What's the Difference?: Recreational Culinary Reference for the Curious and Confused

What's the Difference?: Recreational Culinary Reference for the Curious and Confused

by Brette Warshaw

4.6 (120)

4.6 stars from 120 reviews


$2.99KU85% off peak

Last checked: Jun 12, 2026

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Fans of these authors will like this...

  • Samin Nosrat
  • J. Kenji López-Alt
  • Alton Brown

Fans of these books will like this...

  • Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
  • The Food Lab
  • I'm Just Here for the Food

Perfect for you if...

  • You cook regularly and get tripped up by similar ingredients or techniques that seem interchangeable but apparently aren't.
  • You like having a quick reference for food trivia that actually explains the 'why' behind the differences.
  • You enjoy dipping into a book a few pages at a time without needing to read it cover to cover.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You're looking for full recipes and cooking instructions rather than clarification on ingredients and terms.
  • You prefer dense, academic food writing over conversational, witty explanations.
  • You're not interested in the kitchen and won't consult a food reference book regularly.

About this book

A reference guide by Brette Warshaw, creator of the popular What's the Difference? newsletter, that clarifies confusion over similar culinary terms, techniques, and dishes. The book covers more than 100 topics, including distinctions between types of flour, cured meats, dairy products, preserved fruits, vegetables, and caramel-based confections. Featuring 70 percent new material alongside favorite entries from the newsletter, the book addresses questions home cooks and food enthusiasts commonly encounter—such as the differences between sweet potatoes and yams, bourbon and rye, or crumbles, cobblers, and crisps. Illustrated throughout, it serves as a practical reference for both novices and experienced cooks seeking clarity on culinary terminology and preparation methods.

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Free$9.74$19.49Sep '20Apr '24Jul '25Feb '26
$1.99$19.49

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 85% off peak. Price has dropped 20 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 46 days.

Sales Rank

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#1,727#1,813,139#3,624,551Apr '21Apr '22Nov '23May '26

Currently around #107K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Climbing the charts — 67% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

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4.0★4.5★5.0★Jul '23Jun '24Jan '26Apr '26RatingReviews

Currently 4.6★ from 120 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.6 over the tracking period.

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Free$9.74$19.49Sep '20Apr '24Jul '25Feb '26PredictedJun '26

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $19.49.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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Brette Warshaw

1 book on Vagrant Press

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