Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

The numbers are startling – 45% of all flowering plants are at risk of extinction. Did you know that replacing part of your lawn with native plants can create a sanctuary for local wildlife and support our planet's biodiversity? This week on the podcast, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Doug Tallamy, New York Times bestselling author of “Nature’s Best Hope” and founder of The Homegrown National Park. They delve into why native plants are essential for a healthy environment, how insects play a crucial role in our ecosystems, and offer practical steps individuals can take to enhance biodiversity in their neighborhoods. #biodiversity #insects #planetaryhealth #nativeplants #podcast

It’s time to turn up the heat! This week on the show, host Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Troy Primeaux of Primo’s Peppers! Troy developed the “7 Pot Primo” pepper, which arguably (and controversially) may just be the hottest pepper in the world. At an average face-melting 1.79 million Scoville heat units, one “7 Pot Primo” pepper is 360 times hotter than a Jalapeño! Troy shares his journey from the garden to creating an award-winning hot pepper sauce company and starring in the Hulu docuseries, Superhot! #pepper #hotsauce #foodie #podcast #superhot #hulu

Food is not just something we eat to fill our stomachs; there is diversity, culture, and nutrition in every bite! This week on the show, host Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Dr. Anna Herforth, senior research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. They discuss the importance of understanding the diversity of diets worldwide from a nutritional perspective and how different cultures' eating habits impact health. Dr. Herforth shares insights into the Global Diet Quality Project, which aims to conduct the first-ever global survey of what people eat, the challenges faced in gathering such data, and the innovative methods used to achieve it. The conversation reveals surprising findings about food diversity, the process of tailoring food surveys to different cultures, and the initiative's broader implications for nutrition and epidemiology research. They also talk about the upcoming launch of the World Food Map, a collaboration with the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, aimed at cataloguing the most common foods in every country and understanding their composition beyond traditional nutrients, emphasizing the critical role of food diversity in health. Happening this week (April 23-24), join Dr. Herforth and the PTFI team for a special symposium "Celebrating food diversity, scientific advances, and community innovation" (online or in person at New York Botanical Garden). More details and how to register at this link. This podcast is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/ Global Diet Quality Project - dietquality.org World Food Map - worldfoodmap.org #nutrition #PTFI #foodways #foodmap #podcast

This week on Foodie Pharmacology, host Dr. Cassandra Quave explores the importance of herbaria, focusing on their critical role in research, biodiversity conservation, and education. Dr. Quave, who became the curator of the Emory University Herbarium in 2012, discusses the challenges herbaria face, including funding and space, as illustrated by the recent closure of Duke University's herbarium. Through her experience and excerpts from relevant publications, Quave emphasizes the indispensable utility of herbaria in documenting plant species, contributing to climate change research, and supporting the discovery of new foods and medicines. She also makes a strong case for the preservation of herbaria, calling for support from the public and emphasizing the potential loss of invaluable resources for future generations if these collections continue to be undervalued and neglected. #herbaria #botany #science

Fermentation is a transformative process that uses microbes to enhance food's flavor and health benefits. In this episode of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast, bestselling authors Kirsten and Christopher Shockey discuss the revised 10th anniversary edition of their book, 'Fermented Vegetables.' The first edition has been translated into 6 languages, a copy is on display in the Kimchi Museum in Seoul, Korea, it has sold over 250K copies. They delve into fermentation's evolution over the past decade, highlighting its significance for gut health and culinary diversity. The Shockeys also share popular recipes from their book, including Lemon Dill Sauerkraut and Curtido, a Salvadoran-inspired sauerkraut, demonstrating fermentation's simplicity, tastiness, and global impact. #fermentation #podcast #sauerkraut #vegetables

The American food system is under the control of a few elite power players. The economic dynamics of the food system not only shape our food culture, but also affect our health. Our guest this week is Austin Frerick, an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. Austin is the author of “Barons: Money, power, and the corruption of America’s food industry”. In his book and in this interview, he describes the stories of seven corporate barons who dominate the food industry, each representing structural issues within the system. We discuss the importance of the Farm Bill, its impact on production, and the monopolization of the industry that profits at the expense of both farmers and consumers. Learn more about Austin’s work and this topic at https://www.austinfrerick.com/ or follow Austin @AustinFrerick on social media.

