
 Gastropod
 Gastropod Ask Gastropod: Bubblegum, Meal Kits, and the Real Truth About Rooibos
 17 snips 
 Jun 24, 2025  Boris Gorelick, a senior research fellow at the Institute for African Studies in Moscow and author of "The Story of Rooibos," joins the discussion to unravel captivating topics. They explore the environmental impact of meal kits versus traditional cooking, the surprising origins of rooibos tea, and its journey from local treasure to global sensation. Gorelick shares intriguing insights into the health claims around rooibos and reveals the whimsical world of bubblegum flavor, including its fantasy taste profile and its nostalgic appeal. 
 AI Snips 
 Chapters 
 Books 
 Transcript 
 Episode notes 
Meal Kits Reduce Mental Load
- Rebecca Bennett and Brenna Ellison both use meal kits to reduce mental load and diversify meals.
- Meal kits help simplify meal planning and introduce new ingredients without waste.
Environmental Impact of Meal Kits
- Life cycle analyses suggest meal kits' benefits of reducing food waste often outweigh packaging costs.
- Deliveries are generally more efficient than individual grocery store trips by car, reducing carbon emissions.
Meal Kits and Nutrition
- Meal kits generally offer decent vegetable servings but tend to be high in sodium and fat.
- They are healthier compared to takeout or frozen meals and can teach cooking skills.



