There is probably no other one food so generally liked.

It has a decided and agreeable flavor, a satisfactory "chew," and leaves an after-sense of being well fed that many take as the sign of whether they are well nourished or not.

It digests well, even when eaten rapidly, and perhaps partly for this reason is favored by the hurried man of affairs.

It is easy to prepare and hence is appreciated by the cook, who knows that even with unskillful treatment it will be acceptable and require few accessories to make an agreeable meal.

Its rich flavor helps to relieve the flatness of foods like rice, hominy, beans, or bread.