I'll just grab a glass of milk...

When did that become a thing?  Becasue - it is a VERY American thing.  RIght up there with cold cereal for breakfast.

Turns out - it became possible at the end of the 19th century.  But all the moving parts that had to come together to make it happen are kindof increadible.  So come with me on the journey to find out just how a glass of milk at home became possible

Bridgerton Clip with Anachronistic Milk Drinking:
https://youtu.be/AwdTS5uY1KA?si=h4Ywxe8B0thq1Ea-

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

This week we bust open the most United States of America food of all.
Cold Cereal
My research has lead me to this - Cold Cereal is the first thing that can be claimed as the first Original Food of the USA.
Pumpkin Pie... maybe?
Bacon Cheese Burger - I'll consider it.
Fried Chicken sandwich - my favorite contender.... but late.

Let's talk about how the conditions of colonial America lead to Tony the Tiger and Frosted Flakes.

But we aren't there yet.  Instead it is bad... but fast cereal.   

To know how bad - check out my new Substack!
The First Cold Cereal



Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

An important element essential to modern American food didn't happen until the end of the 19th century.  But as with so many of the other elements that are underpinnings of American food - it is not a food at all. Instead it is paper made of trees rather than paper made of cloth that has reached the end of it's life.

And once wood pulp paper becomes part of the scene - how food is transported, labeled and sold will never be the same.

Think about a world before you put could wrap meat in Butcher's Paper, before crackers came in boxes - it looks almost unrecognizable.  But come along for the debut of cheap-er paper in American food - and how this changes everything.

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

Hang in there ... and I'll be back.

Hopefully - some interesting posts on the Socials Media

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

This week we go back in time to learn about how we got paper.

It's been with us for a long time, but until the end of the 19th century it was mostly old clothes.

To find out what paper used to be and how we got to paper from trees - tune in.

Also - as promised... the links to the 
W.E.B. Du Bois self tour:

https://www.duboisnhs.org/great-barrington-walking-tour/


Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

Wanna see bears?  goto Explore.org
See how many Alaskan canneries there where? Or see more about the Diamond NN Cannery?

Follow the links

And then listen in to the rise of canned fish in the late 19th century.  Instant protein you can take with you anywhere.  The cottage cheese of the 19th century - but no refrigeration needed.

But - being able to can every last oyster and slamon we could get our hands on had a cost - as well as a payoff.

Listen in to find out more 

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

Today's corn episode I am reminded that my intial question of do I include corn in my logo or not?  I made the correct decision.  Corn is there - but it's invisible - it helped feed the beef.  

Because this is the episode where corn changes from an obvious food to one that can be present anywhere.  With the advent of industrial milled corn starch we have entered the age when corn is as much chemical ingredient as it is food.

So iron your pinafore with starch and sit down to a miander through the past and late 1800's presence of corn in the American Food system.


Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

Sugar can reasonably be called "The White Stuff"

It makes us happy - and yet people are willing to abuse it, and commit crimes to make it happen.

The late 19th century is when America goes from eating a similar amount of sugar as the rest of the up and coming mechanical world - to becoming the greediest of all.
The combination of extending sugar plantations out into Cuba, Puerto Rico and now Hawai'i along with the rise of maufactured foods - expecially sweet treats is going to place America at the front of the Suger Consumer Pack.  And we'll stay there.

To get into the nitty gritty of Sugar vs. The World - Check out Sidney Mintz Sweetness and Power
To dig deep into what American Corruption looked like at the start of the 20th Century check out The Teapot Dome Scandal  by Laton McCartney

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

This week is the start of a few shows on the bad mic.  And it is all my fault.
But "A" mic is still better than no show at all.
Let’s talk salt in late 19th century America.  It used to be all about food but isn’t any longer.  Listen along as we look out how the Industrial Revolution - especially around food - runs on salt.  And how the living away from the farm and shopping in the stores needs salt to happen at all.

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood

This week I talk to 

Designers, Authors and Storytellers Paul van Ravestein and Monique Mulder about their book 
The Pickled CIty   Availible in Bookstores now!

We dive into the history, culture and importance of place of pickles.  I also learn a few things about why pickles are that way.  So listen in to this extra long bonus episode on Pickles, Salt and History

Music Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor Turtle

Substack: https://thoafood.substack.com/
Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot com
Threads: @THoAFood
Instagram: @THoAFood
Show Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/
& some other socials... @THoAFood