Food History: Soul Food

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  • Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
  • Soul food can be a divisive term. How is soul food different than Southern food? Does soul food refer to rib-sticking food like fried chicken and ribs, or more everyday fare like red beans and rice? Soul food pioneers like Princess Pamela point the way towards an answer. Join Justin Dodd, Chris Scott, and Dr. Jessica B. Harris as they explore the history of soul food.
    Special thanks to -
    Chef Chris Scott
    Dr. Jessica B. Harris
    The Institute of Culinary Education
    & The Museum of Food and Drink
    And make sure to real the full article about Pamela Strobel from Mayukh Sen here: food52.com/blog/18949-she-was...
    Food History is a new series from Mental Floss where we dive deep into the culinary stories that lead to the food on our plates. If you have an idea for a dish, cooking technique, or cuisine that you’d like us to explore in a future episode, tell us in the comments.
    For the origins of mashed potatoes, check out our earlier episode of Food History: • Food History: Mashed P...
    Website: www.mentalfloss.com
    Twitter: / mental_floss
    Facebook: / mentalflossmagazine

Комментарии • 279

  • @hiccuphufflepuff176
    @hiccuphufflepuff176 4 года назад +94

    I never knew where the fried chicken stereotype came from. I learned a lot from this video. Thanks for making it.

  • @infoscholar5221
    @infoscholar5221 2 года назад +36

    You do a great job here, bro. I'm from Alabama, and the denial runs pretty deep here about the black contribution to Southern Culture, on so many levels. After the confederate loss of the Civil War, white folks had to start eating what the black folks had been living on. 75% of Southern Cuisine is indistinguishable from "Soul Food," because we all lived side by side, using the same humble ingredients, and the white folks copied the black folks. Don't get me started on music. Oh, yeah, I'm white, btw.

    • @jamesmurray8558
      @jamesmurray8558 Год назад

      Very good.

    • @declanstewart5690
      @declanstewart5690 2 месяца назад

      The origins of these foods are very well recorded. To say white people copied blacks is just ahistorical. The truth is white people and black people in the south share a lot of the same culture because they lived so close to one another in really intimate conditions. No racial group can really lay claim to all of american culture, certainly not black Americans.

  • @dsf8497
    @dsf8497 4 года назад +77

    I’m only 90 seconds in, but starting out with Princess Pamela and having Dr. Jessica B. Harris in the first 90 seconds has made me _really_ excited for this video. I studied Soul Food while in college, and it’s history is often overlooked as well as much of what it actually is is erased. Seeing that in the first 1:30 is really exciting/promising!
    One thing: the origin of the term ‘Soul Food’ likely originates from W. E. B. DuBois’ essay, _The Soul of Black Folk,_ not from Shakespeare or the Church.
    Also: OMG! The discussion of celebration food vs everyday food is so important & I’m so happy y’all included it! Although the pioneer of that term is Alice Randall & Caroline Randall-Williams in their book, _Soul Food Love._
    Another thing: the _real_ day for celebration food for enslaved people was the 4th of July (Frederick Douglass wrote fairly extensively about it). The food cooked on that day was part of the origin of barbecue.
    Also: Sylvia Woods, Leah Chase, & Edna Lewis ❤️
    This is a phenomenal video. Really well done.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +11

      Aw thank you! It sounds like we could've had you as a guest! The Shakespeare thing was definitely tenuous- we tried to word it that way- but we thought it was pretty cool to see how the term had evolved over the years. I'm curious, since you seem quite informed on the topic: any pioneers in the cuisine who you think get overlooked? Or favorite stories/facts related to soul food?

    • @dsf8497
      @dsf8497 4 года назад +14

      Michael Twitty, Adrian E. Miller, & Alice Randall would’ve been some other good people to speak to who have been pioneers both in the cuisine and our understanding of Soul Food. But like it also depends on what you mean by pioneer, because people like even Elijah Muhammad and Maya Angelou have been influential. Another good person to look at would be Rufus Estes. If you want to look at a modern chef, Marcus Samuelsson would be great. Oh! And also Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor, and American anthropologist and author of _Vibration Cooking_ (and some other cookbooks), she would’ve been a GREAT person to look into for this. I mean, there’s a lot, but for a sub-20 minute video y’all did a great job.
      Edit: if there were only 2 more people you should’ve referenced/included, I’d say Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor & Michael Twitty would be the two best/most important to include.

  • @GreyDevil
    @GreyDevil 4 года назад +99

    Really excellent video. Some Latin American dishes also have a connection to Africa because of the slave trade, it's a marriage of native dishes, European and African. It's certainly important to look at some of the things we eat and understand its history, it connects us to each other and also the people who came before us.

    • @SOULAANI_
      @SOULAANI_ 3 года назад

      @Hunter Giovanni yea shut yall lyin asses up he's a scammer

    • @VGB004
      @VGB004 2 года назад

      Europe had African slaves b4 the America's did... Some foods have all their history from black hands.

