If you’ve ever felt stumped by the words a food blogger, culinary TV host, or foodie is using then you’re not alone. They really are speaking a different language. The language of food contains hundreds of cooking and baking terms, not to mention all the names and varieties of the food we grow, buy, and cook. And considering that many of our cooking terms come from the French, Italian, Indian, and Spanish languages, food is a language all-its-own!

In the fall of 2011, we looked at 30ish food words like umami, braise, risotto, and torte. The grammar geek within me was begging for more, so…

Here is a short list of head-scratching food terms that will further your culinary prowess: