Savor

Despite (or perhaps due to) its simplicity, this drink is one of the most popular cocktails on the planet. In this classic cocktail (half-)hour, Anney and Lauren walk through the history and science behind the whiskey sour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This appliance was created to take the fuss out of cooking rice – but modern models can do a lot more than that. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history behind rice cookers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This British sci-fi franchise has nearly 60 years' worth of lore, including foods from restorative celery to fish fingers and custard. Anney and Lauren dive into the wibbly-wobbly, semi-fictional foods of 'Doctor Who'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This method of cooking – developed by necessity to be low, slow, and local – delivers rich flavors and textures. Anney and Lauren dig into the history of Jamaican jerk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This brand of gelatin and pudding dessert mixes has been adding wiggle/jiggle to American tables for over a century. Anney and Lauren explore the science and history of Jell-O.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 19th century agricultural disaster, a tiny insect destroyed two-thirds of all European wine grape vineyards over the course of 40 years, changing the wine industry forever. Anney and Lauren explore the science and history of grape phylloxera and the Great French Wine Blight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This popular American condiment descended from fermented fish sauce and had a hand in creating the FDA. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dip into the non-Newtonian science and fancy history of ketchup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This simple, sweet-and-tart beverage has inspired a few legends – but its true history may be stranger than fiction. Anney and Lauren dip into the science and stories behind lemonade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though often used in manufacturing and medicine, this lemony spice is a brilliant way to make dishes pop. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of sumac.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These small, oily fish are an important part of the food chain – and local cuisine – wherever they live. Anney and Lauren dip into the biology and history of sardines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These cooktops work by heating not the element under a pan, but rather the pan itself. Anney and Lauren explore the electromagnetic science and history of induction cooking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This sweetener is rare in the United States today, but it’s seen us through any number of times when granulated sugar was scarce. Anney and Lauren dip into the history and science of sweet sorghum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This category of fluffy, creamy dishes can consist of almost anything – but all include air as a main component. Anney and Lauren explore the science and history of mousse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This category of beverages is often brewed like any other beer, then treated to remove the alcohol while preserving the flavor. Anney and Lauren explore the science and history behind low- and no-alcohol beers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These bean pods are widely eaten as a vegetable before their beans develop – but how they’re cooked differs just as widely. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of green beans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly Frey, host of Stuff You Missed in History Class, sits down with Kris McDaniel and Andi Gordon, two winners of the Seneca Women to Hear: Search for the Next Great Female Podcasters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Japanese snacking staple can go in lots of directions, but it all starts with seasoned rice. Anney and Lauren fill in the history and culture of onigiri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This brand of frozen, breakfast-oriented foods was the first to make waffles a no-cook convenience. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dig into the history and stranger things about Eggo waffles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We turn once again to stories from you, excellent listeners! Spoon collections, Chocobo questions, and celebrations of various kinds feature large in this one – plus, how mispronunciations bring us together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This form of coffee is highly extracted thanks to the specialized, pressurized-steam process of making it. Anney and Lauren pull out the history and science behind espresso.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Set in a dystopian future, this media franchise deals deeply with how hunger can be weaponized – and how food brings us together. Anney and Lauren explore the semi-fictional food of The Hunger Games books and films.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cookware made with this material is tough but sensitive, old-fashioned but popular again. Anney and Lauren demystify the science and history of cast-iron cookware.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These sweet fruits are nutritionally dense, self-preserving, and delightful alone or in all kinds of dishes. Anney and Lauren delve into the science and history of dates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banned for a century in many places, absinthe is officially back on the market. But was it ever dangerous in the first place? In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren drink in the history and science behind absinthe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Any entry from this category of velvety blended sauces is the star of whatever dish it appears with. Anney and Lauren dip into the history and culture of moles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These brilliant blue flowers create food dyes capable of shifting from indigo to magenta and back. Anney and Lauren dip into the history and science behind the butterfly pea flower.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mailbag returns at the hour of the galaxy’s greatest need! From recipes to wine tips and Kit-Kats to coffee, we share more stories from you, dear listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This beloved regional soda brand has become synonymous with nerve and verve. Anney and Lauren explore the history and fandom behind Moxie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This tangy Spanish sheep’s milk cheese is thousands of years in the making. Anney and Lauren dig into the history of Manchego.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These basic utensils are bent to all kinds of applications: cooking, serving, eating, gifting, collecting, and beyond. Anney and Lauren explore the strange history of spoons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This bitter and pungent root vegetable adds bite to condiments, dishes, and holiday celebrations. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of horseradish.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around Easter, lamb-shaped cakes, candies, and butter sculptures grace tables around Central Europe and beyond. Anney and Lauren dig into the sticky science and history of lamb-shaped treats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These small berries are behind the flavor ‘purple’ throughout most of Europe, but they're almost unknown in the United States. Anney and Lauren dig into the curious case of currants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hydra-esque brand has been variously involved in the baking business for 150 years. Anney and Lauren explore the turns and twists of Pillsbury.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosciutto crudo from Parma, Italy is the world’s most famous – and most frequently fraudulent. Anney and Lauren explore the production laws and true crime behind prosciutto di Parma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This adaptable white wine can come young or old, sweet or dry, mineral or creamy – but always with a one-two acid-honey punch. Anney and Lauren peer through the history and science of Riesling grapes and wines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should you find yourself in an unfamiliar star system without your copy of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', this classic episode will help fill you in on the local fare, from perfectly normal beast sandwiches to pan galactic gargle blasters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This beverage is quick and easy to make thanks to a long, complex history of technological innovations. Anney and Lauren brew up the science and history of instant coffee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This complex spice adds a flavorful, slightly hot, strangely numbing punch to dishes around China and beyond. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of Sichuan pepper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This fresh cheese gets its spring and string from being worked like a dough as it’s made. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of mozzarella.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This savory sausage, often served at breakfast, traditionally gets its rich color and flavor from blood. Anney and Lauren dig into the history and etymology of black pudding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This tropical tree fruit inspires some serious fandom (and research). Anney & Lauren dig into the sweet science and history of mangoes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This flexible, durable, lightweight metal foil changed how we preserve foods — once it became less expensive than gold. Anney and Lauren take a shine to the science and history behind aluminum foil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the biggest fast food chain in the world, but this behemoth has humble beginnings. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren explore the ambitions and intrigue that made the McDonald's McEmpire what it is today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This classic New Orleans cocktail is almost as storied as the city that created it. Anney and Lauren dip into the history of the Sazerac. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This television series and its following films feature detailed depictions of Edwardian-era dining from the perspective of both the aristocratic class and those who served them – with a dose of snark from each. Anney and Lauren explore the semi-fictional foods of ‘Downton Abbey’. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This long, skinny loaf of bread is deceptively simple and deeply loved. Anney and Lauren tear into the history and science behind the baguette. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These large, lovely flowers each bear hundreds of seeds, prized for snacking and oil production alike. Anney and Lauren stick by ya -- and by the history and science of the sunflower. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These small utensils, most often made of disposable wood, bamboo, or plastic, find use across all kinds of hygienic and structural applications. Anney and Lauren take a stab at the history and science behind toothpicks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one-pot, rice-based main dish has infinite iterations that all come down to comfort. Anney and Lauren dig into the history and science behind biryani. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.