Latest news with #cupboard
UAE Moments
19-07-2025
- General
- UAE Moments
Heinz Resolves Ketchup Storage Debate: Fridge or Cupboard?
Should You Store Ketchup in the Refrigerator or the Cupboard? Heinz Settles the Debate The question of where to store an opened bottle of ketchup has sparked heated discussions for years. Should it live in the refrigerator or in the cupboard? Heinz, the iconic ketchup brand, has now settled this age-old debate once and for all. What Is the Correct Way to Store Ketchup? Ketchup is one of the most popular condiments worldwide, but its storage has remained a divisive topic among fans. While some argue that it's perfectly fine to keep it in a cupboard, others believe refrigeration is essential after opening to maintain its taste and freshness. Recently, Heinz addressed this controversy directly. A company representative confirmed that the correct way to store opened ketchup is in the refrigerator. Heinz's Official Statement on Ketchup Storage Olivia Lennon, a Heinz representative, explained in an interview with the Daily Mail: 'There was only ever one correct answer, and we're happy to share with Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers that our ketchup has to be in the fridge.' She added, 'Although we're aware many Heinz Tomato Ketchup fans have been storing their ketchup in the cupboard, we do recommend refrigeration after opening. This is the best way to maintain the delicious tangy taste of our Heinz Tomato Ketchup that you know and love.' Why Refrigeration Is Necessary After Opening According to Heinz, ketchup is sold unrefrigerated because its acidity makes it shelf-stable when unopened. However, this changes once the bottle is opened. Exposure to air and moisture can lead to the deterioration of its quality if it's left at room temperature. Key Reasons to Refrigerate Ketchup After Opening Preserves Taste: Refrigeration helps maintain the tangy flavor and signature taste of ketchup. Prevents Spoilage: Leaving opened ketchup in a cupboard could cause its color, freshness, and taste to degrade more quickly. Avoids Food Safety Risks: Signs of spoilage, such as sour smells, discoloration, or even mold, are less likely to occur when ketchup is refrigerated. Do Restaurants Refrigerate Their Ketchup? Many people wonder why restaurants don't store ketchup bottles in the fridge between servings. The answer lies in how quickly restaurants go through their supply. A high daily turnover means any given bottle of ketchup is likely to be used up within days, reducing the risk of spoilage. For home use, however, ketchup doesn't get consumed as rapidly. That's why refrigeration is the safest storage method for opened bottles. How to Tell If Your Ketchup Has Gone Bad If you've left ketchup out in the cupboard, there are tell-tale signs it may no longer be safe to consume: The Verdict: Store Your Ketchup in the Fridge While unopened ketchup can remain shelf-stable due to its acidity, refrigeration after opening is crucial to preserving its taste, texture, and quality. By following this simple guideline, you can enjoy your bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup without compromise.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my flatmate start using the spice rack I made?
I haven't labelled the jars, but you can just sniff each spice and work out which is which When my flatmate, Murad, and I moved into our new flat last year, I made us a spice rack. We've been friends for a few years and lived in another house before this, which wasn't as nice. The spice rack was supposed to symbolise a new beginning. After the pandemic, I got into making things with wood, and thought the spice rack would be good for the kitchen, but Murad seems to hate it. I do care more than I probably should about it, but it's because we live in a shared flat with limited space and I genuinely thought the spice rack would be a helpful, practical upgrade. I even bought matching jars and arranged everything thoughtfully. I haven't got around to labelling each jar, but I don't think it's a big deal. You can just sniff a spice to work out what it is. My sense of smell is great – maybe Murad is triggered because he can't smell things as well as me. Instead of using the rack, Murad has taken over our cupboard with shop-bought jars and packets he's picked up in every shape and size, and it's chaos. Once, when I opened the cupboard, I had cumin spill all over me because he hadn't put the lid on properly, and that was really annoying. Murad says we both need to take ownership of the way things are arranged in the shared cupboard, but it wouldn't have been me who left a jar of cumin hanging off the edge. I think his side of the cupboard is way more chaotic than my spice rack. Murad has created his own junk-shed of random spices, but his just have branded packaging. I get that Murad wants me to label things, but life got busy. Plus, as I made the spice rack, maybe he could help with decanting and labelling? Meanwhile, we could make better use of the shared cupboard space. Our kitchen is small and I don't think two sets of spices is economical. A flat isn't just a collection of solo zones, it's a compromise and requires teamwork. The rack isn't perfect, but with a little collaboration we could make it better. I want ease and functionality. I don't want to try to solve a puzzle every time I make a curry I cook almost every night and love to use spices, but Alex's rack is a mess – it has no labels and no logic, and I don't have a clue what's in each jar. I don't want to try to solve a puzzle every time I make a curry, so I buy my own spices and put them in my section of the shared cupboard. Alex says I'm taking up too much cupboard space and don't empty my old jars. He also says the spices have fallen on him and spilled everywhere when he's opened our cupboard, but that's not my fault as it's shared, so he can't blame