All Episodes 2020 - 2024

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Hello Internet! I'm MatPat and welcome to FOOD THEORY, where brain food is always on the menu! Are you ready to debunk food's greatest myths? Does using science to save money at your favorite restaurants sound appetizing to you? Then you are in for a treat! From the best hacks for your McDonald's fast food order to the dark history of food mascots, we cover it all! Get ready to take a big bite out of food's greatest mysteries and join the Food Theorist's community today!

Fries are one of the best foods, especially fast food fries. From McDonald's and Burger King to Wendy's and Arby's, there are TONS of options to chow down on our favorite fried potato treat. Today, I want to figure out how to get the MOST out of my order of fries. Which restaurant gives me the most fries for my money and are their order sizes a TRICK to make us spend more on less food? I volunteered to eat my way through to the answer!

You know the famous Tootsie Pop commercial that asks, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" That question has caused hundreds, if not thousands of people to try to find the answer. One of those people was our friend, MrBeast. Way back when he tried to find the answer and did a pretty good job but he forgot the BIGGEST help in any test. Science! Can we hack this challenge? Let's find out!

Baking a cake is a science. You have to follow the recipe or else your cake batter won't turn into the cake of your dreams. I hate to break it to you Theorists, you've been doing it WRONG all along! It's true - at least, it's true if you use the boxed cake mix. That recipe on the back of the box? It's a LIE! Want to find out why? Put on your apron, we're about to get messy!

Marvel is famous for its memorable characters - Iron Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Storm, etc.. Except, there is one that many have forgotten. A character with so much power, he breaks things by just entering a room. No, I am not talking about the Hulk or Thanos snapping things away. I'm talking about the Kool-Aid Man. He is the most powerful Marvel character you never knew was a Marvel character and I have the proof!

Grocery shopping is something everyone has to do. We all need to eat! Yet, I'm sure you wish that you could save some money on your trip. Oh, there are store card and coupons telling you how to save, but what if I told you that you are STILL being scammed? That's right Food Theorist, the supermarket is hacking your brain to make you spend more without you ever realizing it! How does it happen and is there a way to resist? Let's find out!

What is a sandwich? Most probably think that is an easy answer. You've eaten MANY sandwiches in your life, right? Well Food Theorists, you may have partaken of tons of food you never knew were a sandwich. Today we are taking the "rules" of what makes a sandwich and seeing what other foods qualify. That hotdog? Your favorite pizza? All sandwiches! Watch to find out why!

Today we put two very successful chefs against one another to figure out who would be the true Masterchef - since they have failed to live up to this challenge themselves. On one side of the ring we have Gordon Ramsay. The man, the myth, the one who dreams in our faces about our terrible food and we love it! His shows like Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen bring out the beast each episode. In the other corner we have Bobby Flay. This chill, southern chef is not only an Iron Chef, but his show Beat Bobby Flay thrives on the idea of pitting him against another chef. Will we spur them to actually stoke the fire and get this battle started IRL? I will certainly try!

Have you ever played McDonald's Monopoly competition hoping to win the big $1,000,000? So have I but like most people who play, it hasn't happened yet. So I wanted to see if I could figure out what it takes to WIN the jackpot prize. It turns out becoming a McDonald's Millionaire is not very pretty. Or cheap. Or healthy. Food Theorists, prepare yourself for a big serving of greasy truth!

Coffee, the elixir of many genius minds throughout history. You see, coffee itself is a fundamental building block of the world we know today. Yes, REALLY! That morning ( and afternoon and evening) Starbucks coffee may be leading you towards an Einstein level discovery! Today Food Theorists, I'm about to show you how coffee was the most important discovery we've made and how it helped invent the world we live in today. Let's get brewing!

When the weather gets hot, it's time to bring out the grill and have a BBQ! There is nothing as delicious as a well grilled burger or hotdog on a hot summer day. Except, what makes a perfect grilled food? Food Theorists, I pose this question: Do you grill with charcoal or propane? Is there a difference in taste or quality grilling depending on which you use? That is what I aim to find out today! I take my food very seriously and I won't stop until we all know the RIGHT way to grill!

Chuck E. Cheese pizza is a modern age folktale all on its own. From the infamous docuseries, to all of the other theories spread across YouTube and the internet at large, we ALL know what this theory is going to be about. Is Chuck E Cheese pizza recycled? Do the employees use uneaten pizza slices from previous patrons to build "new" pizzas that they then serve to other customers? Food Theorists, our team is out to prove whether that is true or just a piece of hot, cheese fiction!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be haunted by Colonel Sanders? What could make such a thing a reality? That's where today's theory starts! You see in Japan KFC is HUGELY popular, so much that there are even statues of the Colonel himself. Would you believe that one of those statues is responsible for a CURSE put on a Japanese baseball team? Theorists, this is about to get WEIRD!

Loyal Theorists, nowadays I seem to be thinking a lot about the future of the world. Over on my other channel, Game Theory, I've talked a lot about the franchise of Fallout. Now that we've launched Food Theory, I think it's time to cover a topic I've always wondered about - what CAN you eat after a nuclear apocalypse? What food out there is safe from the radiation that would permeate pretty much everything? Today, we're going to find out what's on the menu after nuclear fallout!

