Anthropology Bites

#63 Baru: The nut that survived the fire

The baru nut is suddenly everywhere but its story began centuries ago in the fire‑scarred savannas of Brazil. In this episode, we uncover its origins, cultural meaning, and why the world is finally paying attention.

#62 Jícama: sweet earth, crisp bite

A crisp, sweet root with a long memory. This episode uncovers how jícama moved from Indigenous fields to global kitchens.

#61 Chufa: The ancient root behind horchata

Tiny root, long journey. Chufa travels from ancient deserts to modern horchata, carrying sweetness, memory, and culture.

#60 Jacuticaba: The ephemeral fruit

A tiny fruit with a strange kind of magic, jabuticaba grows directly on the skin of the tree, turning trunks into constellations of deep purple. In this episode, we explore its fleeting sweetness, its place in Brazilian memory, and the way a single bite can feel like stepping into someone’s childhood.

#59 Sugar: From cane to candy

Brief, warm, Carmen‑style description: A quick dive into how sugar shaped our bodies, our cravings, and entire empires , from ancient sweetness to modern excess, and why this tiny crystal still rules our rituals, memories, and economies.