How many different kinds of agave can be used to make mezcal? Well, heck, that’s easy: the regulations allow you to use any of them. So why have there been so many articles saying it’s “more than 40”? When 159 species … species … have been identified in Mexico?! We...

There's a Denomination of Origin for mezcal -- has been since 1997. The Mexican government gets to decide what is and what isn't mezcal. So if the Mexican government doesn't recognize an agave spirit as "mezcal," should we? It's another rhetorical episode of Agave Road Trip! Find extra photos and...

Sometimes they’re called mezclas, sometimes they're called ensambles, and sometimes that “a” turns to an “e” for “ensemble.” Some geeks call them field blends, as if anyone is doing any blending in a field. What does it mean when you see these terms on your mezcal label? Find out in...

For hundreds of years, mezcaleros believed that you could not use maguey jabali (agave convallis) to make spirits — it foams so much, both during fermentation and distillation, that it was thought unmanageable. But a couple decades ago, someone found a strategy to manage the foaming. Now gringos go crazy...

On today's episode Zarela Aarón welcome Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations for Melissa's Produce. Robert takes us on a world tour of fruits that are newer to the U.S. market, while Zarela Aarón tell us how they're used in Mexican cooking. From Avocados to Quince, they cover...

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 used throughout history...

Rick Smith, owner of Sakaya, joins host Akiko Katayama in studio today for a conversation all about Sake. Rick starts the show by giving us all an education about what sake is made out of, and the complicated process of how it is brewed. Rick and Akiko discuss the changes...

Is it spring yet?! This week on Eat Your Words, host Cathy Erway is optimistically talking spring vegetable gardens, specifically tomatoes, with "tomatomaniac" Scott Daigre. Every year, Scott hosts TomatoMania!, a traveling pop-up sale of hundreds of heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings and has also recently released the new book...

This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks is getting into the spirit of Cider Week! Welcoming guest Steve Wood of Farnum Hill Cider to the program, he is noted as a great apple grower, bug and fungus expert, cider fermenter, blender, and advocate to fellow-orchardists. Talking to Erin...

Arsenic in our food supply? This week on What Doesn't Kill You, Katy Keiffer checks in Dr. Urvashi Rangan regarding the prevalence of arsenic in food products like rice, apple juice, and poultry. Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D. leads and directs the Consumer Safety and Sustainability Group for Consumer Reports. She is...