We explore why Cholula sauce, named after our hometown, isn’t actually made here—and why most locals don’t even use it. From its humble beginnings in a Mexican kitchen to its massive $800 million acquisition by McCormick, this episode uncovers the cultural, historical, and economic journey behind one of the world’s most popular hot sauces. Plus, we share per ... Show More
Sep 1
Por qué los mexicanos dicen “provecho”? 10 códigos culturales Parte 2 - Why Do Mexicans Say “Provecho”? 10 Cultural Codes, Part 2
How do you know whether to shake hands, hug, or give someone a cheek kiss in Mexico? Why do Mexicans offer food even when they barely have enough for themselves, and why can a party’s start time be more of a suggestion than a rule? In this episode, we continue our conversation ab ... Show More
27m 43s
Aug 25
Por qué los mexicanos dicen “provecho”? 10 códigos culturales Parte 1 - Why Do Mexicans Say “Provecho”? 10 Cultural Codes, Part 1
We explore some of the small but important cultural habits that shape everyday interactions in Mexico, from wishing strangers provecho at a restaurant to greeting someone before making a request. We also compare Mexican and U.S. customs around saying hello, saying goodbye, and ev ... Show More
29m 27s
Aug 18
Septiembre: el mes de la independencia en América Latina - September: Latin America's Independence Month
Why do so many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence in September? We explore the historical connections behind these celebrations, including how Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica came to share September 15, and why Mexico and Chile com ... Show More
24m 45s
Feb 2024
The Ridiculous History of Hot Sauce
Today, hot sauce is a global phenomenon, with millions of bottles sold every single year. But where does it come from? What makes it so popular -- and why won't water douse the heat when things get out of hand? Tune in as Ben, Noel and Max explore the spicy origin story of hot sa ... Show More
56m 7s
Nov 2022
The Ancient -- and Surprisingly Divisive! -- Story of Ketchup
Ketchup is in almost 97% of US homes today -- and, while this statistic may sound surprising, it turns out there's a long story behind this humble condiment. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max trace the origin of ketchup from its ancient predecessors in Southern China and the ... Show More
56m 24s
Apr 2024
A Ridiculous History of Worcestershire Sauce
It's tangy. It's salty. It's sweet. It's unctuous... but what exactly is Worcestershire sauce? Join Ben, Noel and Max on their continuing condiment journey as they explore the bizarre origin story of one of the world's most famous (and, arguably, strangest) sauces in today's epis ... Show More
42m 14s