The Plants We Eat

About The Plants We Eat: From apples and artichokes to digitalis and peyote, our world is full of amazing plants that we interact with on a daily basis. This greenery can sustain us, intoxicate us, cure us of disease, and even kill us. Join us as we investigate the surprising history, biology, and culture behind The Plants We Eat.

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Cattails

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one plant, this is the one you should be stuck with!

Cinnamon

Tree bark never tasted so good!

Pineapple

With many flowers that fuse to become a single fruit, this South American native is a truly unique plant.

Hops

If you like your beer hoppy then you’ve got to know this little gem of a flower!

Capers

Not daring robberies or clever thefts, capers are little pickled….no wait, that would be telling! Listen to the podcast and find out. And if you have exciting plant ideas for our next season of The Plants We Eat then e-mail me at jgillman@uncc.edu

Saffron

This is the most expensive spice in the world. Who would have thought it would have such a huge following in central Pennsylvania?

Clove

‘Tis the season to find out what cloves really are!

Vanilla

The title says vanilla, but you can’t discuss vanilla without discussing the 12 year old orphaned slave who made vanilla production possible.

Peach

Despite the term “Georgia Peach” the peach isn’t really a southern crop naturally, it became one out of necessity.

Cranberries

It’s almost Thanksgiving! Time to pay homage to a sour native with a cult following.