J.D. Hansen

Location

Montana, USA

School

Goucher College, Towson University, Audubon Expedition Institute, Lesley University

Expertise

Recipe Tester, Intrepid Baker, Hobbyist Brewer

As an avid home chef and recipe tester for cookbook writers, J.D. Hansen is obsessed with "The Great British Baking Show" and often has her nose in J. Kenji López-Alt's book "The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science."
She is a beer snob (though she doesn't like IPAs — life is full of enough bitterness; she doesn't need it in her beer). Her partner is a home brewer, and they always have three beers on tap.
J.D. loves writing about and shooting photos of Vertical Harvest — a sustainable farming enterprise that focuses on hiring people with disabilities.

Experience

J.D. Hansen has been a journalist and photographer for more than two decades and has won national and regional awards for her reporting. She has worked in a variety of vocations and avocations, including building floats for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, caring for costumes for "Stars on Ice," and painting scenery for MTV. She became a staunch disability advocate after discovering her own challenges stemmed from an ADDled brain (ADHD). She is a recovering triathlete based in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. There, she enjoys everything the area offers, including backcountry skiing, cycling, and taking her "office" outdoors.

Education

J.D. Hansen has a bachelor's in education.

The Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.

Our team also regularly reviews and updates articles as necessary to ensure they are accurate. For more information on our editorial process, view our full policies page.

Stories By J.D. Hansen

Culture

The Superstitious Origins Behind Why Bananas Are Considered Bad Luck On Boats

Ahoy, landlubber! Bringing bananas aboard boats is considered bad luck by many a captain. We explore the intriguing history behind this maritime superstition.

Read More
Grocery

Publix Opened Its Very First Grocery Store In This Southern State

Publix founder George W. Jenkins was a Georgia native. But that wasn't the Southern state where he opened his first grocery store back in 1930.

Read More
Kitchen

Thailand's Trendy Jelly Beer Is The Best Drink To Beat The End-Of-Summer Heat

As summer draws to a close, there may still be days when you crave an ice-cold drink. Though hard to find in stores, you can make Thailand's jelly beer at home.

Read More
Kitchen

The Tell-Tale Signs Your Nuts Have Gone Rancid

It seems we always have nuts on hand, but sometimes for quite a while. So how do you tell if they've gone rancid? Here are all the signs to look for.

Read More
Facts

What Are Esters In Home-Brewed Beer And What Do They Do?

If you're thinking of brewing up your own beer at home, then you need to know about esters. Here's what they are, and how to manage them for the best brew.

Read More
Kitchen

The Secret To Spotless Baking Sheets Is Hiding In Your Pantry

Baking sheets can get sticky, stuck-on spots that can be tough to remove. Return your sheet pans to shiny perfection with this pantry staple.

Read More
Culture

The Possible Reason Some Americans Refer To Soda As 'Pop'

Why do some order a 'pop' while others ask for a 'soda' when they want a bubbly beverage? Here's a brief history of how the same drink got different names.

Read More
Kitchen

Soak Your Sweet Potato Fries For The Crispiest Results Imaginable

Soggy sweet potato fries are sadly a common sight, but they don't have to be. Take this crispy tip and simply soak them pre-fry. Here's what you need to know.

Read More