Burger King just made a major move in the Twitch space - a potentially ILLEGAL move! Loyal Theorists, were you one of the lucky viewers to see Burger King hop onto your favorite Twitch stream and use the text to speech message to advertise their food? Well, they DID and many of those Twitch streamers are NOT happy! You see, Burger King used them as cheap advertising rather than actually sponsoring them, which potentially cheats them out of money. So, was this sneaky tactic a genius move by Burger King to sell their Whopper or did they just break the law?

Ever wonder how to beat the heat with your spicy food? Do you want to WIN the Hot Ones challenge? Today I am going to find out what will best squash the heat in your mouth! Will it be milk? Bread? Maybe even Diet Coke? Get your bibs on and get ready to eat some spicy chicken wings Theorists! I hope you're hungry!

When you think autumn, what drink comes to mind to fit the season? Many of you likely thought of the Starbucks PSL - or Pumpkin Spice Latte for the uninitiated. Pumpkin Spice drinks are a phenomenon of popular culture. IS it really fall if you haven't Instagrammed one of these babies? The big question, though, is actually the most obvious. How did the popularity of the Pumpkin Spice Latte happen? And more so, what does it mean for coffee culture in general?

It's Halloween season and that means it's time to talk about some spooky, scary foods! Today, we are diving head first into the iconic monster cereal - Count Chocula! Specifically, the count himself. What is his history? Is he related to Dracula? Well, the story is actually a little more complicated than that... Get your cereal bowls ready Food Theorists, it's about to get weird!

Have you seen the headlines about Subway? A ruling in Ireland stated that due to the recipe of Subway bread it cannot actually be classified as... bread. What have we been EATING? Today Loyal Theorists, we are rising to the occasion of this bread controversy! What makes bread able to be classified as bread? Can you stretch those rules? Would you eat a sandwich made with cake? All this and more in today's episode of Food Theory!

What is your favorite cereal? Now what would you do if everyone voted to make it taste like green ONIONS?! Would you eat it? You see, South Korea held a contest to vote for their next big flavor - extra chocolate or green onions. Obviously, they were banking on chocolate to take the vote. Well, onions won. How did that happen? Who voted for onion flavored cereal? Get yourself ready Theorists, for the story of the weirdest cereal I've ever tasted!

Theorists, what is McDonald's selling? The answer seems obvious - fast food! Most of us have partaken in their Big Mac burgers, fries, and other staples of the golden arches. Yet, that may be a big ol' LIE! That's right, Ronald McDonald may not be a clown selling some of our favorite indulgent quick serve foods. In fact, McDonald's may be in a completely different business all together. What is that business? You'll have to watch to find out!

Breakfast cereal is a staple of many childhoods. Trying to get your parents to buy you the cool cereal with the fun and colorful box? Been there, done that! Now that Food Theory exists, I can go back and try to answer some of the questions that have haunted me since childhood. Questions like, what the heck do Apple Jacks actually taste like? They never say they taste just like apples despite it being in the name! So what flavor are they and WHY do they taste awfully close to their competition - Froot Loops? Get your cereal bowls ready, Theorists!

It's that time of year again, where we all prepare to cook our favorite bird - the turkey! Listen, I am a connoisseur of Thanksgiving meals and the turkey is something I look forward to all year. So, it is VERY important to me to make sure that you are cooking your turkey the RIGHT way! You see, many people are doing it all WRONG! Today Theorists, I will show you the definitive way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey to make your dinner spectacular!

Cake decorating is an art. It takes HOURS for people to decorate a cake. I mean, I can't be the only person to sit down for one How To Cake It video only to look up and realise it has been 5 hours, right? Well, that's not what today's episode is about. It is actually about Miley Cyrus and that time she stole a cake design. No really. It got me wondering if, like art of other forms, you can copyright a cake design. Well Theorists, it's about to get LEGAL!

We solved the mystery of the best size fries to order at a fast food restaurant. Now, we are going to tackle the soda fountain. That's right Theorists, we are busting out the math to see which of your favorite fast food hang outs is tricking you into paying for a larger drink size while still only serving you the SAME amount of drink! Today we are putting McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger Kings, Wendy's and KFC into a head to head battle to see which place you should go to get the best bang for your buck in terms of drink size. Which place is feeling generous and which is a major scam? It's time to pour ourselves a large cup of TRUTH!

Chocolate is one of the most beloved sweets out there. We use it in EVERYTHING from sweet to savory dishes, in many different cultures, and for many occasions. Yet, chocolate is hiding a dark secret... and I don't mean just dark chocolate. Depending on what chocolate you are purchasing, what you end up eating may NOT really be chocolate. That's right! Just like your cake mix, your chocolate is LYING to you! What is is? What makes REAL chocolate actually chocolate? I hope you have a sweet tooth, Theorists.

We've taught you how to optimize your order of french fries and what fast food soda size is the best bang for your buck! Now, get ready for PIZZA! That's right, Theorists. We put out the orders to some of the most popular pizza places to figure out what order gets you the best pizza. Who are our competitors? Enter Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Little Caesars! What pizza reigns supreme? Well, it's NOT the supreme...

If you've ever had a real tree for your Christmas tree, what did you do with it when the holidays were over? I'm guessing most of you answered "throw it away" or something to that nature. Well, you've been doing it all WRONG! Don't waste your tree when you could be EATING it! Yes Theorists, I am saying you can EAT your tree. How? WHY? Well, you will have to watch to find out!

