Dan Saladino, a food journalist and author of "Eating to Extinction," shares captivating tales about rare foods and cultures. He delves into the alarming loss of biodiversity, revealing stories like the last soybean garden and unique 16-foot corn that produces its own fertilizer. Saladino emphasizes the importance of preserving culinary heritage against globalization's tide. Listeners are taken on a journey through the histories of traditional farming practices and the intricate relationships between people and nature, highlighting the urgency to protect diverse flavors before they vanish.
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Sicilian Citrus
Sicilian farmers struggled to compete with cheaper imported citrus.
This led Dan Saladino to discover the Ark of Taste, a catalog of endangered foods.
insights INSIGHT
Hidden Uniformity
Supermarkets appear diverse, but staple crop genetics have narrowed significantly.
Seed vaults hold thousands of varieties, while farmers use a limited recommended list.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Okinawan Soy
In Okinawa, a local soy variety adapted to tropical conditions and had unique tofu production.
External influences led to its near extinction, but a farmer is now reviving it.
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In 'Eating to Extinction,' Dan Saladino explores the world's vanishing foods, documenting his travels to experience and preserve these endangered culinary treasures. The book delves into the consequences of globalization and industrialization on food systems, noting that only a few crops and breeds dominate global food production. Saladino argues that this homogenization threatens not only traditional foodways but also the flavors, smells, and textures associated with diverse foods. He profiles heroic individuals dedicated to preserving these foods and provides a roadmap to a healthier, more robust, and flavorful food system. The book is a mix of culinary exploration and a warning about the future of food production in the face of climate change, pests, and parasites[1][3][5].
Vox's Benji Jones talks with food journalist and author Dan Saladino, whose new book Eating to Extinction documents rare foods and food cultures from around the world, showing how they are being affected by climate change, globalization, and industrial agricultural practices. Dan shares many incredible stories from his travels and reporting, including the last known garden growing a unique soybean, a 16-foot high corn that produces its own fertilizer, and a complex symbiosis between man, bird, and bee in remote Tanzania.
Host: Benji Jones (@BenjiSJones), Environmental reporter, Vox
Guest: Dan Saladino (@DanSaladinoUK), food journalist & author
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 