Did you know a single locust swarm can feed thousands? This week on the show, our guest Dr. Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow explores the world of edible insects and how they could revolutionize our food system. Dr. Meyer-Rochow is an expert in neurobiology and ethnobiological studies; he has been studying the nutritional and ecological benefits of insect consumption, and the cultural shifts affecting entomophagy (the practice of eating insects since the 1970s. Despite early skepticism, Meyer-Rochow highlights how edible insects offer a sustainable alternative with low environmental impact, suitable for addressing food security without the heavyweight of conventional livestock farming. The conversation also touches on the challenges of changing public perception towards insects as food in Western countries and the ongoing erosion of traditional insect-eating practices in countries where it was once common, suggesting the need for innovative approaches to reintegrate insects into the diet. #entomophagy #insects #foodsystems #edibleinsects #sustainability

In this episode of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast, hosted by Dr. Cassandra Quave in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, we meet Sierra Leonean Chef Fatmata Binta. From her nomadic restaurant, Dine on Mats, she advocates for plant diversity, highlighting the importance of overlooked ingredients in food and culture. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with farmers growing ancient grains, particularly as a sustainable and nourishing food source. She focuses on the role of millet and fonio, including their agricultural benefits like making the land drought-resilient and being able to harvest in a short period, as well their nutritional value being gluten-free and high in fiber. Chef Binta stresses the importance of education about these grains, as they not only provide healthful meal options but also have the potential to address broader issues like food security and climate change. #ancientgrains #foodsystems #chef #podcast #FoodiePharmacology #foodie #millet #fonio #grain ********************************* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foodie-pharmacology-podcast/id1453126311 Support the show and grab some fun merch! We have t-shirts, mugs, totes and more available to order here: https://foodiepharmacology.podbean.com/ Want to learn more about the healing power of plants? √ Read my book, The Plant Hunter: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612171/the-plant-hunter-by-cassandra-leah-quave/ √ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Nature’s Pharmacy: https://naturespharmacy.substack.com/ √ Subscribe to my weekly podcast, Foodie Pharmacology: https://foodiepharmacology.podbean.com/ √ Follow me on Instagram & Threads at @QuaveEthnobot: https://www.instagram.com/quaveethnobot/ √ Follow me on Twitter @QuaveEthnobot: https://twitter.com/QuaveEthnobot √ Subscribe to the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeachEthnobotany

Crop wild relatives are the wild plants that are genetically related to our cultivated crops. They act as a treasure trove of genetic diversity that breeders rely on to improve crops and make them more resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Nan McCarry, ethnobotanist and crop wild relative enthusiast! They discuss the subtle relationship between food security and biodiversity, underscoring the need to conserve these wild relatives. Nan elaborates on her experiences collecting land races of potatoes in the Andes and sheds light on how these plants offer resilience to agricultural systems and help safeguard our food future. #CropWildRelatives #Crops #Biodiversity #Food #Ethnobotany

In this episode, Dr. Cassandra Quave hosts the special series 'Treaty Talks,' created in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The interview guest is Dr. Colin Khoury, a crop diversity researcher, who discusses an ambitious global study aiming to gather comprehensive data about crops, their uses, production, trade, conservation, and genetic diversity. The purpose of this study is to inform international negotiations, contribute to understanding of the world's dependence on a range of crops, and to help predict future food supply challenges due to climate change. Khoury emphasizes the importance of crop diversity and suggests that appropriate funding for data repositories and organized reporting is crucial for global food security. Resources: International Plant Treaty: https://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/en/ Study and database “The plants that feed the world”: https://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/areas-of-work/the-multilateral-system/plant_genetic_metrics Presenter: Cassandra Quave Producer: Hedwig de Coo Sound: Gijs de Bakker #foodsecurity #foodsystems #agriculture ********************************* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foodie-pharmacology-podcast/id1453126311 Support the show and grab some fun merch! We have t-shirts, mugs, totes and more available to order here: https://foodiepharmacology.podbean.com/ Want to learn more about the healing power of plants? √ Read my book, The Plant Hunter: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612171/the-plant-hunter-by-cassandra-leah-quave/ √ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Nature’s Pharmacy: https://naturespharmacy.substack.com/ √ Subscribe to my weekly podcast, Foodie Pharmacology: https://foodiepharmacology.podbean.com/ √ Follow me on Instagram & Threads at @QuaveEthnobot: https://www.instagram.com/quaveethnobot/ √ Follow me on Twitter @QuaveEthnobot: https://twitter.com/QuaveEthnobot √ Subscribe to the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeachEthnobotany

