Ashlen Wilder
Expertise
Food Culture, Vegetarian & Vegan Diets, Global Gastronomy
- Ashlen worked on farms in Hawaii and Costa Rica to learn how food and agriculture systems work.
- She lived in Mexico City for a year, tried huitlacoche, learned to dance salsa, and drank mezcal.
- Ashlen published her first book, "Vegan in a Van: Healthy, Plant-Based Recipes on the Road," in 2020 and is close to finishing her second, "Eat for the Earth: A Beginner's Guide to Eating Sustainably."
Experience
Ashlen has worked as a writer and editor for six years, beginning her career as a food technology journalist for The Spoon. Since then, she has continued to write about the future of food, restaurants, and agriculture. She loves learning about food culture through travel and how certain foods have played important roles throughout history. Her favorite foods from abroad include fresh pasta in Italy, matcha donuts in Tokyo, and tlacoyos in Mexico. Ashlen runs a newsletter called "Wildhaus" on Substack, where she shares about writing and living abroad.
Education
Ashlen holds an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in writing and sustainable agribusiness from CU Denver in Colorado. She also holds an integrative nutrition certificate from UCSD and a 200-hour yoga teacher certification.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Ashlen Wilder
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Coffee lovers know that the absolute best way to ensure a fresh, great-tasting brew is to grind their own beans. And the same is true when making matcha powder!
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Tiquira is the oldest known spirit in Brazil, and outside of the state of Maranhão, it's still relatively obscure. Get to know the intriguing spirit.
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Iced Americanos are the #1 drink of choice in South Korea, but an unconventional beverage that combines tea, espresso, and fruity flavors is on the come-up.
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Fresh figs are delicious and surprisingly versatile, but they don't stay fresh for long on the countertop. Here's how to store them so they last.
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It makes sense that ancient civilizations discovered the pleasures of drinking fermented grape juice, but it may surprise you where wine actually originated.
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You'll need to thaw out those frozen bananas before incorporating them into any recipe that will be baked. There are several methods to use, but which is best?
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When you picture an avocado chances are you're thinking of the Hass variety. Elevate your guacamole by using a different type of avocado.
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A bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich is already pretty perfect, but you can upgrade a BLT considerably with the addition of one common vegetable.
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The refreshing citrusy taste of a beer shandy is made even better by incorporating sweet, spicy ginger, whether you use ginger ale, syrup, or something else.
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If you've ever enjoyed cauliflower wings at a restaurant, you know crispiness is key. At home, an air fryer can help deliver this result.
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Yuzu isn't one of the most common citrus options in the U.S., but it absolutely deserves to take the place of lemon in your homemade salad dressing.
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Fruit is a hot commodity in Japan, with only the freshest, most aesthetically pleasing varieties considered worthy and often given as gifts to loved ones.
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Cooking outside is a fun adventure. However, it's important to strategically set up your storage station so you can cook your food safely and conveniently.
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Homemade soft pretzels are a fluffy, buttery treat. However, if you're vegan or can't tolerate dairy, you might be able to use plant-based butter instead.
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Canned dolmas are the only convenient option at times, but it's possible to make them taste fresher and more flavorful.
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Depending on where you live, you could be a veritable sommelier without knowing exactly what a claret wine is. Let's break down this confusing term.
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After a period of prohibition, Iceland eventually let hard liquor back on the market under tighter regulations, but beer remained banned far longer.
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Before you trek out into the wilderness, it's crucial to not only double check that you've packed everything you need but to test out your gear too.
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You've probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but is it really? Or is that phrase just an old marketing slogan?
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When it's hot outside, you might be tempted to brew your Nespresso directly over ice to cool it down, but that would be a potentially costly mistake.
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White and green asparagus have a lot in common, but their price tags are very different due to the work that goes into growing and harvesting white asparagus.
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Instead of the common pressing method, a quick soak in boiling water will give you bouncy and supple tofu that works perfectly in a range of dishes.