Follow the Crumbs

This week, we dive into the crazy and very much not-Disney-approved life of an American folk legend and learn how the bad apples he sold contributed to the United States’s budding hard apple cider industry. We also discover that good apples violated Johnny Appleseed’s religious beliefs, but we never find out why he used a tin cooking pot for a hat. Finally, we discuss how Johnny Appleseed’s name has misled Americans for decades.

In this episode, we try to unpack the mysteries of the crime-infested den of the Frankfurt suburbs, including two separate Nutella heists four years apart. We also talk about Canada’s syrup cartel and the exact price the Quebecois place on their freedom to make as much syrup as they want. Finally, Faye makes an impassioned plea for food justice.

In honor of Parks and Recreation, and Leslie Knope, we turn back time to discuss when waffles were just pretty communion wafers, the many World Fairs (and their associated crimes), and the difficulty of French pronunciations. We also discuss the true meaning of Galentine’s Day. Finally, we give you a taste of the underbelly of the culinary world.

In this very special episode, Mary makes her prodigal return to discuss her favorite booze. Our Executive Producer joins us as we discuss why William of Orange banned brandy, the English’s 50-year drunken bender, and how gin and tonics kept the sun shining on the British Empire. Finally, we debate whether or not liking gin makes you a psychopath.

Eat a grapefruit, because this episode should come with a high blood pressure warning. That’s right, we’re talking about #saltsowhite. In this episode, we discuss the Celts (the unsung heroes of European history), salt churches in Poland, and Julius’s Caesar’s appetite for salt-cured ham. Finally, we dig into the rich salting mining history of Central Europe.

In our final installment of the Follow the Crumbs Indian Starter Pack, we explore how British laziness (or stupidity) created the greatest lie ever told about Indian food: the existence of curry. We also uncover Faye’s American Arab identity and complete the circle of life through vindaloo and beer. Special note: Faye recorded this episode while avoiding a fiery death at the hands of a hairy space heater.

In the third installment of our India series, we discuss how teenage angst fueled the creation of the Mughal Empire, why Babur hated India (for no valid reasons, Ria might add), and how Akbar brought shame to his ancestors by allowing Indian culture to corrupt him. Finally, we trace the cultural mixing that led to the evolution of biryani.

This week, we’re thankful for quirky laws about food. We discuss a small Texas town’s tourism strategy, the solution to the bourbon oak barrel shortage crisis, and (even more) conspiracy theories about what goes into your pasteurized cheese products. Finally, we have an important health PSA for you: don’t smoke your olive oil.

In this episode, we unpack why Indian people are so good at cooking vegetables, why ghee will make you immortal, and how to treat gods who visit your home. This episode could’ve also been called: Everything you wanted to know about Hinduisum (contains some inaccuracies).

This week, we discuss everyone’s favorite things: the plague, poop, and Jesus. We also examine the impact of Portugal on India’s food. Finally, we uncover the greatest ponzi scheme ever: the Ottoman pepper trade.