In today's episode we are going to travel to the Mediterranean area to find out about the so called Chinese strawberry tree...the madroño tree and fruit, a not so known delicacy

A fragrant journey into the anthropology of vanilla, from its sacred origins with the Totonac people of Mexico to its entanglement with colonialism, global trade, and the delicate hand-pollination that keeps it alive today.

In this episode we will be talking about okra’s misunderstood textures, its global lineage, and the memories it stirs in kitchens around the world.

In this episode we will travel a crunchy, spicy journey into how one humble root became a cultural chameleon.

From Mediterranean kitchens to family memories, we explore how one vegetable carries centuries of culture to even becoming a popular emoji.

A playful dive into the artichoke’s hidden heart, part food, part metaphor, part laughter. We peel back its layers to explore tenderness, resilience, and the joy found in simple things.

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of cinnamon and why this humble bark has shaped cuisines, cultures, and even economies. We explore its surprising health connections, its role in history, and the science behind its unmistakable aroma.

In this episode of Anthropology Bites, we explore cacao’s bittersweet journey, from its sacred origins in Mesoamerican rituals to its transformation into a global commodity. Along the way, we uncover stories of mythology, nutrition, colonial conflicts, and modern reinventions, showing how cacao continues to shape culture, beauty, and community across the world.