It is a popular tradition to toast to a new year or new opportunity with a glass of champagne. People even propose by putting a ring in a flute of champagne in hopes that all of the little bubbles will make the gesture event more romantic. Except those iconic glasses may be RUINING your champagne! Why? Well Theorists, let's raise a glass to science! Cheers!

MrBeast posted a video where he announced he was opening his own, mainly digital, fast food restaurant. It went over BIG, not only in the one brick and mortar drive through in his video, but with the food apps as well. I was fascinated and had to learn how he pulled it off, as well as if this is a move that could change the face of fast food forever. What I found, Theorists, is VERY interesting. I think I've figured out the SECRET to MrBeast Burger and it may not be what you expect...

Theorists, Cheetos are cow food. That's it, that's the Tweet - I mean video. Listen, I LOVE me some Cheetos. If you pop open a bag, I will not say no! That does not, however, change what these crispy snacks are. They were MADE for cows! Still don't believe me? Well, sit back and grab a snack. This will blow your mind!

Food Theorists, this is not the first time I've talked about KFC or Colonel Sanders on this channel and I'm sure it won't be the last. However, today just may be the most important day on this channel... if you love fried chicken like I do! You see, I believe I have figured out the SECRET recipe that makes KFC chicken taste so good. Join us as we taste test our way to the best homemade fried chicken EVER! Science has never tasted so good.

We all know the mouth scraping-ly good cereal known as Cap'n Crunch. What you may NOT know is that the good ole "Cap'n" is no captain at all! In fact he is nothing but a LIAR! You see, this well loved cereal mascot has been masquerading for YEARS as an honorable captain but today, Loyal Theorists, we are pulling back the curtain on this so-called captain!

Theorists, have you ever wanted to TASTE what you see on screen like you were in the Willy Wonka movie? It would be amazing to watch something like the Food Network and be able to get a taste of all the delicious looking food we see. What if I told you that you CAN do that? Or rather, you will be able to do that SOON? Science is getting close and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! When, where, and HOW will this happen? Watch to find out!

Loyal Theorists, it is the season of love! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I wanted to explore one love related "myth". Today I want to find out if aphrodisiacs REALLY work. The science of this has always been fascinating and what better time to dive into love that now? Get ready to make a last minute menu change, Theorists, as we figure out what is the TRUE food of LOVE!

Oh Subway, it was not so long ago that we were trying to figure out if your bread was REALLY bread or if it was secretly cake. Well, it looks like we are not ready to say goodbye to your scandals. Today, we are opening the sandwich on what exactly you have been putting inside them. Specifically, your "tuna". Is it tuna? Is it even FISH? Time to find out!

Taco Bell is revolutionizing the drive thru experience. Yes, the fast food chain is challenging the likes of Amazon delivery in its grand plan. We are talking a multi-lane, contactless, order only EXPERIENCE. I know you are wonders how a drive through could compete with at home delivery and, Theorists, it is because of the BIGGEST jump all companies have to cover. What is it? Watch to find out!

Have you ever eaten so much food that you felt sleepy? Whether it is an indulgent mukbang or a holiday meal, I think we've all been there at least once. Many refer to this as the "food coma". Theorists, I'm here to let you know that what you THINK you know about these so-called "food comas" is WRONG! Today we are waking up to the real science of what is making you SLEEPY!

Would you wear bread on your hands - whether for warmth or even fashion? Well Food Theorists, that is what Panera Bread is asking you to do! Sort of. Panera released a raffle for their bread bowl gloves, meant to keep your hands warm and hold your drink. While the actual item ended up being a fake bread glove, their pitch stands. Should you wear bread for gloves and would that even WORK? I am ready to put my hands to the test for some answers!

Food Theorists, if you've been around for a while - or watched our other channels - you know I LOVE Diet Coke. Or well, I thought I did. Despite our long history, I wanted to find the PERFECT soda. I am going ALL IN on this - store bought vs fountain, big name vs generic, Coke vs Pepsi! Who will win this MArch MAdness soda bracket? Watch to find out!

Oreos are one of the most beloved snacks out there but did you know that they have a DARK history? Theorists, let's talk about Hydrox cookies. Oh, you don't know what those are? They were Oreos BEFORE Oreos. That's right! That classic sandwich cookie taste you love so much did NOT start with Oreos! What happened? Watch to find out!

By now you have likely seen the meme of the hour, the Grubhub dancing commercial. Well, it got me thinking - or rather the familiar looks of the characters got me thinking. Theorists, I think Grubhub may have.. borrowed it's new dancing mascots. Get ready to open up a fresh delivery of Grubhub lore and find out how deep this theory goes!

TikTok is becoming the place to find unusual food hacks. One that caught my eye was the McFlurry cake. I am what you would call a connoisseur of the McDonalds McFlurry and I wanted to find out if I could really get a McFlurry flavored cake. Today, I am seeing if this popular TikTok hack WORKS and if the McFlurry is the best choice... or if some other fast food ice cream treat would do it better. Theorists, let's eat CAKE!

I've seen the videos Creators posted about trying to live for 24 hours in a grocery store or places like Target. That got me thinking. How long COULD you survive in a grocery store? Whether you were locked in or it was your home base in a zombie apocalypse, how long would you be able to SURVIVE with that as your only source of sustenance? Today, I'm going to settle in and find out!

