The Year in Food (2006)

The Tastiest Moments, from Bad Spinach to Exploding Lattes.

As we gathered stories of Iraqi food poisoning, Martha's release from prison, overfished oceans, and failed Fluffernutter legislation, a narrative emerged. The food world of 2006, turns out, was eerily like the culture at large, with outsized personalities and major screw-ups (Rachael Ray and spinach), creativity and meaningless fads (vlogging and Pop Rocks cocktails), new technology and old favorites (freezing "griddles" and steakhouses). And it was a time when more folks took responsibility for the impact their personal choices had on the planet (biodiesel and fast food). Here is our cultural crib sheet for 2006, as told through the news, opinions, and trends that moved the world of food.