Practical Tips
Tricks for the kitchen and the home: how to thaw food safely, keep fresh herbs longer, tell whether an egg is still good. Every tip comes with the reason it works.
- Practical Tips
How to thaw food safely (and why the countertop is a bad idea)
Fridge, cold water or microwave: the three methods food safety agencies recommend, how long each one takes and when refreezing is acceptable.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to steam-clean your microwave with lemon or vinegar
A bowl of water in the microwave softens stuck-on grime and makes cleaning easy. Here is the step-by-step, the risk of superheated water and what never to use on the appliance.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to keep fresh herbs fresh for longer
Parsley and cilantro like a glass of water, rosemary and thyme prefer a damp paper towel, and basil suffers in the fridge. Here is how to store each type and how to freeze them.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to tell if an egg is fresh (and what the float test can't tell you)
The float test reveals an egg's age thanks to its air cell, but not whether it is safe. Here is how to read the test, the date and the smell, and why storage advice changes from country to country.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to Keep Bread Fresh Longer (and Why the Fridge Makes It Worse)
The fridge makes bread go stale faster, while the freezer is your best ally. Learn where to store it, how to freeze it in slices, how to reheat it and when to throw it out.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Clothes: A Method That Works
Coffee stains come out easily if you act fast, use cold water and keep the garment out of the dryer until the stain is gone. Here is the full method and the mistakes that set a stain.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to Organize Your Fridge So Food Lasts Longer
Each part of your fridge has a different temperature, and using that to your advantage cuts waste and the risk of food poisoning. Here is the right temperature, what goes on each shelf and what does not belong inside at all.
November 3, 2026 - Practical Tips
How to Ripen Avocados (and Other Fruit) Faster
A paper bag plus a banana or apple speeds up ripening thanks to ethylene gas. Learn how it works, which fruits respond, how to tell when an avocado is ripe and how to stop a cut one from turning brown.
November 3, 2026
