ENCORE: The History Of Watermelon

ENCORE: The History Of Watermelon

In this episode of Sprung On Food, host Kae Sprung sits down with actor and writer Ariane Price to explore watermelon’s origins, its evolution through agriculture and breeding, the rise of seedless varieties, and how it became both a cultural symbol and a pop-culture icon. It’s a fruit with a deep global history, surprising cultural impact, and a complicated journey from ancient Africa to modern supermarkets. From ancient cultivation to internet usage, watermelon has truly seen it all.We also dig into why watermelon still matters today, as food, as imagery, and as a reflection of how culture and consumption intersect. Watch, learn, and maybe grab a slice. You can follow and support this week's guest, Ariane Price here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/multiple-talking-women/id1721450565⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/multiple-talking-women/id1721450565] ⁠https://groundlings.com/people/ariane-price⁠ [https://groundlings.com/people/ariane-price] See behind the scenes photos and video here: ⁠http://instagram.com/sprungonfood⁠ [http://instagram.com/sprungonfood] Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung] You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here:Website: ⁠http://katherinesprung.com⁠ [http://katherinesprung.com/] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung] TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung] Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up*: Riverside: ⁠https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S⁠ [https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S] Descript: ⁠descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH⁠ [http://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH] About the show:Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. *Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Introduction to Watermelon Obsession 00:40 The Perfect Watermelon Experience 03:31 Creative Culinary Uses of Watermelon 06:14 Watermelon's Ancient Origins 08:12 Watermelon in Egyptian Culture 14:33 Watermelon's Journey Across the World 15:49 Watermelon in American History 16:48 The Healing Power of Laughter 18:34 Exploring the Depths of Humor and Character 20:02 Corporate Training and Improv with Celebrities 21:46 The Science Behind Seedless Watermelons 22:39 Global Innovations in Watermelon Breeding 25:41 Nutritional Benefits and Culinary Uses of Watermelon 32:47 Watermelon's Cultural Impact and Pop Culture Moments 35:27 Final Thoughts on Watermelons

The History Of Jelly Desserts

Host Kae Sprung welcomes Solid Wiggles co-owners Jena Derman and Jack Schramm to discuss jelly desserts and their history, from medieval European gelatin extraction, blancmange, and ornate Victorian molded jellies to plant-based Asian traditions like agar (kanten), yōkan, warabi mochi, Korean starch jellies, grass jelly, gulaman, and almond jelly. Jena and Jack explain how their pastry-and-cocktail backgrounds shaped Solid Wiggles, including early clarified coconut water and citrus jellies, a COVID-era Wildair pop-up where gin cucumber lime jellies sold out, and a Halloween run of 1,200 jelly eyeballs. They discuss texture consistency, the R&D behind their espresso martini jelly, challenges of unmolding, and why vegetarian cocktail jellies are difficult. The episode also covers powdered gelatin, Jell-O’s rise through marketing and refrigeration, jello shots, 3D gelatin syringe art, and pop culture and record moments involving Jell-O. You can follow and support this week's guests, Solid Wiggles co-owners Jena Derman and Jack Schramm here: Solid Wiggles Cookbook | Recipes and Techniques for Phenomenal Jelly Shots and Cakes — Solid Wiggles Solid Wiggles by Jena Derman, Jack Schramm: 9780593838143 | [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788197/solid-wiggles-by-jena-derman-and-jack-schramm/] PenguinRandomHouse.com [⁠PenguinRandomHouse.com]: Books https://www.instagram.com/tenspeedpress/ [https://www.instagram.com/tenspeedpress/] https://www.instagram.com/solidwiggles/ [https://www.instagram.com/solidwiggles/] See behind the scenes photos and video here: http://instagram.com/sprungonfood [http://instagram.com/sprungonfood] Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung [https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung] You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here: Website: http://katherinesprung.com [http://katherinesprung.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung [https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung] Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up*: Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S [https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S] Descript: https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH [https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH] About the show: Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. *Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Jelly Desserts Intro 00:18 Meet Solid Wiggles 01:14 Origins and Early Popups 05:21 From Hobby to Business 06:57 Medieval Gelatin Roots 08:16 Blancmange Evolution 09:33 Modern Flavor R&D 12:27 Aspics and Victorian Molds 16:30 Unmolding and Craft Tips 18:42 Asian Plant Based Jellies 21:43 Vegetarian Gel Challenges 24:58 Powder Gelatin and Jello 26:49 Naming Solid Wiggles 27:49 Midcentury Jello Boom 29:21 Rise of Jello Shots 31:33 3D Jelly Art Techniques 35:10 Global Brands and Today 37:31 Pop Culture and Records 41:28 Final Thoughts and Wrap

