009-09-02T18:04:32Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Trader Joe’s has a little ham and onion pizza that’s delightful. I, along with many other Utah residents would LOVE a Trader Joe’s here in the Salt Lake area, but as it stands, the nearest TJ’s is in Las Vegas, nearly 500 miles down the road… (The reason I have heard is Trader Joe makes a big chunk of thier profits on alcohol sales, and as Utah state law only allows 3.2 beer to be sold in grocery stores; anything besides that—wine, spirits, heavy beer—is sold in state liquor stores, and Trader Joes is not willing to come to a state that wont allow them to sell wine and booze) * * * I have several friends who always stop at TJ’s to stock up on two-buck Chuck to bring home to SLC (which is actually illegal) when they head to Vegas for the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Basandre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@Basandre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Basandre)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/46 "2009-09-02T23:49:52Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > We want [Nissin Choice Ramen](http://cheaper-than-food.blogspot.com/2009/03/nissin-choice-ramen-slow-stewed-beef.html), which I haven’t found in stores. I just e-mailed them to ask where I could buy them. I’ll see if I get an answer. Apparently that stuff has _already_ been [discontinued](http://thescramble.com/healthymenuplanning/2009/01/choice-ramen-is-no-more-already/). If you find out otherwise, please let me know! Oh healthier ramen, we hardly knew ye… ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/47 "2009-09-03T00:55:52Z")
The ability to manufacture synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. That won a Nobel Prize and without it our entire global agricultural system would not be possible. For invention that actually involves food you directly eat? Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/48 "2009-09-03T02:43:51Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > (The reason I have heard is Trader Joe makes a big chunk of thier profits on alcohol sales, and as Utah state law only allows 3.2 beer to be sold in grocery stores; anything besides that—wine, spirits, heavy beer—is sold in state liquor stores, and Trader Joes is not willing to come to a state that wont allow them to sell wine and booze) Not true. TJ’s has been in New York for years now, without selling any alcohol (although they did sell beer for a while, back in the 90’s. In NYS wine and spirits can’t be sold in grocery stores, only beer can be.) Where I live there are three TJ’s within a fifteen-minute drive. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/49 "2009-09-03T02:57:09Z")
Chocolate. Followed closely by ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/50 "2009-09-03T07:29:58Z")
I will go with cooking food. Makes it more tasty and tender and easy to digest. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/51 "2009-09-03T07:56:50Z")
> [@Basandre](#): > > Apparently that stuff has _already_ been [discontinued](http://thescramble.com/healthymenuplanning/2009/01/choice-ramen-is-no-more-already/). If you find out otherwise, please let me know! Oh healthier ramen, we hardly knew ye… NOOOOOOOOoooooo!!! I loved that stuff :(. Bowl of that + baked TJ eggroll = yummy, lower calorie Insta-Asian dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/52 "2009-09-03T12:58:38Z")
Well, there is [this](http://www.rightfoods.com/scripts/display_product.php?product_id=6106), which is not exactly what I was looking for, but all I can find right now. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/53 "2009-09-03T17:34:25Z")
[quote=“postcards, post:48, topic:508478”] Not true. TJ’s has been in New York for years now, without selling any alcohol (although they did sell beer for a while, back in the 90’s. In NYS wine and spirits can’t be sold in grocery stores, only beer can be.) Where I live there are three TJ’s within a fifteen-minute drive.[/QUOTE Thats good to know… I wonder why TJs has not made the move to the Utah market, as I am guessing it would be very successful, based on the few similar stores of that type we do have access to. The only Trader Joes I have been to were in California and Nevada, and they were a booze-hounds paradise, with many, many brands and labels that are not sold in the state of Utah. Brought a tear of joy to this old juicers eye, it did ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/54 "2009-09-03T17:47:12Z")
> [@Basandre](#): > > Apparently that stuff has _already_ been [discontinued](http://thescramble.com/healthymenuplanning/2009/01/choice-ramen-is-no-more-already/). If you find out otherwise, please let me know! Oh healthier ramen, we hardly knew ye… Sigh. . .first baked Bugles, now baked Raman. Actually, I already thought baked Ramen was discontinued, I was just hoping to find I was wrong. I wonder if they shouldn’t try to bring them both back again. I think ppl are more concerned with health/calorie-counting than ever, but then my thoughts on the subject are prejudiced. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/55 "2009-09-03T17:51:36Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > Better yet, whoever thought to put chocolate and peanut butter together… I was going to mention that. It pretty much happened by accident. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/56 "2009-09-03T18:36:09Z")
> [@Basandre](#): > > Apparently that stuff has _already_ been [discontinued](http://thescramble.com/healthymenuplanning/2009/01/choice-ramen-is-no-more-already/). If you find out otherwise, please let me know! Oh healthier ramen, we hardly knew ye… Alas, confirmed. > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **Nissin Consumer Affairs** > Thank you for contacting us regarding Nissin products. > > The Nissin product you inquired about has been discontinued. Though many consumers enjoyed this product, the demand for it was ultimately not high enough to keep it on the market. Therefore, our company has focused our efforts on items that are more popular. > > Nissin Foods values your comments and again thank you for your interest in our products. > > Sincerely, > > Nissin Foods (USA) CO., INC. ``` :( ``` ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/57 "2009-09-03T19:15:23Z")
The discovery that cows were edible ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/58 "2009-09-03T21:00:20Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > Not true. TJ’s has been in New York for years now, without selling any alcohol (although they did sell beer for a while, back in the 90’s. In NYS wine and spirits can’t be sold in grocery stores, only beer can be.) And in MA they can’t even sell beer. I know of three nearby as well. ---
**Author:** ![the\_first\_supraliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/59 "2009-09-04T13:57:32Z")
The little invention to microwave calzones, a metalic lined cardboard sleeve ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478/60 "2009-09-10T00:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I love my breadmaker. I use it 3 or more times a week. Bread dough, pizza dough, jam, etc. I don’t bake in it, just prep the dough. Can you really make jam in a breadmaker? How? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-impressive-food-invention/508478.md?page=4)