Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 86 This hybrid episode brings together of Hungry Books and Pass the Chipotle Podcast and I’m joined by Dr Deborah Toner editor of "Alcohol in the Age of Industry, Empire, and War," a ground-breaking volume that explores the intricate connections between alcohol and society from 1850 to 1950.  Through the episode we examine in detail the volume’s eight chapters following the complexities of alcohol production, consumption, regulation, and commerce, delving into gendered, medical, religious, ideolog ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 85 This episode features a conversation with Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock about her latest book: On Savage Shores: How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe combining a critical perspective that questions the historiography, narratives, and consequences of marginalizing the role of indigenous people in the colonial and post-colonial contexts, with a critical view of the complex history of Mexico's formation and the silenced voices and stories that continue to bleed through the cracks of power structures ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist.  Episode 84 This refreshed version of the coffee special explores the origins of coffee and its journey form  Eritrea modern day Ethiopia, Africa into the Americas and how in a short time became a highly profitable crop. On the second part of we explore some aspects of the cultural history of coffee consumption in Mexico and the fascinating journey coffee makes from the fields to your morning cup. You will discover what the so called “speciality coffee is all about” and which are the “Oscars” in the coffee world.  So grab a larg ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 83 To wrap up the year I teamed up with my dear friend Mely Martínez to have a candid chat about our favourite Christmas and seasonal foods, drinks and treats. Since it is impossible to exhaust the wide variety of regional and local dishes from all across Mexico, we tried to present an overview of how Mexicans feast during this particularly indulgent season. We hope to inspire you to get adventurous and plan a wonderful dinner. Also, check out this classic episode: (The history of) A Mexican Christma ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 81 When Salvador packed his camera and got off to start a journey documenting traditional drinks of Mexico, he didn’t know that his life was about to change forever. This adventure became the beginning of a transformative experience for him and the many lives he has touched. In this candid, honest and rich conversation, we discuss his motivations, the creative and personal process behind the making of his book “Beverages of Oaxaca”, social responsibility, the challenges of being a content creator, and ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 79 Welcome to the season finale! In this episode, I discuss how early printed cookbooks in Mexico were tools of cultural propaganda. Through a form of culinary patriotism, cookbooks built the gastronomic identity of a newly independent nation promoting the adoption of behaviours, tastes and manners of the whiter middle and upper classes. In light of the aggressive exploitation of cultural expressions, contemporary discussions are contesting the dated and monolithic idea of “a Mexican gastronomy” that ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 78 In this episode I discuss my guest’s new book: “The Last Emperor of Mexico: The Dramatic Story of the Habsburg Archduke Who Created a Kingdom in the New World.” This work is so much more than the story of Maximilian I, it really captures the zeitgeist of a bygone era that is fundamental in the history of Mexico with deep connections to the global geopolitical dynamics of the 19th c. We cross examine the historical events and view under different perspectives the motives, interests and consequences o ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator.   Episode 77 This episode explores the influence of the Andalusi culture that echoed deeply in every aspect of Spain’s society in the 16th century and the impact of the African slave trade in colonial Mexico. But to fully understand these stories from the beginning, I will go back to the complex medieval period of the Iberian peninsula from where the seeds of empire, colonisation and slave trade originated. . There is a long list with reading material and references to help you continue exploring these fa ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal Food anthropologist, culture & gastronomy educator. Episode 76 This episode explores the intersections between  art, music, painting and life in Mexico during the colonial period closing down with Mexican baking and pastry traditions. My guest: Eliceo Lara is a talented Mexican baker and accomplished singer with a deep interest in history and literature. We indulged in a warm talk covering many of our mutual interests, it was a joy to close down 2021 with him. Contact Eliceo: Website: https://mexicanbaking.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elic ..read more

Presented by: Rocio Carvajal food anthropologist, Mexican culture gastronomy educator. Episode 75 The Day of the Dead celebration is a cultural pillar of Mexico’s rituals of memory, conviviality and spirituality, this episode celebrates the history behind this vibrant tradition that is one of Mexico’s most joyous cultural export. It also offers an introduction to the Mayan ceremonies for the dead and I read a short story from Mexican anthropologist and archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma called “Yaotl in the land of the dead. Links mentioned on this episode: Book recommendation: “Mexican t ..read more