The History Of Pancakes

On this episode of Sprung On Food, host Kae Sprung talks the history of pancakes with returning guest Erika Kwee (Pancake Princess). The episode traces pancake-like foods back to early agriculture and Ötzi the Iceman, then follows written records from ancient Greece (tēganitēs) and Roman recipes, through medieval Shrove Tuesday “Pancake Day” traditions and England’s pancake races. It explains how American pancakes became fluffy through chemical leaveners like pearl ash, saleratus (baking soda), and commercial baking powder (including Rumford), then highlights the rise of boxed mixes via Pearl Milling Company/Aunt Jemima, the brand’s 2021 renaming, and diner culture culminating in IHOP. They also touch on pop-culture moments, records, and recipe suggestions like Golden Diner’s NYT recipe and Erika’s own. You can follow and support this week's guest, Erika Kwee here: Blog: https://www.thepancakeprincess.com/ [https://www.thepancakeprincess.com/] IG: https://www.instagram.com/thepancakeprincess [https://www.instagram.com/thepancakeprincess] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pancake.princess [https://www.tiktok.com/@pancake.princess] Substack: https://thepancakeprincess.substack.com/ [https://thepancakeprincess.substack.com/] See behind the scenes photos and video here: http://instagram.com/sprungonfood [http://instagram.com/sprungonfood] Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung [https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung] You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here: Website: http://katherinesprung.com [http://katherinesprung.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung [https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung] Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up*: Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S [https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S] Descript: https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH [https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH] About the show: Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. *Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Pancake Love Intro 02:17 Toppings And Boundaries 04:12 Defining The Pancake 05:42 Prehistoric Origins 10:10 Ancient Greece And Rome 12:17 Medieval Pancake Day 13:28 Pancake Races Idea 16:20 Colonial Recipes To Fluff 17:36 Leavening Breakthroughs 24:37 Mixes Diners And IHOP 28:27 Best Pancake Spots 32:31 Pop Culture And Records 36:14 Recipe Picks Farewell 38:12 Closing Credits

The History Of Parfait

On this episode of Sprung On Food, host Kae Sprung talks with holistic wellness coach and raw, plant-based Chef Beee about why fruit parfait is her favorite food, its “sexy” silky texture, versatility, and her go-to cashew-based citrus cream layered with not-too-sweet berries and fresh herbs. Kae traces parfait’s evolution from a 19th-century French frozen custard (documented by Jules Gouffé in 1867) to America’s tall-glass layered dessert culture, then to lighter yogurt-and-fruit breakfast versions, Japan’s meticulously composed fruit-parlor parfaits, and McDonald’s mass-market fruit-and-yogurt parfait (1999–2020). Chef Beee shares her favorite tools (garlic press and cooking with chopsticks), a special Guyanese dal she’d make for her chef father, and tips for making parfaits at home as a fun, nutritionally dense snack or breakfast using add-ins like chia, elderberry powder, and beet powder. You can follow and support this week's guest, Chef Beee here: https://www.instagram.com/iamchefbeee/ [https://www.instagram.com/iamchefbeee/] https://www.youtube.com/chefbeee [https://www.youtube.com/chefbeee ] https://www.tiktok.com/@iamchefbeee [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamchefbeee ] https://www.facebook.com/iamchefbeee/ [https://www.facebook.com/iamchefbeee/ ] See behind the scenes photos and video here: http://instagram.com/sprungonfood [http://instagram.com/sprungonfood] Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung [https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung] You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here: Website: http://katherinesprung.com [http://katherinesprung.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung [https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung] Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up*: Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S [https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S] Descript: https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH [https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH] About the show: Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. *Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Parfait Love Intro 01:01 Why Parfait Feels Sexy 02:02 Cashew Citrus Dream 04:47 Batching And Gifting 06:00 French Origins Perfect Dessert 08:38 Cooking For Dad Guyanese Dal 11:38 America Reinvents Parfait 12:39 Favorite Tools Garlic And Chopsticks 14:52 Yogurt Parfait Goes Mainstream 16:16 Japanese Fruit Parfait Art 18:43 McDonalds Parfait Era 21:20 Make It Better At Home 26:16 Parfait Today And Wrap Up 30:21 Pop Culture And Final Tips 33:42 Thanks And Subscribe

ENCORE: The History Of Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is trending. We might be psychic! Almost 1 year ago we recorded this episode, The History Of Frozen Yogurt, and we called it. So, if you've recently jumped on the FroYo bandwagon, you can listen to this encore episode while you wait in those long lines to get your treat! In this episode of Sprung On Food, we dive into the history of frozen yogurt with guest Sarah Ross, a cancer nurse and comedian. Sarah shares her love for FroYo, and the episode explores the rich history of frozen yogurt, from its accidental beginnings in ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day innovations and marketing strategies. Learn about key players like TCBY, Pinkberry, and Red Mango, and discover what makes FroYo a beloved dessert today. Packed with fun anecdotes, historical insights, and a sprinkle of pop culture, this episode is a treat for any frozen yogurt enthusiast. See behind the scenes photos and video here: http://instagram.com/sprungonfood [http://instagram.com/sprungonfood] Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung [https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung] You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here: Website: http://katherinesprung.com [http://katherinesprung.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung [https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung] Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up*: Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S [https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S] Descript: https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH [https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH] About the show: Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. *Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Introduction to Frozen Yogurt 00:18 Guest Introduction: Sarah Ross 00:53 Sarah's Frozen Yogurt Journey 01:48 Frozen Yogurt Preferences and Tips 02:46 Frozen Yogurt Toppings Debate 06:07 The History of Frozen Yogurt 07:22 The Science Behind Frozen Yogurt 08:21 Marketing and Popularity of Frozen Yogurt 13:24 The Rise of Frozen Yogurt Chains 14:25 The Origins of TCBY 15:30 The Frozen Yogurt Craze of the 1980s 17:20 The Rise of Pinkberry and the Second Wave 18:58 The Self-Serve Froyo Boom 28:58 Frozen Yogurt in Pop Culture 32:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts