The Sporkful

Ted Genoways, a journalist and author, dives into the fascinating life of José Cuervo, the man behind the world’s best-selling tequila. He uncovers Cuervo's dramatic navigation through the Mexican Revolution, political alliances, and business rivalries. The story reveals how he powered through Prohibition-era challenges to shape the tequila industry. Genoways also shares insights from his new book, "Tequila Wars," highlighting Cuervo’s hidden legacy and the cultural significance of tequila woven into the fabric of Mexican history.

In 2007, Maangchi was 50 years old, a single mother of adult kids, and was addicted to online gaming. Her son suggested she post a cooking video to YouTube. Today she has 4 million subscribers and has taught fans all over the world how to cook traditional Korean food. This week she tells us her story, and talks about cooking when you're in an "immigrant time warp." Plus we hear her take on a popular Korean dish that was renamed for the Oscar-winning film, Parasite.This episode originally aired on February 16, 2020, and was produced by Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Harry Huggins, with editing by Tracey Samuelson. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Mackenzie Martin, host of the KCUR Studios podcast A People’s History of Kansas City, dives into the century-long rivalry between Hydrox and Oreo. Discover how Hydrox, the original sandwich cookie, was overshadowed by Oreo’s marketing prowess. Mackenzie shares personal anecdotes and the nostalgia tied to Hydrox in Kansas City, revealing the cookie's legacy. They also engage in a humorous tasting comparison, highlighting surprising differences in flavor and texture. It's a sweet exploration of iconic American snacks and their cultural significance.

Jason Mantzoukas, the zany actor known for his roles in Parks and Rec and Big Mouth, reveals how a life-threatening egg allergy shaped his worldview. He shares hilarious anecdotes from childhood, discussing how humor became his defense mechanism. The conversation dives into social dynamics influenced by food allergies, illustrating the emotional weight of mealtime interactions. There's also a funny contrast between the spontaneity of improv and the strict vigilance required for his allergy, all while reflecting on the risks of living with such a condition.

Jack Gillies, a 16-year-old athlete, shares his struggle with eating disorders tied to race weight and the pressures of competitive running. Roberto Olivardia, a Harvard psychologist, discusses why men are less likely to seek help and how societal expectations complicate their relationship with food. Arnold Atienza, 57, reflects on decades of battling bulimia and addiction, emphasizing the importance of breaking the silence around these issues. Together, they shed light on the hidden struggles men face with eating disorders and the need for greater awareness and support.

Kenji Lopez-Alt, a food science expert and author of 'The Food Lab,' joins the discussion to explore the fascinating geometry of pizza. A listener's call ignites a debate about the perfect slice and its childhood nostalgia. Kenji shares how principles from woodworking can enhance your bagel and cream cheese game. The hosts also delve into the randomness in cooking, the quirks of sharing pizza, and the scientific nuances of boiling versus simmering, all while blending culinary science with humor.

Roy Choi is a legend in LA. He was one of the first chefs to start cooking out of a food truck, and one of the first to mashup different cuisines in the way that’s become so popular. His Kogi korean beef taco truck was a sensation in LA when he debuted it in 2008 -- it later inspired the movie “Chef,” starring Jon Favreau. Roy wrote a bestselling cookbook and memoir, LA Son, in 2013, and now he has a new cookbook, The Choi of Cooking. In some ways, it may seem like Roy’s success was preordained, like all this was destiny. But as you’ll hear, for many years it wasn’t clear he was going to survive, let alone thrive. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Kameel Stanley, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Production help from Kimmie Gregory. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Is there really a difference between cheap and expensive vodkas? In this collaboration with NPR's Planet Money, we go on a mission to learn how super premium vodka is made and marketed. Then we make our own, to see how it measures up.This episode originally aired on March 25, 2018, and was produced by Dan Pashman and Anne Saini. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Giulia Leo, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Matteo Lane, a comedian and author of 'Your Pasta Sucks,' hails from a large Italian family that fuels his passion for food and humor. He shares amusing stories about his culinary experiences and critiques pasta traditions. Matteo dives into the connection between Italian machismo and cooking, emphasizing men's roles in the kitchen. He reflects on his self-acceptance journey during a trip to Sicily while offering entertaining advice to a listener. Get ready for laughs and delicious insights into Italian culinary heritage!

Author and podcast host Malcolm Gladwell immigrated to Canada when he was young, the child of an English father and Jamaican mother. He’s always felt like an outsider. He hated maple syrup, in a town that hosts the largest one-day maple syrup festival in the world. That outsider’s perspective served him well as he became a cultural observer, and over the years, Malcolm’s trained his critical eye on food. He calls flavored seltzer “an abomination” and Earl Grey tea “a bridge too far.” He also talks with Dan about his food-related work, from what chunky tomato sauce says about our food preferences, to the supposed merits of appropriating food, and he explains why he only drinks five liquids.This episode originally aired on September 12, 2022, and was produced by Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Johanna Mayer, Tracey Samuelson, and Jared O'Connell. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Giulia Leo, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.