15 Foods That Were Originally Made for Something Else
These 15 foods started with a different purpose, but ended up in our kitchens and on our plates.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Not every food was meant to be food. Some were made as medicine, science experiments, or even accidents. However, over time, people found new uses — and many of them became everyday favorites.
1. Corn Flakes
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Corn flakes were first made by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg as a bland food for patients at a sanitarium. He believed plain foods helped control certain urges and keep the body pure. The original recipe had no sugar and was part of a strict diet. Later, his brother added sugar and turned it into a cereal for the public.
2. Coca-Cola
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Coca-Cola was created in 1886 as a medicinal tonic. It originally contained coca leaf extract (with cocaine) and kola nut for caffeine. It was marketed to help headaches and fatigue. Over time, the recipe changed, and it became a soft drink instead.
3. 7UP
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When it was first made in 1929, 7UP contained lithium citrate, a mood stabilizer used in psychiatric medicine. It was marketed as a hangover cure and mood booster. The lithium was removed in 1948. Now, it’s just known as a lemon-lime soda.
4. Worcestershire Sauce
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This sauce was created by accident while trying to recreate a flavor from India. The mixture sat forgotten in a basement, fermented, and developed a strong, rich flavor. It was originally too strong to eat fresh. After aging, it became a popular condiment for meats and marinades.
5. Popsicles
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Popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old who accidentally left a cup of soda powder and water with a stick in it outside overnight. The mix froze, and in the morning, he pulled it out by the stick and ate it. He didn’t patent it until years later. What started as a frozen mistake became a summer staple.
6. Potato Chips
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A chef named George Crum sliced potatoes thin and fried them out of frustration with a picky customer. The customer wanted his fried potatoes thinner and crispier. Crum made them paper-thin and extra crisp to prove a point. Instead of complaining, the customer loved them.
7. Tofu
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Tofu likely began as a coagulant experiment while trying to preserve soy milk. Chinese cooks used seawater or mineral salts to make the milk solidify. It wasn’t meant to be a meal at first, but over time, it became a staple protein source in many Asian cuisines.
8. Cheese
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Cheese is believed to have been discovered by accident when milk was stored in containers made from animal stomachs. The natural enzymes in the stomach lining caused the milk to curdle and separate. The curds were edible and had a longer shelf life. People kept making it because it lasted and tasted good.
9. Ketchup
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Ketchup started as a fermented fish sauce from Southeast Asia. The original version didn’t include tomatoes at all. British traders brought it back and adapted the recipe using mushrooms and later tomatoes. It eventually became the tomato condiment we know today.
10. Red Bull
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Red Bull is based on a Thai energy drink called Krating Daeng. It was originally created for truck drivers and laborers to help them stay alert during long hours of work. An Austrian businessman discovered it and adapted it for a Western market. It became popular with students, athletes, and partygoers.
11. Graham Crackers
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Reverend Sylvester Graham invented these as part of a strict vegetarian diet to reduce temptation and promote health. He believed bland foods helped suppress sinful thoughts. They were originally unsweetened and made from whole wheat flour. Today’s sweet version is a far cry from the original purpose.
12. Bubble Wrap
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Not a food, but it almost was a wallpaper idea that turned into packaging. However, it’s also been used to grow lettuce in experimental indoor farms. Researchers discovered the plastic helped retain humidity for seedlings. It never became edible, but it briefly served a food-growing function.
13. Pepsi
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Like Coca-Cola, Pepsi started as a cure for indigestion. It was created by a pharmacist named Caleb Bradham in the 1890s. He called it “Brad’s Drink” before renaming it Pepsi, short for “dyspepsia.” Its sweet, fizzy formula outlived its medical use.
14. Yogurt
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Yogurt began as a natural result of storing milk in warm climates. Bacteria made the milk thick and tangy, lasting longer than fresh milk. It wasn’t made for flavor, just function. Its probiotic benefits were only understood much later.
15. Brandy
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Brandy was originally made by distilling wine to preserve it for transport. Merchants wanted a way to ship wine without it spoiling. They found that distillation concentrated the alcohol and made it last longer. People ended up liking the strong flavor, and brandy became a drink on its own.