Burnt Toast Food52

Can you believe that Burnt Toast has been a podcast for three seasons, yet we’ve never done an episode on burnt toast? Well, that’s changing now. We’ll talk about the magical things that take place inside of our toasters, from today's toaster selfies to Finnish-style dunking toasts that trace their history back to the 15th century.

Things are about to get hot in here—join us for an exploration of some of the world's spiciest foods. Why is that tingly combination of heat and flavor such a temptress? (Are we addicted to danger? Do we just love sweating while eating?) From spice-infused condiments to the many chilies of Mexico, we'll get to the bottom of that “hurts so good” thrill ride once and for all.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it means different things to different people. For some, it's a time for peaceful reflection; for others, a moment to bond with family, friends, or community. And, let’s get real–for a lot of us, it’s a frenzied affair that’s eaten in such a rush, more of it ends up on our shirts than in our stomachs! This episode of Burnt Toast explores breakfast trends and traditions around the world to ask: how do you start yours?

In French, "jolie laide" means "pretty and ugly"; it's a way to describe something that is unconventionally beautiful. This homage to jolie laide foods will explore the idea that deliciousness can come where you least expect it, from misshapen fish meatballs to organ meat that only a zombie could love. Some consumers may fall for the illusion of perfection, but companies such as UglyRipe and Imperfect Produce have made a point of promoting flavor over façade. (Bruised tomatoes may not be the most slightly, but they make a great sauce!) We'll examine the notion of perfection of taste vs. perfection of image

The history of effervescence has lots of wellness-related side notes, from the ground springs of Selzen, Germany (where the bubbly liquid naturally occurs, creating a sparkling mineral water) to the time when American speakeasies served “medicinal” fizzes flavored with homeopathic tinctures, directly influencing our soft drink and cocktail culture today. We'll explore the revival of soda fountains, like Brooklyn Farmacy, which serves carbonated egg creams replete with live-culture kombucha. There's more, too: Bread starters bubble for long-fermented loafs, boiling pots of bone broth extract all the good flavor and well-being benefits, and craft beers cheer a food world that sparkles just a little brighter... all thanks to bubbles.

Whether it’s a food fad or a table at the trendiest restaurant in town, there are certain foods that just inspire people to line up and wait. So what makes for a culty bite? Hear stories of triumph and despair, along with tactics to bide the time while you wait to get in the door for that prized morsel. We’ll also touch on the psychology and science behind waiting in line.