Cake plays an important role in our lives — mostly helping us celebrate birthdays and other special occasions — but did you know that it also helped give rise to democracy in America? That's just one of the mind-blowing food facts that host Michael McKean — whom you know from Laverne & Shirley, Spinal Tap and Better Call Saul — dished out on the premiere of  Food: Fact or Fiction? and there's plenty more where that came from.

Find out the storied pasts of your favorite desserts — including why syrup-topped ice cream is called a sundae and whether apple pie is  really the most-American treat — when you watch the full premiere online after the jump. One more fact before you go: A new episode airs every Monday at 10:30pm ET.