Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

Turmeric, the Golden Spice

This delightful orange rhizome has a long history in several forms of traditional medicine, used to treat breathing problems, rheumatism and various skin disorders. In food, turmeric (Curcuma longa, Zingiberaceae) offers bright color and pungent flavor to both sweet and savory dishes! Join me as I explore the fascinating history and use of this health-boosting spice.

#Turmeric #Spice #Antiinflammatory

Rosemary Is For Remembrance

Rosemary is for remembrance… or at least that’s how the saying goes. Did you also know it is for gut health and exhibits strong anti-inflammatory activities? Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, Lamiaceae) is so much more than a culinary herb – its use as a food and medicine dates back by millennia! Join me as I explore the cultural relevance and healthy potential of this fragrant culinary herb.

#Rosemary #Herb #Antiinflammatory

The Genius of Ginger

You may be surprised to learn that a common spice in your cupboard comes with a millennia-long story of use in food and medicine. It’s been used for everything from treating nausea to adding a delightful flavor to some tasty desserts! This spicy root comes with some big health-promoting potential! Join me as I examine the genius of ginger (Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae)!

#Ginger #Spice #Health

Reading Tea Leaves with Seth Goldman

Did you know that there is a plant that has been used as a health beverage ingredient for more than 3,000 years? Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) is a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols and some stimulant ingredients that have made it a leading beverage ingredient across the globe! I sit down to talk with Seth Goldman, Co-Founder of Honest Tea and Executive Chair of Beyond Meat. Join us as we discuss the incredible history and sustainable cultivation of tea.

#Tea #HonestTea #BeverageIndustry

Miracle Fruit: A Miracle in My Mouth

Have you ever flavor-tripped? Put something in your mouth and had a totally unexpected reaction? How does flavor tripping work? In this episode, I take a look at the science behind the magical reaction of miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum, Sapotaceae). 

#MiracleFruit #FlavorTrip #Sweet

Cassava: Poison On My Plate?

What if I were to tell you half a billion people eat a poisonous plant every day? How did this deadly root become a part of the human diet? In this episode, I explore the historic origins and human ingenuity in processing techniques for cassava (Manihot esculenta, Euphorbiaceae).

#Cassava #Tropics #Cyanide

Coffee: Wine of the Bean

What gives coffee its kick? How did this bitter shrub become a part of the human diet? In this episode, I explore the historic origins and chemical medley of the source of this bitter beverage to find out! 

#Coffee #Caffeine #Stimulant

Black Pepper: It hurts so good!

What gives black pepper its heat? How did this jungle vine become a part of the human diet? In this episode, I discuss the historic origins and chemistry of black pepper (Piper nigrum, Piperaceae) and examine its interactions with our pain receptors! 

#BlackPepper #Spicy #Piperine

Foodie Pharmacology Series Preview

Foodie Pharmacology is a food podcast built for the food curious, the flavor connoisseurs, chefs, science geeks, foodies and adventurous taste experimenters out in the world! So, join me on this adventure through history, medicine, cuisine and molecules as we explore the amazing pharmacology of our foods.

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Dr. Cassandra Quave is an American ethnobotanist, herbarium curator, and assistant professor at Emory University. Her research focuses on analyzing wild plants used in traditional cultures for food and medicine to combat some of the greatest challenges we face today in medicine: antibiotic resistant infections and cancer. 

#Podcast #Science #Food