What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?

Food & Beverage | The Knowledge Comfort foods are more than just meals—they are emotional touchstones. From a bowl of chicken noodle soup to a plate of mac and cheese, comfort foods provide familiarity, warmth, and reassurance during moments of stress, illness, or nostalgia. While comfort foods vary by culture and personal experience, their purpose is universal: they make us feel grounded, safe, and connected.

---

What Defines Comfort Food?

Although comfort foods differ from person to person, they often share common characteristics:

• Familiar and nostalgic – Foods tied to childhood or family traditions
• Warm and filling – Soups, casseroles, stews, and baked dishes
• Emotionally satisfying – Comforting beyond physical hunger
• Rich in carbohydrates or fats – Which can influence mood-regulating chemicals in the brain

These foods are rarely chosen for convenience alone—they’re chosen because they feel like home.

---

The Science Behind Comfort Foods

There is real science behind why comfort foods make us feel better. Carbohydrate-rich foods can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and promote a sense of calm. Warm foods also play a role. Studies suggest that warmth can enhance feelings of safety and emotional comfort, which may explain why soups, stews, and hot meals are commonly craved during stressful times or colder seasons. In short, comfort foods don’t just satisfy hunger—they support emotional well-being.

---

Comfort Foods Are Cultural

Every culture has its own version of comfort food, shaped by tradition, availability, and shared history:

• United States: Mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes
• Mexico: Tamales, pozole
• Italy: Pasta, lasagna
• Japan: Ramen, curry rice
• India: Dal with rice

What makes these foods comforting isn’t the recipe—it’s the memory and meaning attached to them.

---

Why We Turn to Comfort Foods

People often crave comfort foods during moments of emotional or physical vulnerability, including:

• Stress or anxiety
• Illness or fatigue
• Homesickness
• Major life changes
• Celebrations and family gatherings

In uncertain moments, familiar flavors help restore a sense of normalcy and emotional balance.

---

More Than a Meal

Comfort food isn’t about indulgence or nutrition alone—it’s about connection. These dishes link us to people, places, and moments that shaped us. That’s why comfort foods endure across generations, cultures, and changing trends. Comfort food doesn’t just feed the body. It feeds the moment.

---

Related Reading

• Why We Crave Comfort Foods – Smithsonian Magazine
• Why Comfort Foods Comfort – Psychology Today
• Why Comfort Foods Make Us Feel Better – Harvard Health
• Comfort Food and Cultural Identity – National Geographic
• The Science Behind Comfort Foods – BBC Future

Get The Knowledge—only on STM Daily News.

Last Updated on January 12, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Teremana® Tequila Partners With Wingstop to Celebrate Fans of Flavor This Postseason

Teremana® Tequila is bringing the good energy to game day. In a new “Fans of Flavor” partnership announced Jan. 9, 2026, the premium tequila brand founded by Dwayne Johnson is teaming up with Wingstop—the global wing brand known for fresh, made-to-order chicken wings, bold flavors, and its iconic housemade ranch—to help fans turn watch parties into full-on flavor celebrations. The idea is simple: rival teams may split the room, but wings and margaritas are universal.

Wings + Margaritas: A Game Day Pairing Worth Building Around

From now through Feb. 8, fans can explore wing-and-cocktail combinations using the new Fans of Flavor pairing generator, built to match Wingstop’s signature flavors with Teremana margarita recipes. It’s a fun way to level up the table—where the food, drinks, and people become the main event. Here are a few standout pairings highlighted in the launch:

• Wingstop Original Hot wings + Teremana® The People’s Margarita for a tropical twist on a classic heat-forward flavor
• Wingstop Spicy Korean Q wings + Teremana® Spicy Margarita for heat that builds and keeps the party going
• Wingstop Garlic Parmesan wings + Teremana® Strawberry Margarita for a fresh, fruity contrast against savory richness

Sweepstakes: Win the Ultimate Game Day Flavor Fest

The partnership also includes a nationwide sweepstakes offering fans a shot at a seriously upgraded watch party. One grand prize winner will receive the Ultimate Game Day Flavor Fest, featuring:

• Wingstop gift cards
• Game day drink funds
• A 75″ TV
• Support for a private bartender and party essentials

Plus, 60 additional winners will each receive Teremana drink cash prizes and a Wingstop gift card—an extra nod to the 60th anniversary of football’s biggest game. Official rules and prize values are available at TeremanaFansofFlavor.com.

