Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón

The Industrial Revolution: Tinned Fish Edition

The Industrial Revolution didn’t just remake factories and cities, it transformed how the world eats. In this episode, Eva and Maite trace its origins in England and its uneven spread across the United States and Latin America, shaping labor, extraction, and global trade in very different ways. They explore how these industrial systems laid the groundwork for today’s climate crisis, then zoom in on tuna and tinned fish. From mass production to fancy cans, it’s a story of how industrial systems turned ocean life into shelf-stable commodities, and how we’re now rebranding them as luxury. Food Chains Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vw-qTCW8fo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snap, Crackle, Pop: The Story of Breakfast Cereal

Breakfast hasn’t always been sweet, crunchy, or aimed at children. In this episode, Eva and Maite trace the surprisingly strange history of cereal: from its origins as a moral prescription and digestive aid in the 19th century, to the rise of sugary cartoon mascots, toys in boxes, the nostalgia of Saturday-morning cartoons, and the modern return to ancient grains. Join them for a crunchy look at how breakfast reflects our shifting ideas about health, pleasure, and what it means to eat “right." Perfect Granola Recipe: https://www.seriouseats.com/eleven-madison-park-granola-salty-recipe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuffed! Arepas, Gorditas and Pupusas

What do arepas, gorditas, and pupusas have in common? Each is a golden pocket of corn masa — crisp on the outside, tender within — stuffed with everything from beans and cheese to meats and vegetables. In this episode, Eva and Maite explore the histories behind the Venezuelan and Colombian arepa, the Mexican gordita, and the Salvadoran pupusa, and ask a bigger question: why do stuffed foods taste so good? Along the way, they talk migration, identity, and how corn-based foods carry memory across borders. They also tap into a timely conversation: California recently passed a law requiring folic acid to be added to corn masa products like tortillas — a move intended to improve public health, but one that has sparked debate about tradition, nutrition, and how food policy intersects with culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Butter Me Up!

Butter is so ordinary we barely notice it — until you stop and ask how it’s made, who made it first, and why it once symbolized power, wealth, and even ritual life. In this episode, Eva and Maite trace butter’s story from its accidental invention to its central place in religious and ceremonial traditions. They explore how butter became one of the earliest globally traded foods, prized for its portability, shelf life, and value long before refrigeration, and how it signaled status across cultures. Along the way, they break down the simple alchemy of turning cream into butter and pause at butter’s most controversial rival: margarine! They travel to France, where butter reshaped baking and regional identities and speak with baker Clémence de Lutz of Santa Monica’s Petitgrain Boulangerie and learn how laminated dough turns butter into edible architecture. Link to Petitgrain Boulangerie: https://www.petitgrainboulangerie.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bread and Today’s Battle for Justice

Eva and Maite opened the season with a series on revolutions, asking a simple but urgent question: what does it take for people to finally say, enough? This week, Maite talks with Clémence de Lutz of Santa Monica’s Petitgrain Boulangerie about bread, strikes, and social responsibility. A baker and activist, Clémence reflects on food as a political act and how our everyday choices carry real weight. It’s a reminder that bread has always carried meaning beyond the oven, especially in moments of social tension. If you are able, consider donating to: Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights National Immigrant Law Center Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.