Recent comments in /f/todayilearned

typhoidtimmy t1_jefptnl wrote

Reply to comment by VersatileFaerie in TIL that New Orleans chicory coffee mix started during the American Civil War when Union naval blockades cut off the port of New Orleans bringing coffee shipments to a halt. New Orleanians looking for their coffee fix began mixing chicory with coffee to stretch out the supply. by GeoJono

Chicory drinker here on occasion

Absolutely. Needs milk or something to cut the bite. And that bite is damn big.

Edit: Now I want to try it with condensed milk. That sounds delicious.

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Lunarvania t1_jefpi4e wrote

Reply to comment by PT10 in TIL Arabic numbers have only existed in their present form since about the 10th century. Only a few texts using Arabic numerals appeared outside of Italy until the late 15th century. It wasn't until the mid-16th century that Arabic numbers were in common use in most of Europe by joecooool418

Excellent read, thank you. Had no idea this was even a misconception people had. It's really annoying how some atheist dude bros go out of their way to make religion and belief look bad when compared to science and rationalism, as if they did not and do not coexist peacefully. There is way more credible things to be critical abour.

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bothunter t1_jefozfx wrote

Reply to comment by Skips3000 in TIL that on top of the 3 matters of state that we’re all familiar with (solid, liquid, gas), there are at least 24 more, though most only exist under extreme conditions by gianthooverpig

I wouldn't expect people to know all the states of matter, but it's kind of sad that a lot of people don't realize there are more than three, and plasma is one of them. (and experiments involving plasma are fun as hell)

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_Dnikeb t1_jefotiw wrote

Reply to TIL: honeycombs start out circular, and the surface tension of the beeswax pulls them into hexagons as it solidifies, because it is the most energetically favorable conformation. by craigdahlke

Yup. Grab a bunch of straws or balloons, press them together, they're going to spontaneously arrange themselves into hexagons.

Also if you examine a bee or wasp comb from up close, you'll realize the outermost cells are still mostly round, because they're not completely surrounded by other cells.

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VersatileFaerie t1_jefo3qw wrote

Reply to comment by grease-beef-patty in TIL that New Orleans chicory coffee mix started during the American Civil War when Union naval blockades cut off the port of New Orleans bringing coffee shipments to a halt. New Orleanians looking for their coffee fix began mixing chicory with coffee to stretch out the supply. by GeoJono

From what I have heard from people who like it, you never want to drink it plain. It needs milk or a creamer to balance out the taste. So if you enjoy your coffee with put any additions or with very little sugar or creamer, you will not find a way to enjoy chicory coffee. I have heard dandelion coffee is closer to the taste of coffee without having any actual coffee in it. The problem is that it is hard to find in most places and you would have to grow them yourself since so many people use chemicals on their lawns. I've thought about growing them in a pot since I rent, but my cats are rude and eat any plant I try to grow, so I have given up until I have more space.

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Music_City_Madman t1_jefnbfe wrote

Reply to comment by grease-beef-patty in TIL that New Orleans chicory coffee mix started during the American Civil War when Union naval blockades cut off the port of New Orleans bringing coffee shipments to a halt. New Orleanians looking for their coffee fix began mixing chicory with coffee to stretch out the supply. by GeoJono

I tried it twice now and I just can’t enjoy it as much as coffee. You can definitely tell the difference unless you’re used to it.

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NotBrooklyn2421 t1_jefn36i wrote

Reply to comment by hydrospanner in TIL In the West the largest meal of the day has historically been eaten at midday. It was not until Napoleon's empire there was the "abominable habit of dining as late as seven in the evening" as British travelers reported. The British adopted later dinners by 1850 from changes in work schedules. by jamescookenotthatone

My mom’s side of the family all does the same. They use dinner to describe a large meal, typically eaten as a family or group. Dinner can be served anytime between 11am and 7pm depending on the setting and details.

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