With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to watch your step and stay out of trouble – the ghouls are on the loose this week. But if, like us, you’ll be spending the bewitched weekend in the kitchen, and you think you’re safe from any ghostly activities, think again. Some of the spookiest food superstitions involve the kitchen, and we’re here to make sure you stay safe this Halloween.

1. Spilling Salt

Probably the most well-known superstition, because we all know not to risk inviting bad luck into our lives. Even creepier though, is the idea of tossing salt over your left shoulder. Legend goes that the devil is always standing behind you, and tossing salt over your shoulder into his eye will distract him from stealing your soul. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?

Learn all about the different types of salt.

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2. Cracking Egg Shells

Watch out – the next time you crack a couple of eggs, be sure to smash up the empty shells before discarding them. Why? Well, if you don’t, a witch will gather up the shells, fashion herself a boat, set sail and unleash terrible storms at sea. Good to know.

Learn about different types of eggs.

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3. Always Mark Your Bread!

Ever had trouble with bread that just won’t rise? Well, one explanation could be the devil sitting on it and ruining it. Apparently, if you don’t mark a cross at the top of your loaf before baking, the devil will make himself right at home on your bread and prevent it from rising. Similarly, if you cut open your bread to find a large hole or bubble, someone will apparently die because the shape represents a coffin – creepy!

Try these tasty bread recipes

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4. Knives Break Bonds

Be careful who you gift knives to, as they are believed to sever relationships. The best way to keep everything intact is to make sure that the person receiving the knife gives you a coin to ‘pay’ for it, thus making the exchange a transaction, not a gift.

Find out which knives aspiring cook should own. 

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5. Shout ‘Bread and Butter’

If you’re walking with someone that’s very important to you and an obstacle comes between you that forces you to separate and walk on either side, simply shout ‘bread and butter’. This will prevent any rifts between you, and you will remain as close as butter smeared on bread.

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6. Stir Clockwise, Or Else…

Despite what your elocution teacher may have said, if you pour milk into your tea before adding your sugar, you may never get married. However, undissolved sugar at the bottom of the cup may mean that someone is in love with you. But, be careful when stirring – move anticlockwise and you conjure up the devil, and if the tag falls off, then you’re in for some bad luck. You really do risk it all when brewing up a cuppa!

Learn all about the different types of tea.

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7. Coffee Bubbles Will Dissolve Your Money Troubles

A little strapped for cash? Your coffee may solve your money troubles, apparently. If you’re drinking a cup of coffee with bubbles on the surface, you should spoon them up and eat them, this will bring some money into your future.

Learn everything you need to know about coffee, plus cook with coffee!

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8. Don’t Pass the Jalapeños!

Next time you order Mexican food and your friend asks you to ‘pass the jalapeños’, don’t pass it directly to them, rather put it on the table so they can pick it up. Rumour has it that it will cause things to be a little ‘fiery’ between you two and bring discord into the friendship.

Love chilli poppers? Try these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños.

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9. Long Noodles, Long Life

In Chinese culture, noodles represent long life, so never cut or bite them into pieces, otherwise, you’ll be cutting life short. Slurp your noodles instead and stay well-fed and alive.

Check out our tasty recipe for Udon Noodle Broth.

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10. Unlucky Onions

Watch out when working with onions – there’s a belief that dropping them on the floor is akin to throwing your luck away!

Get the recipe for this Miso Butter Charred Onion Potjie.

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11. Garlic Breath Keeps ‘Bad Spirits’ Away

Garlic might bring bad breath, but it will keep vampires away – most likely because of bad breath. For centuries, garlic has been known to ward off vampires and evil spirits. This vampire folklore has been linked to rabies, a disease in which the olfactory system becomes sensitive to strong-smelling foods – garlic being one of them. If you want to stay safe this Halloween, we  recommend leaving a clove of garlic on your kitchen counter or hanging a bunch on your stoep.

Don’t let all that garlic go to waste, make this garlicky Smoked Paprika Spatchcock Chicken.

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12. The Zest Of Life

If you’re fresh out of candy this Halloween, you might be tempted to give trick-or-treaters some fruit instead, but whatever you do, don’t give them oranges – unless you’re looking for love. Apparently, gifting another person an orange will make them fall in love with you.

We’re not sure how true this one is, but you’ll definitely fall in love with this ClemenGold Fudgy Dark Chocolate Skillet Brownie.

Discover some of The World’s Tastiest Accidental Food Inventions.