Did you know we are running out of ketchup? Well, ketchup packets. You see the past year has really changed the face of the restaurant industry and one of the main ways is portable condiments. Except there is a little more nuance to this situation left out of that. The truth is Heinz, the king of ketchup, is running out of it's famous condiment. What does this mean for the future? Well, I have a theory...

Pasta is delicious but it is not always the healthiest option on any given menu. So, I wanted to see if there was a way to change that. Can we make our pasta healthier by doing the LEAST amount possible? Call this a hack, but I think I've found the SECRET to healthier pasta. What is it? You'll have to watch to find out!

Theorists, I'm guessing most of you have seen at least one M&M commercial in your life. From the classic Santa is real one that's been circulating for YEARS or more modern versions, one thing is clear. Those M&Ms are being EATEN! I'm not just talking about being eaten by the humans in the commercials, the M&Ms are eating each other! Yet, I'm not sure that means they are committing cannibalism... Why? Watch to find out!

I love Thai food. It is always at the top of my list when we are choosing where to go eat or take out. Because of that, I've started to notice something. There are a LOT of Thai food places. In fact, they are popping up in more and more places. Don't get me wrong, I love the options and it makes it super easy to find my favorite dishes whenever the cravings hit me. What I want to know though, is why Thai food restaurants seem to be competing with Starbucks for most restaurants in an area. Well Theorists, I think it's time to do some eating - I mean RESEARCH!

So, Mountain Dew came out with a cookbook. Of course that meant I had to track it down and take a look for myself. Imagine my surprise when in my browsing of The Big Bold Book of MTN DEW Recipes had NO PIZZA! What?! A staple food of most Mountain Dew fans, pizza felt like the PERFECT food to adapt as a recipe. So I DID! Theorists, I made a recipe for Mountain Dew pizza... that you should actually EAT!

Can you cook a chicken with a slap? Ever since I came across that idea, I knew I would have to cover it eventually. There have been a lot of attempts to make this work. Today Food Theorists, I will not stop until we figure it out. CAN it work? Could a HUMAN do it? Let's get slappin' and find out!

Can you eat so much that your stomach EXPLODES? Theorists, that is the question I am going to answer today. From competitive eaters to mukbang stars, people like to eat and eat a LOT! What does that do to your stomach? You will have to watch to find out!

Have you ever opened a bag of chips and thoughts, why is there so much empty space? Did I just pay for mostly air with a side of chips? You are not alone! For years, I've thought I was getting ripped off with each delicious bag of chips. Today, I want to find out if that is true and I am starting with the biggest culprit of them all - Doritos!

Theorists, this is quite the event. After my first theory about the strange lore of GrubHub and how it is MOST DEFINITELY a future timeline of Jimmy Neutron, they responded. That's right! GrubHub themselves wanted to weigh in on our theory. This is unexpected. This is groundbreaking. This is CONFIRMED! Theorists, we were RIGHT!

Did you know how you stack the contents of your burger MATTERS? Theorists, I am about to blow your mind! I have tested the combinations and found that there is one CORRECT way to build a perfect burger. This will change your life forever... or at least your meal. Let's dig in!

Theorists, what you are about to see is from the Food Theory vault. It is an episode that was almost never aired, due to the events of last year. Remember buffets? The all you can eat experience of piling your plate so high with crab legs, various meat, and desserts? I wanted to figure out how to get the best bang for your buck at ANY buffet. I did the research, live and in person before everything shut down. The buffet we went to does not even EXIST anymore! Yet,I knew the knowledge we gained was worth sharing so that you too could beat the buffet.

We've covered McDonald's a few times on this channel and this will likely not be the last. Theorists, have you ever heard of McDonaldland, the McDonald's theme park? Yes, a real place where you could go hang out with Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, Grimace, and the rest. Think of it like a Disney but for a fast food chain... because that was exactly what McDonald's was trying to rip off. It is time to open the greasy wrapper of a part of McDonald's dark history that they want you to forget.

No, the title is not clickbait. Can a sandwich ACTUALLY make you a better athlete? Specifically, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When I found out that many NBA players ate a PB&J sandwich - PB&J adjacent item - before a game, I had to figure out WHY! Theorists, this goes beyond sports and nutrition. This is about validating all of the PB&J sandwiches I've eaten over my life. Get ready to play ball!

We've covered the Subway Tuna controversy once before on this channel. In that, we can to the conclusion that Subway was not trying to market a mystery meat as tuna in their tuna sub. Recently the New York Times came out with an article bringing it all up again. The article said that they did a DNA test on the Subway tuna filling and could not prove it was in fact tuna. Well Theorists, I'm here to tell you that the New York Times made a pretty big mistake with their test and the tuna wants its revenge...

We tested what the best way to build your burger was but that was NOT enough! Theorists, when we taste tested our burger combinations, we discovered that we may have ALL been doing it WRONG! Today we are going to calculate the ULTIMATE burger toppings according to SCIENCE It is time to make the PERFECT burger!

Theorists, are the rumors TRUE? Does Taco Bell, fan favorite fast food restaurant, WRECK your stomach? You know what I mean. Taco Bell has developed a reputation for giving people digestive issues after consuming their food. Now, I like proof before making such big accusations. So today we are going to figure out if this is the TRUTH or a stinky pile of LIES!

