10 Types of Food That Look the Same, But Have Some Differences

Who never had a doubt in front of a supermarket shelf, throw the first stone! The case is that some foods are so similar that they can cause real confusion in the mind of the consumer, after all, how do we know if we are not “buying a pig in a poke”, right?

We, from amazing.com, we have prepared an article that explains what is the difference between 10 products that look the same but are a little different. Check out!

Looking like this, you can’t even tell, but there are two big differences between cream crackers and water and salt type cookies. The first is that the cream cracker can contain different seasonings, such as cheese, herbs and spices in its composition. The second difference is the greater amount of fat in the preparation of the cream cracker. This is necessary to make the dough softer and puffier.

The water and salt biscuit is basically made with the same ingredients, but it is more recommended for those who are concerned about calories: while the cream cracker has around 16% fat, the water and salt biscuit has more or less 7 % of the ingredient in its composition.

If you like to venture into the kitchen, especially in the preparation of sweets, you may have had this question at some point: after all, are 100% cocoa and powdered chocolate the same thing? The answer is no! 100% cocoa is the purest of them and is composed almost entirely of the solid parts of cocoa — it also has a little bit of cocoa butter — and does not have other additives. It’s a more bitter option than other powdered derivatives, but it’s by far the healthiest of them all.

Powdered chocolate has a greater amount of cocoa butter in its composition and has added sugar, usually in the same proportion (50% of each). It is smoother than 100% cocoa, but due to this alteration, it is no longer as healthy. In turn, chocolate powder is the worst option among the three, since in addition to containing even more sugar than powdered chocolate, it also has flavorings, dyes, solubilizers and other additives in its composition.

Despite the physical similarity, there is a big difference between these two products. Butter is a natural product that can even be made at home with the aid of a mixer. The firmest consistency is achieved by whipping fresh cow’s milk cream, known in some places as cream. Despite being a natural product, it should be consumed with care, as it is rich in saturated fat.

Margarine is one of the foods that falls into the ultra-processed category, as it is made from the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. It is rich in trans fats which, if consumed in excess, can lead to some health disorders, such as obesity, increased risk of heart disease, liver and central nervous system problems.

If you are a true coffee fan, you may already know this information, but the truth is that there is a big difference between ground coffee and instant coffee. Ground coffee is nothing more than roasted and crushed coffee beans, ready to be strained and transformed into that wonder that perfumes the whole house.

In turn, soluble coffee is made from a concentrated extract of ground coffee, which undergoes certain procedures, such as the removal of water particles and rapid drying, leaving only powder or granules, ready to be dissolved. When it comes to the benefits, they are pretty much evenly matched. Coffee admirers tend to prefer strained coffee, which has a stronger aroma and flavor compared to instant coffee, which, in turn, lasts longer.

When it comes to healthy eating, giving preference to fresh ingredients is essential. However, dry pasta is a real “hands on wheel” for those who don’t have time or don’t like to cook. They are, basically, the fresh version of the dough, which has gone through a drying process. It can last for months and the cooking time usually varies between 6 and 10 minutes.

Instant ramen noodles, however, are much less healthy options, although they are faster to prepare – usually three minutes. This time saving is due to the fact that they are an ultra-processed product, pre-cooked and dried to preserve the texture. In addition, instant noodles are high in sodium, preservatives and fat.

If you like controversy, here’s a big one: after all, is it a cookie or a cookie? According to Brazilian legislation, both are correct and can name all foods of the type without prejudice. According to etymology, biscuit comes from Latin and means “something that has been baked twice”, (bis + coctus). Currently, those who fall into this category in Brazil are filled biscuits, baked four times to increase durability and preserve the crispy appearance.

The wafer also derives from Latin and means “small spherical object” (bulla + acha). However, there is also the Dutch word koekje, which has the same meaning as cookie, but is used in foods that, unlike cookies, have some type of yeast in their composition. As a curiosity, the word biscuit has been used in Brazil since 1317, while bolacha has only been used since 1543.

Another very common doubt when it comes to food is about ham and ham: after all, are they the same thing? Almost! The products have the same origin, the hind leg of the pig. The difference, in this case, is that the ham is made with whole and pure parts of the piece, with a low fat content, being considered more noble.

The ham, in turn, is made from the junction of the remains of meat that are left on the ham after the ham has been removed and may contain other pork cuts in its composition. Ham also has more fat than ham, so it can be found at lower prices by consumers.

A well-made tomato sauce can work miracles in the kitchen and help anyone in a time of need, as it is very practical and goes well with many dishes. But is there a difference between sauce and extract? Of course yes!

Tomato extract emerged from the need to preserve the fruits for a longer time, and should be used as an extra seasoning in food preparation, since it is more concentrated. Tomato sauce is more watery, natural and light, as long as it is handcrafted from fresh tomatoes. It also preserves more nutrients compared to tomato paste, because the cooking time required for preparation is less.

Have you ever wondered why popcorn pops and corn doesn’t? And how does hominy get so soft? All of them are corns, but the plant has an incredible genetic variety and that’s the difference between them! The secret is in the “stuffing” of the corn grain, that is, the layer of the grain called the endosperm. The harder this layer is, the more popping and popping capacity the grain has.

This means, in practice, that popcorn corn has a harder endosperm compared to common corn. The hominy, in turn, is the corn that has the softest endosperm in relation to the other types. The variety of corn grains is such that there are several colors such as white, blue and red, in addition to the popular shades of yellow.

Many people have no idea what the difference is between red and white colored eggs. Others believe that these are farm eggs and free-range eggs, but the truth is only one: the difference between the color of the eggs is determined by the color of the chickens’ feathers! That’s right: chickens with white feathers will lay white or bluish eggs, chickens with brown or reddish feathers will lay eggs in those colors.

But there is a difference between free-range and free-range eggs, and it concerns the way the chickens are raised. Free-range hens lay eggs with more orange yolks, as they live more freely, sunbathe and consume more beta-carotene, which gives the strong coloration to the yolk. Farm chickens are raised in sheds and fed exclusively with feed, which makes the yolk more yellow. But the difference ends there: all eggs are equally nutritious.

Which of these foods do you consume the most in your daily life? Did you already know about these differences between them? Think of any other food categories that seem to be the same but aren’t? Leave your answer in the comments.