me for all the organisation. I actually think he's hurt that I'm not using his DIY spice rack, but it's not personal. It just doesn't have everything I need and it's not clear what's what. I prefer shop-bought packaging as it actually has labels. It's not like I'm buying gold-plated saffron. It's just basic things that I use regularly. I want to know that when I reach for cumin, I'm getting cumin, not a mystery dust. I don't want to have to sniff-test every jar. Alex may think it's fun to live as if we were in a Victorian apothecary, but I think it slows everything down and makes cooking, which I actually enjoy, feel frustrating. I've brought this up before and said I'll clear out my shelf if he tidies up the spice rack. He always says, 'Oh, I'll label them soon.' But the labelling never happens. It's been months. How long am I meant to wait for the organisation to materialise? I'm happy to share store cupboard staples, but not when it means playing Russian roulette with flavour. Alex needs to get his spice rack in order before I give up my shelf space. At this point, I want ease and functionality, but his spice rack creates chaos and confusion. I cook mainly for myself, but sometimes for Alex too. If he wants delicious, flavourful food he shouldn't police where I source my spices. Should Murad use Alex's spice rack? Labelling the jars would improve their appearance and spare Murad the tedious sniff test routine. In a spirit of collaboration, Murad could source some nice labels and Alex could write on them. If Alex's sense of smell is as keen as he says, it shouldn't take 68 It takes two to tango in a shared household, and Alex has warmed the new flat with a thoughtful, handmade spice rack. Since labelling is the main issue, would it be too much for Murad to curry some favour by filling the jars and labelling them himself?Patrick, 31 As someone who likes cooking and does it a lot, unlabelled jars would annoy me too. It is a nice effort from Alex to have made a spice rack, but surely labelling is not a massive job. Until the jars are labelled, the rack is not strictly finished, as it can't be used 32 Both need to dial it down. Alex, make some nice labels – it'll be fun! Murad, if Alex doesn't label the jars, do it yourself. Masking tape and a Sharpie will do it – it may even spur Alex to upgrade it.L, 46 It's sweet that Alex made the rack but he needs to be less possessive over it. It's good to live and let 67 In our online poll, tell us if you think Murad should get on track with the rack? The poll closes on Wednesday 23 July at 10am BST We asked whether Lynsey should maintain a separate towels laundry policy 89% said yes – Lynsey is guilty11% said no – Lynsey is innocent
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
You don't need expensive bug sprays – there's 3 ingredients already in your kitchen that'll get rid of flies this summer
IF you're sick of swatting away annoying house flies then there's good news. One clever TikTok user has shared a game-changing kitchen hack that's gone viral and uses just three everyday ingredients you've probably already got in your cupboards. You don't need to fork out on fancy sprays or chemical-filled traps to win the summer bug battle. DIY queen Genevieve Levy, @ who's known for her simple home tips and clever life hacks, revealed her simple trick in a short clip and it couldn't be easier. She said: 'This is probably one of the most unsexy kitchen hacks but it's a really useful one.' And judging by the swarm of tiny corpses floating in her homemade trap, it seriously works. All you need is a squirt of Fairy Liquid, a splash of vinegar, and a bit of sugar or honey. Mix it all up in a small bowl, top it off with some water, then stretch cling film tightly over the top. Grab a sharp knife and poke a few holes in the film. The holes should be just big enough for the flies to crawl in, but not so wide they can wriggle back out. Place your deadly potion near your fruit bowl or anywhere you've noticed the little pests partying, and wait. Before long, those pesky flies are lured in by the sweet scent, only to meet a soapy end in the murky mix below. 'These miracle bags should be in every home,' says mum who created a cheap hack to prevent flies from entering your home 'I've got some concoctions on the go which they love,' Genevieve said, showing off the results and viewers in the comments are obsessed. One fan said: 'This works wonders thank you." Another wrote: 'Omg you're a lifesaver, I've been struggling for days.' A third added: 'I do the same, it's magic.' So instead of wasting your hard-earned cash on bug sprays that stink up the house, try this easy homemade hack using stuff you've already got in your kitchen. It's cheap, it's effective and it means your kitchen stays fly-free all summer long. What are house flies? House flies got their name by being the most common household fly. With their hairy black bodies and translucent wings, these insects can be found worldwide. They generally live for between 15 and 25 days and can survive without food or water for two to three days. What causes a lot of flies in the house? House flies are highly attracted to manure, and can often be found around farms. They generally stay within a mile or two of their birthplace, but they have been known to travel up to 20 miles. House flies enjoy being in the sun, and will perch in sunny spots around your home. Bright lights at night can also attract flies. Why do flies come out in summer? Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE! The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures. Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active. The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs. House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours! In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days. The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months!