By now most people have heard of Omega Mart, the art installation experience in Las Vegas. If you haven't, it's an unusually themed shopping and activity experience based around aliens, conspiracies, and more. Today, I want to take you on a trip down the rabbit whole that is Omega Mart and we are not stopping until we figure out the strange and unusual lore of Omega MArt. Get ready for a road trip, Theorists!

Theorists, we've been on quite the journey with GrubHub. We've found the lore, we've examined the clues the company left for us, and now I think we have what it takes to SOLVE the mystery once and for all - as a COMMUNITY! Today Theorists, all of our hard work is going to pay off. Strap on your bib and let's dig in!

We've told you how to optimize your fries, how to get the best deal when you order a pizza, and what fast food soda size is worth the money. Now, we are tackling crispy fried chicken sandwiches. What chain has the BEST chicken sandwich according to our rigorous grading system? We are putting McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Chick-Fil-A, and MORE to the test. Let's get EATING!

You’ve probably heard the classic M&M slogan that the candy “Melts in your mouth, not your hands!” Is that TRUE? Theorists, I want to find the definitive answer. We are putting this candy coated chocolate treat to the test to find out if M&Ms have been LYING to us the whole time!

Have you ever had a drink of a beer that tasted rancid? Well that could be because it was skunked! No, we are not talking about beer made from a skunk or it's stank. I'm talking about when the sun RUINS your drink. Some are guiltier than others when it comes to their bottle design, so I figured that for the end of summer it was time to try and SAVE your beer! Plus, one beer that you may want to leave in the sun to HELP it...

Do you ever find yourself thinking of a commercial from your childhood that you haven't seen in YEARS but somehow remember every weird, disturbing moment? That is what we are talking about today, Theorists! Weird commercial marketing and why it sticks with you! From the current TikTok fad of Little Lad's berries and cream, to Burger King's stalker mascot, or Quiznos creepy Spongemonkeys - there are a lot of commercials that haunt our dreams. Why do they stick in your memory? Watch to find out!

Last time we tried the Hot Ones Challenge, we SCORTCHED our mouths but ultimately came up with the winning remedies for soothing the pain of hot food... or so we THOUGHT! Theorists from all over shared their own cures for a burning mouth and today we are TESTING them. From milkshakes to SOAP, there is nothing holding us back except our own pain. What will be crowned the best heat soother? Watch to find out!

Have you ever been walking through the mall and smelled that delicious, iconic sent of Cinnabon? Have you passed by a Panera and SWEAR you could smell the bread from outside? Maybe you've been on a bus and suddenly got a craving for some Dunkin Donuts? All of those things happened on PURPOSE! You see, companies are operating just inside the law to get you STARVING for their food... some may even say they've tip-toed outside the lines of the law. Well Theorists, get your detective hats ready. We are going to figure out if these companies are BREAKING the LAW!

Have you ever stopped to wonder if the people in the Pokemon universe EAT Pokemon? I know, I know - that is SUPER dark! Isn't that why you keep tuning in to these episodes? I am going to figure out who is the TASTIEST and most NUTRITIOUS Pokemon you should be eating! Watch out Pikachu!

Theorists, you're a different person when you are hungry. Have a Snickers - or maybe don't. Why does a Snickers help you when you're "hangry" or has that been one big LIE? Today, I'm going to pit Snickers against the other major player of candy bars to see which is the BEST to solve your hunger... or if we should give up on the idea that candy could EVER be good for us once and for all!

What kind of water do you drink? Now most of you are probably like... water? Some of you, though, likely subscribe to the alkaline water life. I've always wondered about the benefits of enhanced water. Does it really help or are you just paying more for some fancy science words? Today, we are going to do a deep dive into the world of alkaline water and see if it really is revolutionary or just a big LIE!

Are you a brand name or store brand kind of person? People generally fall on one side or the other for various reasons. Today, I want to explore what those are and see if there is really a BETTER option. Will the generic brands rise above their bad reputations? Will the brand names fail to meet the hype? Let's test some food!

Do you remember when KFC used to stand for Kentucky Fried Chicken? Maybe you didn't know that they officially changed their name! Loyal Theorists, we've already solved one of KFC's biggest mysteries - the secret recipe. Now, we are tackling the mystery of the big name change and what made them do it!

Today we're testing one of our sweetest theories ever! Can you make cookies from Cookie Dough Ice Cream? And if so, are they actually good? Well today, Steph and I put it to the test with a variety of different ice cream brands.

Today Loyal Theorists, we return to the mysterious "grocery store" known as Omega Mart. Team Theorist has been visiting, researching, and trying to uncover ALL of the SECRETS to this amazing experience. We are about to break the seal on what is REALLY going on and what may be the FUTURE of Omega Mart! Let's go!

Have you ever been crying in a movie and wondered if your salty tears could season your popcorn? No, that's just me? Well, fine! I'll answer the question I KNOW you've all been thinking. Can you salt your food with tears and how would that even TASTE? I'm just the Theorist to answer that question! Get ready to cry...

McDonald's McRib is beloved by the masses... right? WRONG! Theorists, McDonald's has been feeding you LIES! Today, we are breaking down all of the secrets around the McDonald's McRib and how it may be the biggest conspiracy we've uncovered here on Food Theory yet!

Can you survive by only eating one food for your ENTIRE LIFE? Today we are going to find out! What nutrients do we need to survive? What foods have the best chance of giving you those? Will it be PIZZA like we all hope? Get ready to take a big bite of some science!