“Mana” Meets Flavor: The Point of the Partnership

At its core, this collaboration is built around shared moments—bold taste, good company, and the kind of food-and-drink spread that makes people linger a little longer. Teremana’s brand philosophy centers on Mana—good energy that brings people together—and the pairing concept fits naturally into how fans already celebrate postseason football. “Wingstop has always delivered on bold flavor, and that spirit shows up naturally in how people enjoy Teremana on game day,” said Richard Black, CEO of Teremana® Tequila. “The best game day moments don’t happen by accident, they come from good energy, great flavor, and the people you share them with.”

Three Teremana Margarita Recipes to Try at Home

If you’re hosting—or just want to bring a little “Fans of Flavor” energy to your next game day meal—Teremana shared three margarita recipes designed to pair with Wingstop favorites.

Teremana® The People’s Margarita

Paired with Wingstop Original Hot Wings Ingredients

• 2 oz Teremana Blanco
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ½ oz agave nectar
• 1 oz pineapple juice (to taste)

Preparation

• Combine all ingredients and shake with ice in a cocktail shaker.
• Strain into a chili-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with a lime wheel and pineapple leaves.

Teremana® Spicy Margarita

Paired with Wingstop Spicy Korean Q Wings Ingredients

• 2 oz Teremana Blanco or Reposado
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ½ oz agave nectar
• 2 jalapeño slices (remove seeds)

Preparation

• Muddle jalapeños in a shaker.
• Add Teremana, lime juice, and agave.
• Shake with ice.
• Strain into a chili-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with jalapeño slices.

Teremana® Strawberry Margarita

Paired with Wingstop Garlic Parmesan wings Ingredients

• 2 oz Teremana Blanco
• 1 oz strawberry puree
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ½ oz agave nectar

Preparation

• Combine all ingredients and shake with ice in a cocktail shaker.
• Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with a strawberry slice and lime wheel.

Where to Follow + Learn More

Fans can follow along for pairing inspiration and sweepstakes updates at @teremana and @wingstop. For more information—and to find a Teremana retailer near you—visit Teremana.com/FansofFlavor. Source: Teremana Tequila (PRNewswire, Jan. 9, 2026) Resource link: Teremana Fans of Flavor Sweepstakes + Pairing Generator Learn more and find a Teremana retailer near you

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

The Viral Backlash: How a Chef, a TikTok Influencer, and One Moment Changed a San Francisco Restaurant

In mid-2025, a San Francisco restaurant found itself at the center of a viral controversy—not because of its food, but because of an interaction between a well-known chef and a TikTok food influencer. The incident sparked a broader conversation about power, professionalism, and the growing influence of social media in the hospitality industry.

What Happened at Kis Cafe

The incident involved Chef Luke Sung, a respected name in the Bay Area culinary scene, and a TikTok micro-influencer known online as @itskarlabb. The influencer had been invited to Kis Cafe for a planned promotional collaboration. According to the influencer, during her visit the chef questioned her follower count—around 15,000 at the time—and allegedly implied that her audience was not the “type of people” who would dine at his restaurant. She later described the exchange as humiliating and dismissive. After leaving the restaurant, she shared her experience in a TikTok video. The post quickly went viral, gaining millions of views and triggering a wave of online backlash.

The Internet Reacts

Although the influencer initially did not name the restaurant or the chef, internet users quickly identified Kis Cafe. The restaurant’s review pages were flooded with criticism, and the incident became a flashpoint in online discussions about elitism, influencer culture, and accountability. Within days, Kis Cafe issued a public apology and announced that Luke Sung was no longer affiliated with the restaurant in any capacity.

Chef Luke Sung Responds

Chef Sung later released a public apology, acknowledging that his behavior was condescending and inappropriate. He stated that there were no excuses for the way he treated the influencer and accepted responsibility for the incident. The apology, however, did little to slow the momentum of public reaction.

The Restaurant Closes — and Reopens

Not long after the controversy, Kis Cafe announced it would close. In the months that followed, the space reopened under a new name, Bosque, with new leadership and no involvement from Sung. The rebrand was seen as a clear attempt to move forward and distance the business from the viral episode.

The Influencer Effect

Meanwhile, the influencer at the center of the controversy saw her follower count surge dramatically, growing from a modest audience into hundreds of thousands of followers almost overnight. The incident highlighted the real-world impact that even “micro-influencers” can have—and how a single moment, captured and shared, can reshape careers and businesses.

Why This Story Matters

This controversy underscored a major cultural shift: social media is no longer separate from real-world industries like dining and hospitality. Online platforms can amplify personal experiences into powerful narratives with lasting consequences. As of early 2026, the restaurant operates under a new identity, the chef has stepped away from the project entirely, and the influencer continues to grow her platform. The episode remains a cautionary tale about professionalism, respect, and the power of digital voices. Get The Knowledge. More stories like this are available at STM Daily News.

Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter.  https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/