Summary: For centuries they remained a secret deep within the jungles of South America. But now a quarter of the world's people enjoy chilies or other peppers every day, and chili powder is the most popular spice on the planet. This video explores the unique and powerful qualities packed inside the humble pepper, from its distinctive flavor to its incendiary kick to its potential health benefits....

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010

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Summary: Legend has it that cheese was invented 5,000 years ago by a desert nomad hauling a saddle-pack full of milk. Regardless of its exact origin, cheese is more than a simple dairy product-it is often the work of skilled artisans and has been, at certain times in history, a status symbol. This video serves up a generous slice of cheese knowledge and cooking advice. Investigating the birth of the...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: The world's third most popular ingredients after salt and pepper, onions and garlic have long been used for medicinal as well as culinary purposes. And while idealistic Motown fans might see the world as "just a great big onion," Alexander the Great considered the bulbous root essential to a soldier's diet. This video illustrates the diverse uses and benefits of onions and garlic, explaining...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010

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Summary: How does tea reduce stress in the human body? What spiritual and cultural meanings have been connected with it over the centuries? Why did 18th-century Europeans keep it in locked chests? This video stirs up a sweet combination of food facts, flavorful history, and delicious tea choices-including white, green, and herbal varieties-thanks to chef Paul Merrett and his enlightening kitchen...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2008

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Summary: The Aztecs considered mushrooms the food of the gods. Many Asian civilizations have cultivated them for thousands of years, and the Romans liked them with honey-although the reign of Claudius was ended by a mushroom that wasn't so sweet. This video unearths the historical and culinary magic of the forest-floor fungi, presenting little-known food facts and incredible mushroom recipes. The...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: Concocted in the miniature laboratory of the beehive, honey is nevertheless a big business-nearly half a million tons of it are traded globally every year. It has an honored place in history, too, as an ancient Egyptian health and beauty ointment. On top of all that, even some hospitals find it useful! This video reveals the long-standing importance of honey in commerce, culture, and cures,...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010

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Summary: First cultivated by the Incas 6,000 years ago, potatoes are now the most popular vegetable on Earth, with 293 million tons and thousands of varieties consumed every year. This video peels away myths and misconceptions about the starchy tuber and presents many delectable ways it can be prepared. Outlining the 16th-century arrival of the potato in Europe, the program explores one possible...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: What kinds of seafood did the ancient Greeks and Romans enjoy? Is there any truth behind the belief that oysters are an aphrodisiac? How did the invention of railroads change the way fish and shellfish were consumed? And most importantly-how do you cook a tender calamari? This video dives to the bottom of the ocean and brings up fun food facts, enlightening culinary history, and tasty morsels...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: Veganism may be on the rise, but for most people milk remains the preferred source of calcium-which we all need to survive-as well as an essential ingredient in butter, cheese, yogurt, and chocolate. This video investigates myths, historical facts, and cultural traditions surrounding the dairy industry's chief product. Why has milk been provided at little or no cost to generations of...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010

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Summary: In today's mass-produced world, chicken is cheap and eaten nearly everywhere. Yet, it has a secure place in the history of fine cuisine, and can still be prepared with originality and style. From the classic British roast to the traditional French coq au vin, this video explores the versatility, potential, nutritional value, and historical importance of the humble barnyard hen. Shedding light...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: Scrambled, boiled, poached, baked, fried, beaten, whipped, and even raw-the egg has sustained the human race for over 5,000 years, but it's still full of surprises. This video cracks open the secrets of nature's ready-made meal and traces its path through history, including an ancient Roman custard recipe, the importance of powdered eggs in World War II, how the British egg industry nearly...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006

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Summary: Not only is the banana the world's most popular fruit-it's also fourth on the list of the most widely consumed products, period. In this video, Chef Paul Merrett meets a man whose mission in life is to rescue the banana from, believe it or not, extinction. In addition, Chef Merrett demonstrates the ins and outs of creamy banana cheesecake, plantain-and-chicken satay, and a deliciously soothing...

Format: software, multimedia

Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010

View online at AVOD