How Did This Become a Thing?
This dessert, popularized in American Chinese food, is actually thought to have originated in Japan.
What are fortune cookies?
This grain is so popular in western countries that the Andean people in Bolivia and Peru where it is grown cannot afford to buy this staple because of surging food prices.
What is quinoa?
The US led an overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in order to seize control of the production of this common household sweetener.
What is sugar?
Before becoming an expensive meal, this food was created by Japanese fishermen as a way to preserve fish by covering it in fermented rice.
What is sushi?
Since this hardy green began being advertised as a superfood in 2011, the price has increased from $0.88/bunch to about $2.50/bunch.
What is kale?
The large global demand for this fruit has led the growing industry in Mexico to become a prime target for cartels, which seize farms and clear protected woodlands to plant their own groves.
What is avocado?
Though this food made its way into traditional Mexican recipes and is now a regular fixture in Mexican cuisine, the origins of this food are rooted in colonization. Hint: the indigenous version is made from corn.
What are flour tortillas?
Before being popularized by foodie culture in the US, this nutrient dense seed was a staple food for the Aztecs, who revered it so much they used it for religious ceremonies and medicinal purposes.
What are chia seeds?
Because of its necessity in food preservation, this seasoning has been an extremely valuable commodity throughout history; taxes and monopolies have led to wars over it throughout the world.
What is salt?
Originally a staple in the dishes of low income populations around the world, the stomach lining of a variety of animals (mostly cows) is now a growing fixture on the menus of high-end restaurants.
What is tripe?
This staple of many South and Southeast Asian cuisines is popular in the US for its oil, nut and dairy free milk, and water.
What is coconut?
These fruits can be sprayed with up to 36 different types of pesticides. Exposure to pesticides can cause workers to suffer from a variety of symptoms, including vomiting, headaches, itches, and more. Every year, doctors diagnose up to 20,000 poisonings a year among agricultural workers (not just from this fruit, but all pesticide exposure).
What are strawberries (grown with pesticides)?
Despite the fact that it names a tropical US state, this food was actually created in Canada as a fusion of foods eaten by soldiers in Italy and the South Pacific during World War II.
What is Hawaiian pizza?
This popular berry touted for its health benefits and popular in juices and smoothies was once a daily staple for those who grew and harvested it in Central and South America.
What is acai?
In the 18th century, this leaf was exclusively grown in China and caused wars between its exclusive grower and Britain, a major consumer of drinks made from the leaves.
What is tea?
This seafood was once for the common people and cost only pennies to eat, but as sea life began to die, the supply of this food became exclusive for those who could afford it.
What are oysters?
Whole Foods's 2014 ad campaign claiming this food “is the new kale,” sparked backlash about food gentrification and the attempts to separate the hardy green vegetable from its association with the diets of working class and indigenous people.
What are collards?
Despite the fact that some consumers have become more conscious of purchasing this product in a way that focuses on the treatment of the animals, the production of the food is still incredibly dangerous for workers. The industry has some of the highest rates of occupational injury and illness in the country.
What is beef?
This “spice” often used in western adaptations of Indian food is a blend of turmeric, cumin, chili, and fenugreek and is a creation of the British in an attempt to bring the flavors of the lands they colonized back home in a simple way.
What is curry powder?
From smoothies to muffins, this powder, originally used as a focal point for the Japanese tea ceremony, is now a prominent food trend for health-conscious American consumers.
What is matcha?
This spice originated in Sri Lanka and has been the desired prize of many wars between the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English until the late 18th century, in attempts to lay claim to the world's only supplier.
What is cinnamon?
Eating this mollusk was usually frowned upon during Europe’s history until the French aristocracy decided it was a delicacy.
What is escargot/snails?
A cultural staple for many, this food with a savory pad and sweet fruit has approximately one hundred and fourteen known species indigenous to Mexico. Frequent consumers of this plant fear it will become too expensive if popularized in America.
What are nopales?
In Honduras, diving for this popular and expensive seafood is the only way many can find to make a living, despite the risks such as illness, paralysis, and even death.
What is lobster?
Now widely eaten as a comfort food in Native American culture, this food can be traced back to the introduction of wheat by European colonizers.
What is fry bread?
As early as 4000 BC, this seed was one of the first plants ever domesticated in Ethiopia. Once exclusively grown in Ethiopia, it has now made its way to American soil, where there is a rising demand for the gluten-free grain.
What is teff?
American armies were called into Central America throughout the 20th century to stop revolutions, strikes, or anything that might affect the consistent production of this fruit.
What are bananas?
Before the 18th century, the bones of animals were smashed to get to this substance, high in fat and protein. Now, it is often served as a trendy appetizer and eaten with a special little spoon.
What is bone marrow?
This omega-3 rich vegetable, often recognized as a weed that grows in the cracks in the sidewalk, has started to gain mainstream popularity as a delicacy in recent years.
What is purslane/verdolagas?
This industry in Thailand has been reported for human rights abuses, with reports detailing forced labor, confinement, and prison-like conditions; workers often receive low or no pay or are held in debt.
What is fishing?