Expertise
Trader Joes, Iced Coffee, Viral Food Trends
- Despite the fact that it almost gave her heatstroke, Sonora's favorite day of work at The Sacramento Bee was when she and the rest of that summer's interns were sent to taste and review all the food at the California State Fair.
- Before joining the Daily Meal, her favorite piece of food writing she'd done was about genetically modified space lettuce used to help astronauts' bones retain density while in orbit.
- Her enthusiastic endorsement of Trader Joes' squiggly noodles has convinced at least six people to try them (you should add to that number).
Experience
Sonora has worked as a reporter since high school, when writing a feature on a professional juggler made her fall in love with the job. Most recently, she served as the editor-in-chief of The California Aggie, UC Davis' student-run newspaper, where some of her proudest accomplishments were launching a podcast, setting up a coffee station at the office, and bringing back the paper's annual satire issue for the first time since the early 2000s. She also spent time as a copy reader, science and technology staff writer, and campus news desk editor for The Aggie, as well as spending one summer interning for The Sacramento Bee, and another as a news anchor for Nevada County Now. And yes — she has made the viral Olympic Village muffin recipe. And they were delicious.
Education
Sonora has a bachelor's degree in managerial economics and professional writing from UC Davis.
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If you love anything chocolate, you should try chocolate espresso beans. If the caffeine gives you pause, here's how many beans it takes to equal a cup of joe.
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Shopping
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If you're a fan of fast food style smash burgers, there's good news on your horizon because Aldi is bringing them back to its shelves.
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We all have those comfort foods that we just can't get enough of. For culinary personality Ree Drummond, it's this delicious, classic chicken dish.
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The only thing better than coffee ice cream is making this grown-up sweet treat yourself. Here's the best way to add coffee flavor to homemade ice cream.
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Can you guess which world-famous chocolate bar was named after a family's race horse? Here's more about the history of how this popular treat got its name.
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While fast food fans appreciate Shake Shack for its many sandwiches, snacks, sides, and desserts, there's one burger that you shouldn't overlook.
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Eggs are a staple breakfast food right across the world, but how did they rise to such an esteemed position on the global breakfast plate in the first place?
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The history of food often reflects the hard times that humanity has faced in the past, and one dish particularly evident of this is the WWII Ration Cake.
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The California burrito offers the delicious intersection between Mexican and American culinary fare, all in a warm flour tortilla.
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Dining out comes with certain expectations, including free water. But are restaurants actually required to serve you complementary H20? Here's what to know.
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Thinking of throwing away that old baking pan you don't use anymore? Stop right there! There's a way to upcycle it into a nifty piece of kitchen decor.
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Restaurants
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When you imagine fast food, places like McDonald's or Taco Bell come to mind, but what about pizza chains? We definitively answer if they're fast food or not.
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There are plenty of different kinds of cacti out there, but not all of them are safe for drinking. Here's what you need to know about drinking cactus water.
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Shopping
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Learn more about why Costco is the best place to shop for new kitchen appliances and explore what you should consider before making a big purchase.
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Boost your espresso’s flavor with one simple trick before grinding your beans, and learn about the surprising science behind how and why it works.
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This Easter, chocolate bunnies are just the start. Be sure to also fill those baskets with the country's favorite holiday treat, which is a longtime classic.
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If you're a fan of cold brew coffee but you don't know from beans about the Kyoto-style chilled brewing method, you're missing out. Here's what to know.
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Pancake mix typically includes flour, sugar, baking powder or baking soda, and salt, the pillars of a simple base for many baked goods, making it an easy DIY.
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Cocktails are refreshing whether they pack a punch or not. Here are five of the best low-alcohol mixed drinks to imbibe according to an expert.
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Ever wondered how happy hour came to be? These late-afternoon and early-evening discounts date back to before Prohibition, but have evolved plenty since.
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While Americans often don’t drink coffee at night for fear of disturbing their sleep, Italians have espresso after dinner - and it’s not such a bad idea.
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Getting ketchup out of the bottle is an age-old problem, but as this TikTok tip points out, there’s an easier way to squeeze ketchup from upside-down bottles.
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If you've ever wanted a full coffee bar setup at home but stopped short of going for it, you should reconsider. Putting one together is easier than you realize.
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Reese's peanut butter cups are the ultimate if you love both chocolate and peanut butter. You can DIY this classic yourself with only three ingredients.
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Understanding why Europe thought tomatoes were poisonous doesn’t require extensive research. Delve into the myths and misconceptions that led to this belief.
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Cutting a pineapple can be intimidating, but if you take inspiration from the traditions of Laos and Thailand, you can easily cut it like a pro.
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Shopping
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Trader Joe's pasta sauces are excellent for quick weeknight meals and planned sit-down dinners. We only wish they'd bring back this versatile fan-favorite.
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