There are tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of edible plants in the world. But humans only cultivate a couple hundred of those at any significant scale. And when we eat, we tend to stick to just a few: More than half of the calories that humans consume around the world today come from just corn, soy, wheat, and rice. But that narrow focus on food is putting us in danger.

As climate change, the COVID pandemic, and conflict in “breadbasket” regions like Ukraine continue to disrupt agriculture, it may be time for forgotten crops to make a comeback. On this episode, Chef Pierre Thiam explains how one of these ancient grains might just save the world.

GUEST: Pierre Thiam, Chef, author, & entrepreneur

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Where to find some fonio: Yolélé

How to cook fonio: The Fonio Cookbook by Pierre Thiam

Will the world’s breadbaskets become less reliable?, McKinsey (charts and maps!)

Looking at other grains (millet and fonio) to help feed the world, Foreign Policy

Explore stats on crop and livestock production around the world, The UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Could we lose delicious foods forever?