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my flatmate start using the spice rack I made?
I haven't labelled the jars, but you can just sniff each spice and work out which is which When my flatmate, Murad, and I moved into our new flat last year, I made us a spice rack. We've been friends for a few years and lived in another house before this, which wasn't as nice. The spice rack was supposed to symbolise a new beginning. After the pandemic, I got into making things with wood, and thought the spice rack would be good for the kitchen, but Murad seems to hate it. I do care more than I probably should about it, but it's because we live in a shared flat with limited space and I genuinely thought the spice rack would be a helpful, practical upgrade. I even bought matching jars and arranged everything thoughtfully. I haven't got around to labelling each jar, but I don't think it's a big deal. You can just sniff a spice to work out what it is. My sense of smell is great – maybe Murad is triggered because he can't smell things as well as me. Instead of using the rack, Murad has taken over our cupboard with shop-bought jars and packets he's picked up in every shape and size, and it's chaos. Once, when I opened the cupboard, I had cumin spill all over me because he hadn't put the lid on properly, and that was really annoying. Murad says we both need to take ownership of the way things are arranged in the shared cupboard, but it wouldn't have been me who left a jar of cumin hanging off the edge. I think his side of the cupboard is way more chaotic than my spice rack. Murad has created his own junk-shed of random spices, but his just have branded packaging. I get that Murad wants me to label things, but life got busy. Plus, as I made the spice rack, maybe he could help with decanting and labelling? Meanwhile, we could make better use of the shared cupboard space. Our kitchen is small and I don't think two sets of spices is economical. A flat isn't just a collection of solo zones, it's a compromise and requires teamwork. The rack isn't perfect, but with a little collaboration we could make it better. I want ease and functionality. I don't want to try to solve a puzzle every time I make a curry I cook almost every night and love to use spices, but Alex's rack is a mess – it has no labels and no logic, and I don't have a clue what's in each jar. I don't want to try to solve a puzzle every time I make a curry, so I buy my own spices and put them in my section of the shared cupboard. Alex says I'm taking up too much cupboard space and don't empty my old jars. He also says the spices have fallen on him and spilled everywhere when he's opened our cupboard, but that's not my fault as it's shared, so he can't blame me for all the organisation. I actually think he's hurt that I'm not using his DIY spice rack, but it's not personal. It just doesn't have everything I need and it's not clear what's what. I prefer shop-bought packaging as it actually has labels. It's not like I'm buying gold-plated saffron. It's just basic things that I use regularly. I want to know that when I reach for cumin, I'm getting cumin, not a mystery dust. I don't want to have to sniff-test every jar. Alex may think it's fun to live as if we were in a Victorian apothecary, but I think it slows everything down and makes cooking, which I actually enjoy, feel frustrating. I've brought this up before and said I'll clear out my shelf if he tidies up the spice rack. He always says, 'Oh, I'll label them soon.' But the labelling never happens. It's been months. How long am I meant to wait for the organisation to materialise? I'm happy to share store cupboard staples, but not when it means playing Russian roulette with flavour. Alex needs to get his spice rack in order before I give up my shelf space. At this point, I want ease and functionality, but his spice rack creates chaos and confusion. I cook mainly for myself, but sometimes for Alex too. If he wants delicious, flavourful food he shouldn't police where I source my spices. Should Murad use Alex's spice rack? Labelling the jars would improve their appearance and spare Murad the tedious sniff test routine. In a spirit of collaboration, Murad could source some nice labels and Alex could write on them. If Alex's sense of smell is as keen as he says, it shouldn't take 68 It takes two to tango in a shared household, and Alex has warmed the new flat with a thoughtful, handmade spice rack. Since labelling is the main issue, would it be too much for Murad to curry some favour by filling the jars and labelling them himself?Patrick, 31 As someone who likes cooking and does it a lot, unlabelled jars would annoy me too. It is a nice effort from Alex to have made a spice rack, but surely labelling is not a massive job. Until the jars are labelled, the rack is not strictly finished, as it can't be used 32 Both need to dial it down. Alex, make some nice labels – it'll be fun! Murad, if Alex doesn't label the jars, do it yourself. Masking tape and a Sharpie will do it – it may even spur Alex to upgrade it.L, 46 It's sweet that Alex made the rack but he needs to be less possessive over it. It's good to live and let 67 In our online poll, tell us if you think Murad should get on track with the rack? The poll closes on Wednesday 23 July at 10am BST We asked whether Lynsey should maintain a separate towels laundry policy 89% said yes – Lynsey is guilty11% said no – Lynsey is innocent
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Drink enjoyed by millions every day dramatically eases constipation, study finds: 'It should be used as a medicine'
