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The Salt
Bones Tell Tale Of Desperation Among The Starving At Jamestown
May 1, 2013 The winter of 1609-1610 has been called the "starving time" for the hundreds of men and women who settled the English colony of Jamestown, Va. They ate their horses, their pets — and, apparently, at least one person. Scientists say human bones recovered from the site provide the first hard evidence that the colonists may have resorted to cannibalism.
The Salt
EU Embraces 'Suspended Coffee': Pay It Forward With A Cup Of Joe
April 25, 2013 About a century ago, a beautiful tradition emerged in the Italian city of Naples: Cafe-goers would buy a cup of coffee anonymously and in advance for a less-fortunate stranger. With much of Europe now in tight financial times, the custom is spreading across the continent.
The Salt
An Oral History Of New York Food: Dining Out Wasn't Always 'In'
March 26, 2013 New York is now known for pricey restaurants and celebrity chefs. But there are still a few folks who remember buying food from horse-drawn wagons in the city. An audio project aims to preserve these memories, and the voices that share them.
The Salt
Poi: Hawaii's Recipe For Revitalizing Island Culture
March 10, 2013 WVTFWith only about 1,000 full-blooded Hawaiians left in the world, preserving native island culture is a huge challenge. One way to do this: teach students and other island residents the ancient art of making poi, a dish that's been feeding native Hawaiians for centuries.
The Salt
How The Sweet Potato Crossed The Pacific Way Before The Europeans Did
January 23, 2013 The genes of the root vegetable have a juicy story to tell of trans-oceanic adventure. A DNA analysis of sweet potatoes adds evidence to the theory that ancient Polynesians visited South America long before the Europeans arrived.
The Salt
Five Facts About Pie That Might Surprise You, And A Survey
June 19, 2012 The first pies were called "coffins" and full of meat, but for modern Americans, it's all about apple pie. Help us prepare for NPR's Pie Week by taking our survey and voting for your favorite pie.
The Salt
The California Taco Trail: 'How Mexican Food Conquered America'
April 23, 2012 Once upon a time, tacos were a Mexican snack. Now they're an all-American institution. Gustavo Arellano leads us across Southern California in search of the roots of the American taco.
The Salt
Is That A Plastic Baby Jesus In My Cake?
February 17, 2012 It isn't Mardi Gras without a king cake, a sugary confection topped with lurid icing that just screams indulgence. But in recent years the traditional porcelain baby has been elbowed out by a plastic model that you have to hide yourself.
The Salt
More Than Miso: Food Writer In Japan Records Struggling Region's Cuisine
February 9, 2012 In a new cookbook, food writer Elizabeth Andoh tells the story of the cuisine of Japan's Tohoku region, which was hard hit by last year's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. Andoh says it's important to document the region's cuisine now, because traditional dishes often disappear during periods of upheaval.
The Salt
In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty
December 30, 2011 As people get richer, they tend to get fatter. That's what's happening in China, where 25 percent of adults are now obese or overweight. But some Chinese are discovering that it's possible to enjoy times of plenty and still stay slim.
The Salt
A Christmas Pudding In The Mail Carries A Taste Of Home
December 21, 2011 My mother always made Christmas puddings. Nowadays, my sister and brother-in-law send me one every year from England. They use a mid-Victorian recipe handed down from a Quaker. Unlike other Christmas treats, a well-made, properly sealed Christmas pudding will keep for a year, or more.
The Salt
Oyster Ice Cream: A Thanksgiving Tradition Mark Twain Could Get Behind
November 23, 2011 Oyster ice cream may be more traditional fare than many of the dishes we serve for Thanksgiving, says chef José Andrés. He's showcasing American food history in his collaboration with the National Archives. But modern diners can appreciate this briny treat, too.
The Salt
Farm-Fresh Food May Have Shaped The Modern Mouth
November 21, 2011 Easy-to-chew foods like rice and corn may have influenced the evolution of the human jawbone. New research says it may also help account for the fact that children in the United States often need to have braces because their mouths can't accommodate their teeth.
The Salt
For The Origins Of Pie, Look To The Humble Magpie
November 21, 2011 Magpies and crows are well-known for their habit of collecting odds and ends in their nests. Not so very different, the thinking goes, from the way medieval cooks assembled ingredients for their pies.
The Salt
The Historic Allure Of A Late Night Oyster
October 20, 2011 Americans have sought out midnight oysters for centuries, for their convenience, their lightness, and their mischievous reputation. Whatever the appeal, the salty late night snack flaunting flavor over bulk endures.