Last year I ate my Christmas tree. If you missed that, you should definitely watch it. This year, I wanted to take it a step further and ruin an icon of the season, the Christmas cookie. That's right Loyal Theorists, I used my Christmas tree to make COOKIES! No really, these cookies are made from REAL TREES! How did it go? Were they tasty? Should you do it? Watch to find out!

Did Coca Cola, the famous soda brand, CREATE Santa Claus? That's a big question with a long history. Today we are getting into the Christmas spirit of capitalism and looking to see if the holly, jolly man himself is just a trap. Let's go!

Theorists, it is hard not to love McDonald's chicken nuggets. The McNuggets have been a staple of my fast food rotation for YEARS. Yet, they hold some dark secrets. Today we are taking a bite out of this tasty treat to reveal what is hiding beneath the crispy coating. Let's dig in!

Have you ever gone to McDonalds dreaming of some cold, satisfying ice cream only to find the machine is BROKEN? Theorists, I sense something is afoot here. Today, I'm getting my metaphorical hands dirty and wading into the melty mess to find out if something shady is going on. I don't think anyone is prepared for what we are going to find...

Theorists, have you ever heard the saying that eating more carrots will help make your vision better? I've always wanted to know if that was true. Could carrots be the key to helping you see better? Not only that, but could they be the SECRET weapon to something even greater? That and more in today's Food Theory!

Do you remember being in school and being taught the food pyramid? We were told that it was the pinnacle of how to eat healthy. Well Theorists, the adults lied to us.... AGAIN! Today we are uncovering the deep, dark secrets of who is in control of what we "should be eating".

Milk, the healthiest drink you can choose for your body outside of water... right? WRONG! Well, sort of. Today, I'm breaking down all of the LIES from the big dairy industry and what milk actually does for your body. Get ready to cast that cow aside and start sipping something NEW!

Have you ever been sitting next to someone eating chips and think, "WOW! That's a loud chip!" Theorists, do I have the episode for you! Today my goal is to make the world's crunchiest and LOUDEST chip! From Lays to Pringles, Kettle Chips to Doritos - I'm going to out crunch them all! Is there a chip you think I missed? Let me know in the comments and maybe I'll do a part two...

Theorists, if you have the choice, would you rather eat a ton of spinach or chocolate? Which one do you think is BETTER for you? Well, you may just be WRONG! Today I'm diving into the science behind what makes our food "good" for us and why you should potentially be substituting that green stuff for some sweet, rich chocolate. Let's go!

Have you ever been eating something cold like ice cream or sipping on a slurpee when suddenly - BAM! Your head is full of icy pain. That's right, today we are talking about brain freeze. That seemingly inescapable pain from eating something cold too fast, or too long, or... well we're not sure what causes it yet. Theorists, it's time to take a bite out of the mystery that is brain freeze! Why do we get it? Can you cure it? Could it even KILL you?

Theorists, are you planning to go or have you gone to college? Maybe you are dreaming of getting into that Ivy League school, like Harvard or Yale. Well, what if I told you there was something you could do that may be HARDER to break into than Harvard but may just make you more money in the long run? That's right, Theorists. It's time to skip the college education and buy a Chick-Fil-A... maybe.

Have you tried Coca Cola Starlight, better known as Space Coke? Theorists, this is a WEIRD one. I've tried many flavors of Coke in my soda journey but I think this is the strangest. Does it taste like SPACE? Does space even HAVE a taste? We are going to find out today!

Theorists, for the love of science I have eaten a Christmas tree TWICE and tried wearing bread loafs on my hands for gloves. There is almost NOTHING I won't do to learn. That includes using my dryer to try to cook my food. Today we are trying to answer the question of "Will it cook?" - dryer edition! Be sure to let me know in the comments what other hacks I should try to prove or debunk!

Theorists, we've all heard about edible clothing right? Usually it's something you see in a gag gift store and it's made of some kind of candy. Now, that may not seem nutritious and, while you are right, it DID get me thinking... about SURVIVAL! You may recall I wanted to figure out how long someone could survive on only one food for life, well now I want to know if someone could live off only eating their CLOTHES! Get ready to serve yourself up a big slice of your favorite shoes and dig in!

By now most of you have heard of the latest contest being put on by MrBeast. Yes, I am talking about MrBeast's Chocolate Factory giveaway where you can buy his chocolate bars for the chance to find a golden ticket. Hmmmm... that sounds pretty familiar. Now, I'm not here to guess if MrBeast's next goal is to become Willy Wonka. I want to talk about the contest itself. Is it legal? Can you win without spending ANY money? You'll need to watch to find out!

Theorists, we need to talk. My last video on milk was called out by another creator for spreading false information. Ann Reardon, also known as How To Cook That, reacted to my video and had a few corrections. Today, I'm going to be going through those fact checks to see what actually went wrong in that video and make sure we are setting everything straight. Is it a video I should be deleting off the channel? Let's find out.

Theorists, is our food getting SMALLER while we still pay the same price or even MORE? That is the topic of today's theory. Welcome to shrinkflation, the word that sounds made up but may actually be making a BIG impact on your wallet. It's time to find out if companies have been scamming us out of our money... AGAIN!

Theorists, do you remember Crystal Pepsi? It was the clear soda no one really asked for and then it was brutally taken down by Coke. We all know about the epic, unending battle between Coca-Cola and Pespi and this is but a chapter in that saga. Get ready for the story of how Coke killed Crystal Pepsi.

