It’s fair to assume that hummus has become a widely popular grocery staple in the US. Its murky origins, however, have rendered it a symbol of political tensions in the Middle East. The cultural dispute over hummus ownership has indeed been absorbed into the general framework of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Researcher Gabriella Soriano interviewed Professor Darren Zook to investigate the relevance of food in the cultural and social dynamics of nationalism. Tune in for a peculiar discussion on politics, food, identity, and 23,000-pound hummus bowls.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Guest: Professor Darren Zook

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.