Food has always been a means of nourishment and pleasure, but it is also deeply connected to culture and health. In the Pacific Islands, a region rich in unique biodiversity and vibrant food traditions, this connection between food, culture, and health is particularly evident. This week, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Vincent Lal, manager of analytical services at the University of the South Pacific Institute of Applied Sciences, about the diverse dietary consumption patterns and unique foods of the Pacific Islands. Vincent highlights the importance of access and benefit sharing as well as the values of underutilized indigenous foods like 'kava'. The conversation encapsulates efforts to boost food resilience in these island regions, their mission to build a younger generation of regional scientists and their collective hope under the FoodEdu initiative. This podcast is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/ #SouthPacific #Kava #Food #Podcast #Chemistry #PTFI

This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Aaron Dossey about a radical idea in the food industry: the inclusion of insects in the diet! Entomophagy, or the practice of eating insects, is a customary dietary habit in many parts of the world like South and Central America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Notwithstanding cultural norms, the main appeal of entomophagy on a global scale is the high efficiency of insects in food production. Insect proteins are not only efficient; they are also highly nutritious. They are an excellent source of essential amino acids and fatty acids along with low levels of saturated fat. Dr. Dossey's company, All Things Bugs LLC, started its journey in 2011 and became the world's first wholesaler of insect-based food ingredients. The company adopts a method of grinding insects into a powder for spray drying, increasing its versatility for the food industry. #EdibleInsects #Bugs #Insects #Foodie #Podcast #entomophagy

In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology presented by Dr. Cassandra Quave, a collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture facilitates illuminating discussions with different experts focused on plants crucial to our agricultural systems, diets, and health. The onus of this special series is exploring how we can continue feeding our growing global population amidst the looming threat of climate change. This episode features Dr. Geoff Hawtin, a seasoned professional in the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources, who highlights key trends related to crop production, research, gastronomy and sheds light on the Crop Metrics Study. Together, they delve into mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, restoring degraded top soils, utilizing genetic resources, and the importance of crop wild relatives as they ponder if agriculture can adapt to climate change and ensure the world has enough food. #treatytalks #regenerativeagriculture #geoffhawtin #cropmetrics

Our world is full of fascinating plants, many with deep-rooted historical and cultural significance. In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave discusses the significance of ethnobotany with guest, Dr. Sarah Edwards, an ethnobotanist and biodiversity informaticist at the University of Oxford. Edwards is author of a new book, “The Ethnobotanical” (Kew Publishing/ Quercus Book). She shares her journey to becoming an ethnobotanist, from a lucid dream about Australia to working with First Nations communities in the Northern Territory and Cape York Peninsula. The conversation delves into the crucial role of ethnobotanists in the face of ecological crises, the importance of land rights, and the fascinating connections between various plants and human culture. #ethnobotany #podcast #plants #climatechange #traditionalknowledge

In the world of agriculture, the concept of regenerative farming is gaining significant attention. This innovative approach focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity to create a more sustainable and resilient food system. Join Dr. Quave this week as she and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, the Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm, discuss the concept of agroecology, particularly regenerative agriculture. As a researcher and educator, Dr. Lundgren describes his efforts to evolve applied science in ways that foster the evolution of a sustainable and healthy food system. Lundgren shares his journey as a scientist and farmer and his passion for transforming the way science is conducted so it fuels a revolution in regenerative agriculture. He calls for more farmers to adopt practices that support soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and reduced synthetics. Additionally, Lundgren shares insight from the Thousand Farms Initiative, quantifying the systemic performance of regenerative farms across North America. This podcast is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/ #agriculture #PTFI #RegenerativeAgriculture #nutrition #SoilHealth #farm