We did an episode a while back on what foods you can eat after a nuclear fallout. Consider this the sister episode to that. When I read a claim that all bananas contain radiation, I knew I had to find out more. Theorists, is your banana trying to kill you? Or is something bigger afoot? Grab a snack... but be careful what you choose.

We found the answer to the age-old question of "Is a hotdog a sandwich?". Now it is time to make another set of people REALLY angry at me. The coffee people to be precise. What question are we answering today? Well, you read the title but for those of you who may have skipped over it - here you go! Is COFFEE actually a SOUP?

Have you ever wondered how STUFFED is a Double Stuf Oreo? Are you actually getting that much extra cream filling? That is what we aim to discover today! Are Oreos SCAMMING you out of that extra cream filling you are paying for? What Oreo gives you MAX filling? All that and more in today's episode of FOOD THEORY!

Do you prefer eating the left or right Twix bar first? Is there even a difference? Well the marketing team at Twix sure wants you to think so! Today we are peeling back the wrapper on this question to find out if one side of your Twix candy bar is ACTUALLY superior!

It's been a long time since we tested a TikTok recipe hack. We tested the failed McDonalds McFlurry cake and now we have set our sights on the Pringles Mashed Potatoes. I've seen this trend going around and need to try it for myself. Will it be as BAD as it looks or can I FIX this TikTok food FAIL? Let's get cooking!

I know what you are thinking, did I accidentally click on a Game Theory video? Nope! We are talking about deadly potatoes and I've decided that all potatoes, even Minecraft potatoes, are Food Theory territory. If you keep up with the Dream SMP, you know where this is going. Recently, Dream seemingly killed TommyInnit with a potato to the head. I want to know if that is a thing that could REALLY happen. Get your diamond helmets ready, this may get dangerous!

Listen, you know by now that when MrBeast talks about something food related, we are going to cover it. Today we are taking a look at his Willy Wonka inspired factory. Specifically, the deadliness of it. You see, I think they underestimated what was going on here. That place is FULL of death traps not meant to be ignored. What is the WORST? Watch to find out!

It's that time again. Time to get Team Theorist to try some questionable food in the name of science! What are we testing? Whether or not it's true that you eat with your eyes first and foremost. No, we are not shoving food in our eyes. What I want to find out is if SEEING something changes how you TASTE something. Let's get TASTING!

Theorists, with competitors like Matt Stonie and Joey Chestnut are changing the face of competitive eating. They are pushing the limits of what we know the sport to be. How is that changing the landscape of competitive eating and what will it look like in the future? Let's find out!

Theorists, did you know the government is hiding caves full of cheese from us? Well, sort of. Today we dive into the weird, melty mystery of government cheese. Is it real? What exactly IS it and why are we all not swimming in government funded grilled cheese sandwiches? It's time to take a bite out of the mystery that is government cheese!

When I saw MrBeast put out a video called 'I Didn't Eat Food For 30 Days', I knew I would need to talk about it. See, that sounds like a DANGEROUS challenge on the surface. When you actually watch the video and get context, well, yeah it's still a worrisome idea. Between the challenge and Gordon Ramsey trying to feed him a bad meal, there is a LOT to break down here.

Have you ever heard the story of Pepsi's Navy? You read that right. A NAVY owned by PEPSI! I've heard a lot of crazy things in my career but this is definitely up there. Today I am diving into the history and lore of Pepsi's Navy to get to the TRUTH! Is it real? Will Pepsi be the one to defend us? Pop open a can of your favorite soda, sit back, and let's go!

Theorists, I've already talked about the good and bad of dairy based milk on this channel... twice. So, for our vegetarian, vegan or lactose intolerant friends, I wanted to take a deep dive into alternative milks. From soy and oat, to pea and cashew, which alternative milk makes the BEST milk? Let's find out!

Theorists, do you have a favorite pizza? Not topping, but TYPE of pizza? Is it the thin and floppy New York style or deep dish Chicago? Well, today we are taking a side... sort of. We are diving in to find what makes New York pizza have its unique flavor. What is the secret ingredient? Get ready to take a big, cheesy bite out of this mystery!

Theorists, by now most of us have seen the videos by Eddy Burback and Ted Nivison. They inspired me to take my own trip to a Rainforest Cafe, so while I was out of the country I went to the one in Paris! No, not for the food or the ambiance. For. The. LORE! That's right. I needed to find out if this theme restaurant had any hidden lore and, Theorist, I think it may just be the next FNAF. Yes, you read that right. Let's go!

By now you have probably heard about TikTok's infamous Pink Sauce. It wasn't MADE by TikTok, to be clear, but that was where the actual creator decided to market and sell their product. Except, then people actually TRIED it and the results were... not good. Today, I want to figure out what went wrong with the Pink Sauce - from the recipe to the regulations. Let's get cooking!

You've probably seen a LOT of videos claiming to make the BEST grilled cheese or the PERFECT grilled cheese. That is NOT this video. Today, I'm attempting to break a world record in satisfying cheese pulls. That's right, we are going to make the world's cheesiest grilled cheese and see how far we can pull it! Let's get SATISFIED!

There is a lot of talk out there about the Green M&M. She's gone through some... iterations, but that is NOT what we are talking about today. At least, not the most important thing. What I'm looking to see is if green M&Ms can help you get LUCKY! Think of this as the spiritual successor to our chocolate episode a while back.

