FOOD HISTORY

Which food has done the most to shape human development? Like a lot of interesting questions, it’s kind of impossible to answer.

In this episode of "Food History," host Justin Dodd tells us the story of coffin bread—a dish that is not nearly as morbid as its name suggests.

Collectively, coffee and tea have been credited as catalysts for everything from the Enlightenment to the Opium Wars.

Hot sauce wasn't always considered a staple of pantries around the world. If you've ever wondered who invented Tabasco sauce, or what Scoville Heat Units really measure, read on.

From their dark roots to their migration to America, gummy bears play a large role in the history of candy.

Tacos de canasta (or “basket tacos”) were not the first tacos ever made, but their origin is inextricably linked with the history of that culinary classic.

The story of this quintessential American food begins with the invention of sausages thousands of years ago. Where it goes from there is more complicated.

Open your takeout containers, break apart your disposable chopsticks, and dig into the cuisine of the Chinese diaspora.

Celebrate National Peanut Butter Day with a World War I-era recipe for peanut loaf or peanut butter soup.

This Japanese yogurt drink became a Twitter sensation after it appeared in a 2018 Netflix teen comedy—learn more about the history of Yakult here.

From ancient Mesopotamia to New York deli counters, pickles have played a vital role in the global culinary scene. But where do pickles come from, and how did the cucumber become the standard-issue pickling vegetable in the States?

In the 50-plus years since they were first introduced, Pocky sticks have taken the world by storm. Learn more about the history of this popular Japanese snack food here.