Did you know that some everyday foods contain natural toxins that have been developing for millions of years? This week, Dr. Quave talks with Dr. Noah Whiteman, an Evolutionary Biology professor from UC Berkeley and the author of the book “The Most Delicious Poison.” They explore how certain poisons in nature work, how they affect us, and their role in the bigger picture of evolution. They cover a wide range of fascinating subjects, like why your coffee has caffeine, how certain caterpillars can handle toxic substances in plants, what risks are associated with the chemicals in vaping products, and even why the world's largest flowers have such a strong smell. Tune in to learn about an exciting mix of topics from nature, science, medicine, and history! Learn more about Dr. Whiteman’s book at www.mostdeliciouspoison.com and research at www.whitemanlab.org. You can follow him on social media @NKWhiteman on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Bluesky, Threads and Mastadon. #poison #caffeine #evolution #food #podcast #mostdeliciouspoison

In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture presents a series in which she interviews experts on agriculture trends. She talks with Jasmine Wibisono, a graduate from the Bard's College Graduate Programs in Sustainability, about her research on plant-based proteins, particularly pea protein. They discuss its sudden rise in popularity, its use in various products in the market and its production sustainability. Dr. Quave also introduces the 'crop metric study' which provides valuable data on globally important crops. Jasmine speaks about how this data can be leveraged for further research and how it encourages a systemic approach to sustainability and agriculture security.

Can food culture help combat non-communicable lifestyle diseases? We explore this question and more in the first episode of Season 6 of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast with Dr. Cassandra Quave. This week's guest is Chef Robert Oliver, an award-winning author, TV host, food ambassador, and renowned New Zealand chef with restaurants in cities like New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Sydney. Chef Oliver discusses his passion and in-depth knowledge of Pacific cuisine, the significance of local foods, and the impact of his initiative, the Pacific Island Food Revolution. This movement aims to fight lifestyle diseases in the region by revitalizing and promoting traditional Pacific cuisine and sustainable farming methods. Join Dr. Quave and Chef Oliver as they delve into his innovative work, the unique flavors of the South Pacific, and how food and culture can foster social and economic transformations while promoting health and sustainability. This podcast is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/ #FoodiePharmacology #ChefRobertOliver #healthyeating #traditionalfood #FoodRevolution #ptfi

Seeds are essential to the rhythm of life. This week on the show, we discuss seeds and how gardening can open up deeper connections to nature, our foods, and sense of place. Our guest is Jennifer Jewell, gardener, creator, and host of the public radio program and podcast “Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden”. Jennifer is the author of three books: The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants (Timber Press, 2020); Under Western Skies, Visionary Gardens from the Rockies to the Pacific (Timber Press, 2021); and What We Sow, on the Personal, Ecological & Cultural Significance of Seeds (Timber Press, 2023). Learn more about her work at her website: https://www.cultivatingplace.com/ #podcast #garden #seeds #vegetables #nature

Welcome to an all new epodes of Foodie Pharmacology with Dr. Cassandra Quave. This week Cassie welcomes Earlene Cruz, founder and executive director of Kitchen Connection Alliance (KCA), explores her role in revolutionizing the global food system. She outlines KCA's mission to educate on sustainable food practices and discusses her work as a Youth Representative and Steering Committee Member at the United Nations, focusing on youth engagement in combating food insecurity and climate change. The episode delves into how these issues intertwine with the global food system and presents specific strategies and projects for positive change. For more information, visit https://www.kitchenconnection.org/ or follow Earlene on Instagram at kitchenconnection. #FoodSystems #FoodInsecurity #UnitedNations #Cookbook #foodiepharmacology