Food

Exposing the sensuous red velvet cupcake

What’s behind the popularity of red velvet cake? Is it the texture, enhanced by the chemistry of buttermilk? The cream cheese frosting? Or perhaps, it’s the color red. Anrica Deb explores the food science behind the cupcake craze.

Boom at the port: Demand for the California almond means business

While the Port of Oakland’s activities may not be able to show whether the recession is over, or when it will end, it reveals a lot about the nature of the local and regional economies. Inside each shipping container lies a story about Northern California and its relationship with the rest of the world. Take the story of the almonds.

Bakesale Betty’s Uptown is open for business

The wait is over.  The uptown location of Bakesale Betty’s, 2228 Broadway, Oakland, CA‎, started its soft opening Thursday at 7 a.m.  Employees from area businesses were elated to have a favorite so close. The soft opening will continue Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and next week from Wednesday through Friday. Plans for a grand opening celebration are in the works. Want to get updates on the latest news from Oakland North? Join us on Facebook

Bake Sale Betty II’s No. 1 customer!

Willie Acklin, Uptown resident, was Bake Sale Betty II’s number one customer this morning, he says. Bake Sale Betty’s original location is in Oakland’s Temescal Neighborhood. The opening of a second shop on Broadway and West Grand Ave. was highly anticipated. Acklin said he woke up at 6:30 a.m. to be the first to get his grub. But he didn’t have to travel far: Acklin lives accross the street. He was hoping for chicken, but alas, Acklin says he will…

Backyard Beekeeping

Have you looked closely into your neighbor’s backyard recently? If you have, you might have noticed a beehive and thousands of buzzing bees. Turns out, backyard beekeeping is a growing trend in the Bay Area.

Not just another wifi shack

Coffee shops used to be the social hub of the community until laptops and wireless Internet turned them into libraries that serve food. In North Oakland, one coffee shop is trying to get the conversation started again. Shilanda Woolridge reports.