Rewind: The History of Mexican Spirits

In Aztec mythology the fertility goddess, Mayahuel, is the personification of the agave plant - the source of some of the most delicious spirits in Mexican culture. Eva and Maite talk about the ritual significance of pulque, a fermented drink, to the introduction of distillation techniques post-con…

Hair of the Dog: New Year’s Edition

Ring in the New Year with Eva and Maite as they explore the story behind the classic “hair of the dog.” They trace where the phrase comes from, how it became a go-to hangover remedy, and why the Bloody Mary earned its place as the ultimate morning-after cocktail. From the rituals and traditions peo…

Kneading Community: Holiday Traditions and Immigrant Breads

This Christmas, Eva and Maite celebrate how bread—and the people who bake it—keep family, tradition, and community alive, even as this season looks different for many immigrant communities. They explore the bakery as a window into history, tracing the journeys of the baguette, pretzels, bagels, and…

The Art of Food Criticism

Who first decided that food deserved a critic? This week on Hungry for History, Eva and Maite dig into the origins of food criticism. From the earliest French tastemakers and the rise of the Michelin Guide to the influence of trailblazers like Duncan Hines, Barbara Hansen, and Jonathan Gold, this e…

Revolutionizing Dining: The French Culinary Impact

Restaurant history tells the story of who we are, what we value, and how culture moves. In this week’s episode of Hungry for History, Eva and Maite explore the impact the French Revolution played in the birth of restaurants and why French Cuisine became the culinary standard. They dive into the con…

How Eating Shapes History - The Mexican Revolution

Tierra y Libertad: Food and the Mexican Revolution In Mexico, revolution was as much about reclaiming the land as it was about reclaiming the kitchen. Over a century after the French Revolution, the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century drew inspiration from ideas of liberty and equality, s…

How Eating Shapes History - The American Revolution

Revolution on the Table: The American Fight for Independence and the Birth of National Identity Before independence was won on the battlefield, it was declared in the kitchen. From boycotts of British tea to the brewing of “Liberty Tea” made from native herbs, Americans turned everyday meals into …

How Eating Shapes History - The French Revolution

Liberté, Égalité… Gastronomie: The French Revolution and the Birth of Modern Cuisine  The French Revolution wasn’t just fought in the streets, it was fought at the table. As bread riots shook Paris and hunger fueled rebellion, the collapse of the aristocracy also dismantled an entire culinary worl…

The Mustard Episode

This week, Eva and Maite serve up the surprisingly spicy history of mustard—from ancient apothecaries to royal tables, the rise of Dijon as the mustard capital of the world, and its journey to the Americas. Along the way, they uncover the mysterious moutardier, or mustard-maker. And Maite quizzes E…

Fritos and Totopos and Doritos, Oh My!

What do sacred crops and chips have in common? Turns out, more than you’d think! In this episode, Eva and Maite uncover how Latin America’s native ingredients - corn and potatoes - went from offerings to the gods to the cornerstone of billion-dollar snack industries. They talk about how the Mexican…