Feeling bloated and bunged up? The chances are that you've got the perfect remedy waiting for you in your kitchen cupboard. Researchers have confirmed what many coffee drinkers already know—a steaming cup of Joe can genuinely help you to empty your bowels. A new study of more than 12,000 participants revealed that just 100mg of caffeine, roughly one cup of coffee, reduces risk of constipation by almost a fifth. But if you drink more than 204mg of caffeine per day, which is roughly two cups of coffee, it can have the opposite effect. Scientists found every additional cup of coffee (100mg of caffeine) above the 100mg threshold increased the risk of constipation by six per cent. This is most likely because of caffeine's diuretic properties, which means it can increase urination and lead to dehydration, a key cause of constipation. However, they added this wasn't the case for people aged over 60, because high caffeine intake is linked to reduced risk of constipation for that age group. In general, those with the highest level of caffeine intake had a 25 per cent lower risk of constipation than those with the lowest intake. The researchers initially set out to explore the relationship between caffeine intake and irritable bowel disease (IBD) but found no significant link. If you're not a fan of coffee, you can get a similar effect from a cup of tea, with the average cuppa containing between 20 and 70 mg of caffeine. Or, if you're not into hot drinks, you can reach for a can of caffeine-packed energy drink. Although in general they aren't the healthiest option, a 250ml can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. But the experts warned this finding should be interpreted cautiously as the 12,759 people in their study only included a limited number of IBD patients. They were asked to keep two 24-hour food diaries, and record their bowel functions using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, a universally accepted picture guide which lets people categorise their excrement's shape and consistency. On the findings published in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, the researchers advised that using caffeine as a laxative should be done strategically. This could mean prescribing drinking the right amount of caffeine in relation to the level of constipation of the patient. This can, over time, increase blood pressure to dangerous levels and trigger heart rhythm abnormalities, according to Ireland-based drug expert, Lauren O'Reilly. Interestingly, the scientists found that among high-income individuals, each cup of coffee recorded in their food diary came with a 12 per cent increased risk of chronic diarrhoea. However, the dangers of drinking too much caffeine aren't just constipation, it has also been linked to potentially life-threatening heart problems. It follows a recent warning that gym-goers should avoid popular pre-workout powders due to the severe damage they could do to your heart. Many supplements that claim to boost energy and exercise performance contain extremely high quantities of caffeine. In a video posted earlier this month to her TikTok that has amassed over 82,000 views, Ms Reilly said she 'wouldn't touch' the powders. Experts have long warned of the dangers of high doses of caffeine, particularly for those with underlying heart rhythm problems that may be undiagnosed. Caffeine results in the release of hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure. In some vulnerable individuals, this can lead to atrial fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats rapidly and irregularly, increasing the risk of a deadly heart attack or heart failure. The pharmacist's warning followed last year's alert from the Government's Food Standards Agency regarding the safety of caffeinated workout supplements. The body warned of the dangers of the 'extremely potent' products, after the death of a 29 year-old man who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after miscalculating the his dose of caffeine powder. Personal trainer Thomas Mansfield died in January 2021 within hours of 'necking' a mixture that contained seven times the recommended daily dose of caffeine. Minutes after drinking the supplement mix, he began 'frothing at the mouth' and 'clutching at his chest'. An inquest heard that Mr Mansfield, of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, had mistakenly taken nearly 16 times the recommended maximum dose listed on the packet. While the latest findings suggest your morning cup of Joe can help get your bowels moving, the way your brew it is important. Just last month a nutritionist warned that brewing with a French press could increase the risk of certain types of cancer. That's because the unfiltered method allows oily and potentially harmful compounds naturally found in coffee called—diterpenes—to sneak into your cup. Long-term exposure to high levels of this compound has been linked to pancreatic throat cancers. Other unfiltered brewing methods which allow diterpenes to enter the brew include espresso, boiled coffee and trendy stove top devices. Filtered methods, meanwhile, have been linked to a lower risk of developing cancer. According to American nutritionist Rhonda Patrick, the link to disease lies with both diterpenes and protective compounds called polyphenols. In a video posted on X, which amassed over 1.9million views—she explained how one hand 'coffee is rich in polyphenols'. 'These are antioxidants that can lower dementia risk by as low as 50 per cent and reduce DNA damage—a critical precursor to cancer—by around 23 per cent'. But, on the other hand, she added, coffee also contains 'fat-soluble diterpenes' that raise both cancer and heart disease risk.
