Savor

This traditional lager was the most popular beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest for a century. Anney and Lauren dip into the bottom-fermenting science and barmy history of märzen and other Oktoberfest beers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ‘crab’ in your California roll and seafood salad is almost certainly an imitation made up of other seafood that’s been shaped and flavored to resemble crab legs. Anney and Lauren crack open the science of surimi and the history of krab sticks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This buttery-sweet tree nut makes a tasty snack, milk, or ingredient – but its fruit is poisonous. But but: Its apple is not! Anney and Lauren break down the science and history of the cashew tree, nut, and apple. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This spicy-savory-salty-funky-sweet sauce is the product of thousands of years of fermentation tradition. Anney and Lauren dip into the science and history of gochujang. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These pretty, meringue-based cookies are a delightful treat – but can be a disaster to attempt making. Anney and Lauren explore the convoluted history and complex structural science of macarons. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This often inexpensive, sometimes maligned method of packaging wine has a history steeped in intrigue. Anney and Lauren dip into the environmental science and crime-ridden history of boxed wine. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This lightly anise-flavored vegetable is used for its bulb, stalks, fronds, and seeds alike. Anney and Lauren dig into the science and history of fennel. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These often sugary, heavily advertised products all root from an ascetic health food movement in the 1800s. Anney and Lauren explore the strange history and gun-puffed science of breakfast cereals. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oysters were one of humanity's first foods, and they've remained ragingly popular ever since. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dive into the biology and bloody history (piracy! murder!) behind oysters. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This branch of food science studies the physics, chemistry, and creative art of making food. Anney and Lauren explore the difficult definitions and delightful nerdery behind molecular gastronomy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These vehicles don’t just bring frozen desserts to their customers – they can bring neighborhoods together. Anney and Lauren explore the history and music of ice cream trucks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These small, preserved flavor bombs are made from flower buds. Anney and Lauren investigate the salty science and history of capers and caperberries. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you need just a sprinkle of seasoning, salt and pepper shakers are a practical solution – but the designs people create for these everyday objects can be spectacular. Anney and Lauren explore the opulent history and kitschy culture of condiment casters. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anney and Lauren once again dig into the virtual listener mail bag and discuss the good, the bad, and the vodka. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marshmallows in one form or another (hearts, stars, and horseshoes included) have been enjoyed for thousands of years and involve some serious science. This is no fluff piece, is what we're saying. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a simple mix of rum, mint, lime, and sugar, this cocktail has inspired a complex blend of love and hate. Anney and Lauren dip into the uncertain history and contentious culture of the mojito. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This brand of bright-colored drink mixes dates to the 1920s and owes its place it pop culture to an anthropomorphic pitcher. Anney and Lauren explore the history of Kool-Aid and its enthusiastic mascot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This tropical fruit is famously delectable and infamously finicky to grow. Anney and Lauren dig into the history and horticulture of the mangosteen. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edna Lewis was a Black Southern chef and writer who deeply influenced the movement toward fresh, seasonal American cuisine. Anney and Lauren dip into the life, career, and legacy of this sometimes unsung culinary hero. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you count vampirism, this show was technically all about food. Anney and Lauren buff up on the sometimes magical, sometimes metaphorical foods and drinks featured in the television series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many pufferfish contain a deadly neurotoxin – and that’s part of why they’re a delicacy in some cuisines. Anney and Lauren dip into the swell science and strange history of eating pufferfish. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These cryogenic storage facilities are a newfangled way to accomplish an old goal: preserving seeds for later study and use. Anney and Lauren explore the science and history behind seed banks and vaults. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This brand of mass-produced canned pasta dishes started in the kitchen of an actual Italian American chef – Ettore Boiardi – whose picture is still on the packaging. Anney and Lauren dig into the history of Chef Boyardee. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This simple, refreshing staple cocktail wouldn't exist if it weren't for heart disease and malaria. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren trace the history of gin and tonic water -- and explain the science of why they're so tasty together. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive back into the mail bag for more stories from y’all excellent listeners, including (but not limited to!) pizza sacrilege, invasive ranch, vintage ads, and elusive egg hunts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.