Theorists, did you ever buy lunch from school? Did you feel like it was satisfying and healthy? Well, that is what we are looking into today. You see, your school lunch is meant to give you a healthy balance of foods to get you through your school day. Except, that is NOT what I remember about the lunches I ate from school. Is it all one big LIE? Let's find out!

Theorists, when was the last time you watched Disney's Beauty and the Beast? In the big musical number Be Our Guest, we are introduced to "the grey stuff" as being delicious. IT became a mystery to solve. What IS the grey stuff, exactly? Then Disney put a verison in their theme parks, yet, I think they may still be hiding some dark secret about this mysterious food. Something they do NOT want us to know!

Theorists, have you ever eaten at a Michelin Star restaurant? You know, the fancy places that were awarded stars from the Michelin tire company for their very expensive food. Oh, you didn't know that's who is dolling out these acclaimed stars? Surprise! It's true, a tire company has been telling us what the top tier restaurants in the world are for YEARS and no one thought to question it. Well, Loyal Theorists, that is what I am here to do!

I can't believe I need to say this but DON'T EAT chicken cooked in NyQuil! Like Tide Pods and questionable Pink Sauce, there are things that are just not meant to be ingested. Today I'm going to explain why the NyQuil chicken challenge is dangerous and why we need to stop trying viral food hacks that we KNOW are bad for us just for the views. Safety first and let's dive in!

Theorists, did you know Tony the Tiger of Frosted Flakes fame is now a big time VTuber? Well, he is and like any Creator he has to have a fully customized PC to do his gaming on. So what is so special about this that I'm doing a whole Food Theory episode on it? It is his MILK COOLED computer! That's right. Tony is cooling his computer with MILK. Is that even POSSIBLE? We are going to find out!

Welcome BACK to my laundry room. Theorists, I think the laundry room may be the new kitchen. Last time I tried cooking in my dryer, it went surprisingly well! So well that I thought, "MatPat, why not make an entire three course meal in your laundry room?" So that is what we are doing today! From steak to ice cream, we are going to eat well today! Let's go!

Theorists, did you ever go trick or treating? Getting that HUGE Halloween candy haul at the end of the night is a rush like nothing else for a kid - and even us non-kids. But not all candy is created equal. What is your FAVORITE and what does that tell me about YOU? Today we are diving DEEP into the secret hiding in your favorite candy. Let me know your FAVORITE Halloween candy in the comments!

Theorists, do you remember the old Gatorade commercials where people would SWEAT Gatorade? I sure do. Now that I have a channel dedicated to all things food related, it's time to find out if those commercials were lying to us all along. Can you really sweat Gatorade from your skin? How much Gatorade would you have to drink to make that happen? Drink up, Theorists, because this is a weird one!

You all seemed to really enjoy my dive into the lore of the Rainforest Cafe, so I figured it was time to return to the real life FNAF that is Chuck E Cheese. I want to know the story behind the mascot. No, not the history of the restaurant. The story of the animatronics made to entertain us. Theorists, this story is TRAGIC!

Friends, today I’m spilling the tea on all you FRAUDS out there! You’ve all been making tea completely WRONG your whole lives! Absolutely nobody is safe from the science that’s going to prove them wrong today, as I take you through the scientifically proven way of making the PERFECT cup of Tea. Cheers!

Listen up, Theorists! No, seriously, I need you to listen very closely. . . to the sounds of hot and cold water being poured. I promise it is WAY more exciting than it sounds! In fact, there is a sound difference between the two waters that you may have NEVER realized. Grab a fresh cup of H20 and let’s dive in...

Are you ready, Theorists? I can’t hear you! I need you to get LOUD if you want to hear about the super secret Krabby Patty recipe. Yes, I’ve looked at this SpongeBob Squarepants burger before, but there was something that I missed. And it could forever change the way you look at this underwater meal. Grab your spatulas, Theorists, and let’s cook!

Loyal Theorist, I want you to think about the last vanilla treat you had. Was it a cupcake? An ice cream cone? A piece of cake? I’m sure it was DELICIOUS! And I hope you savored it, because vanilla could go the way of the dinosaurs and become extinct! Today I’m revealing why this flavor could soon be gone. . . FOREVER.

Remember when we were wondering if Subway tuna was REALLY fish? Now, we’re wondering if ALL FISH are really fish... or if they are actually BEES! It’s a strange question to ask, I know! But, stay with me here. We should really get to the bottom of this mystery and find out whether those little stinging insects ACTUALLY belong in the sea. Something smells fishy here, so let’s solve it!

Santa may not eat his Christmas tree like I do, but every Christmas Eve St. Nick does DEVOUR millions of cookies. And that’s just in the United States! Kids around the world leave out ALL SORTS of food for Kris Kringle. But can the jolly man in red handle ALL OF THAT food? Or would he explode?! Let’s find out, Loyal Theorists!

For the past year The Liver King has been calling on all of us to eat raw meats to get SWOL. I don’t know about you, Loyal Theorist, but that does NOT sound appetizing... However, his diet DID intrigue me. Even though The Liver King Confession video exposed some... QUESTIONABLE practices, I still had to know if a raw meat diet could ACTUALLY work?! There’s only one way to find out, so let’s find out the RAW truth.