Choose to be Curious Ep. #226: Foraging: Curiosity & Dancing with Nature, with Tama Matsuoka Wong
Apr 11, 2024
Tama Matsuoka Wong, a finance lawyer turned professional forager, shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to embracing the wild. She discusses how foraging connects us to nature, turning overlooked weeds into gourmet ingredients for high-end chefs. Tama highlights the joy of savoring nature and the collaborative spirit between foragers and chefs. With a nod to thoughtful stewardship, she encourages listeners to build curiosity around the ecosystem and explore the culinary delights hidden in the natural world around them.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Foraging Mirrors Curiosity
- Foraging mirrors the brain's process of sampling and prioritizing information by exploring and valuing 'weeds'.
- Curiosity involves exploring unknowns with open-ended expectations about rewards.
Shag Bark Ice Cream Surprise
- Tama foraged shag bark hickory bark in winter for a pastry chef who recognized its value from wartime experience.
- The bark transformed into a popular nutty caramel-flavored ice cream ingredient, surprising even Tama.
Curiosity Requires Diverse Connections
- People often get stuck in exclusive social tribes that limit curiosity by narrowing conversations.
- Connecting diverse people across backgrounds can spark broader curiosity and innovation.
