logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
25m 39s

Who invented tacos?

Vermont Public
About this episode

Do you love tacos? Then you’re not alone! Tacos originated in Mexico but they’re popular worldwide and they are ever evolving. Kids have a lot of questions about this favorite food so we visited Nixta Taqueria in Austin, Texas to learn more! Who made the first tacos? And where? What’s the deal with crispy shells vs. soft tortillas? Why do tacos have sauce? Why does corn come in so many different colors? And are there rules about what makes a taco…a taco? 


Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Up next
Jun 27
Why do some people like spicy food?
Ever wondered why some spices burn your throat while others tickle your nose? Or why some of us live for spicy foods while others sweat at the mere thought of a habanero? How do pickles stay crunchy if they’re sitting in brine for weeks on end? And why do we have such different f ... Show More
28m 28s
Jun 13
Why do we need to use sunscreen?
It’s summer and that means slathering yourself with sunblock before you’re allowed to go run around outside. Not everyone loves that ritual: sunscreen can be cold or sticky. Sometimes it gets in your eyes, and it always feels like it’s time to reapply JUST as you’re about to jump ... Show More
22m 15s
May 30
Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?
How did horseshoe crabs get their names? Are they even crabs? And did they really exist before the dinosaurs? Early spring presents a unique opportunity to see these living fossils up close as they scuttle up to the shoreline along the Atlantic coast of the United States to mate ... Show More
34m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2020
The Mexican Corn Kitchen
On this episode Aarón and Zarela welcome their first guest: Zack Wangeman of Sobre Masa. Zack was born and raised in Oaxaca and interned with Aarón when he was only a teenager! Together they discuss the ins-and-outs of Mexican heirloom corn, including how it’s been farmed and use ... Show More
44m 43s
Oct 2021
Tacos for Maria
Maria gets to help her mom make some amazing tacos. Weekend taco making sure is fun! 
9m 7s
Sep 2023
Tacos Prayer
Tacos Prayer For more information, visit pastorvlad.org 
10m 17s
Jun 2024
Qu'est-ce que la cuisine Tex-Mex ?
La cuisine Tex-Mex est à l'origine nord-américaine et non pas mexicaine comme on pourrait le croire. Le Mexique partage sa frontière nord avec l'État du Texas, on a déjà la première partie avec la contraction Tex. Le Mex vient du mot Mexicain non pas pour désigner les habitants m ... Show More
2m 17s
Nov 2024
Cosas Que No Sabías Que Eran Mexicanas Parte 2 - Things You Didn’t Know Were Mexican Part 2
We’re back with more surprising facts about things you probably didn’t know came from Mexico! In this episode, discover how ancient indigenous groups used popcorn long before it became a movie-time snack, learn about the rich history behind vanilla’s cultivation, and find out why ... Show More
21m 46s
Mar 2025
🌮 Doritos Locos Tacos: The Cheesy Mashup That Saved Taco Bell | 21
Taco Bell was struggling and needed an idea so bold… so over-the-top… so WEIRD… that it would capture America’s taste buds and Instagram feeds. So when it unveiled the Doritos Locos Tacos (or ""DLT"") in 2012, jaws dropped…then immediately started chomping. The hard-shell taco co ... Show More
41m 33s
Sep 2024
is Chicago Native Wants To Build the In-N-Out of Tacos
, CEO/founder of , is on a mission to create the “In-N-Out of Tacos”. She’s transforming her beloved taco concept into a streamlined experience that caters to the modern customer’s craving for convenience. Listen now to learn about growing a restaurant business, using community r ... Show More
36m 52s
May 2024
How the Jalapeño Lost Its Heat
The jalapeño is the workhorse of hot peppers. They’re sold fresh, canned, pickled, in hot sauces, salsas, smoked into chipotles, and they outsell all other hot peppers in the United States. These everyday chilies are a scientific and sociological marvel, and tell a complicated st ... Show More
32m 38s
Jun 24
Mole Poblano - El Sabor Profundo de México - Mole Poblano - The Deep Flavor of Mexico
If you’ve ever wondered what mole poblano is—or why it’s considered by many to be Mexico’s national dish—this episode is for you. We talk about the ingredients that make it so complex, its colonial and pre-Hispanic roots, and how it’s typically served during major celebrations li ... Show More
26m 25s
Aug 2017
Where Did We Come From?
Where in in the world did we come from? How in the world did we get here? Who in the world were our ancient ancestors? Join Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas as they travel back in time to discover the history of our big Homo sapien family! Also, how in the world can we help our human fam ... Show More
30m 19s