  • @mfrenchcazenovia
    @mfrenchcazenovia 2 года назад +5

    White girl here. Not a fan of sweet potatoes, but I LOVE okra! And collards cooked with ham hocks, corn bread, black-eyed peas and fried fish. There is so much in the culinary world to explore! And it's all right here.

  • @CrystalWilliamsoncoach
    @CrystalWilliamsoncoach 4 года назад +28

    OMG I asked for a sign to continue my own RUclips channel - you gave it to me today with the shout out Justin!! Thank you!!! By the way I met Dr Harris at an Essence magazine event eons ago. PS - love the shirt

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

      Yay! We really do appreciate all the suggestions. Food is such a huge topic, it always helps when a comment sparks a conversation in the office (that is...back when we were in an office 😕).

  • @suddieparry3940
    @suddieparry3940 3 года назад +22

    You just made me realise something. In Jamaica, we say "nyam" which means to eat which must come from a West African language like you said. Mind blown!

  • @andyzhang7890
    @andyzhang7890 2 года назад +12

    What an eye opening history. It’s incredible how the story of soul food is so intrinsically tied to the struggle and perseverance of African Americans through history. It reminds me of when I learned that Jerk Chicken is prepared and smoked without they way is was by escaped slaves specifically to evade the slave owners that were looking for them.

  • @matthewdrummond1340
    @matthewdrummond1340 4 года назад +39

    Fried chicken the glue that holds the world together regardless of skin colour etc.. Well unless you're vegan or even vegetarian then my condolences. 🤷‍♂️

    • @kitlandcosmos8445
      @kitlandcosmos8445 4 года назад +4

      fried meat alternatives are delicious too!

    • @matthewdrummond1340
      @matthewdrummond1340 4 года назад +3

      @@kitlandcosmos8445 actually yeah 🙂 KFC has a meatless sandwich with the herbs and spices. Delicious! Deep anything.

    • @characterasmrgirl5430
      @characterasmrgirl5430 3 года назад +1

      Lol

  • @queenbbeaute2654
    @queenbbeaute2654 Год назад +7

    I find it hilarious how the low cuts of meat are now expensive and high demand and are Now seen as Traditional American Southern Cuisine isn't it funny 😁 Thank u so much for telling the Truth they try there best to hide our contributions to this society Stay Blessed 🙏🏽

    • @AWesker99
      @AWesker99 7 дней назад

      Facts. I was pissed when White people found out about oxtails, pig feet, and neckbones.
      The prices doubled overnight.
      Why couldn't they "discover" stuff I don't want like like chitlins and hog maws?

  • @umarscamartistjohnson1784
    @umarscamartistjohnson1784 3 года назад +8

    This is how a video is supposed to be made 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

  • @averagejoebitcoin
    @averagejoebitcoin 2 года назад +5

    I’m no bleeding heart. I don’t put black squares on IG. But that was powerful and insightful. That chef from ICE brought me to tears when I heard his reverence for soul food and what it means to him.
    I now can understand why some black peoples refuse to eat fried chicken in public. The unkind and hateful cultures have embarrassed him into forgetting his history and his specific generational strife.
    That unawareness leads to low brow ridicule and unintended cruelty.
    I won’t censor others or myself. But if I do engage in cheap jokes and snickers, I’ll be sure to follow up with an even more forceful commentary on our “jokes” possible unintended consequences. As low vibration as it is to not give it any more thought to our silly words, I’ll always follow up with a push for a higher understanding of the meaning of “soul food”.
    The beauty of it when it’s contextualized is to tell the story of human struggle and perseverance.
    Thank you

  • @Taradise34
    @Taradise34 10 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for this. I love my people, culture, and the energy that we ARE. We have contributed greatly to a land that still doesn't feel like home to us... But at least we have soul and food. ❤ 🖤 💚

  • @kaziiqbal7257
    @kaziiqbal7257 4 года назад +4

    I could listen to Dr. Harris talk about food for hours

  • @miathomas9740
    @miathomas9740 4 года назад +33

    In the time of quarantine baking I’d love to see a history of sourdough or fermentation in general! #itsalive

    • @leumas75
      @leumas75 4 года назад +4

      Mia Thomas Yes Please!!!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +7

      Oo this is very good. We're doing some a short video on Facebook about making your own starter, but this would be a fascinating area to dive into.

  • @ashleywebb8769
    @ashleywebb8769 4 года назад +56

    Thank you for this. I think you did a really good job of explaining the roots of soul food. It's often misunderstood and taken for granted. Especially the part about chicken. The next time you mfrs make fun of black people for eating fried chicken, try to understand why it was/is a part of our cultural cuisine 🗣🗣🗣 and yes. I said what I said.

    • @epistax4
      @epistax4 4 года назад +8

      I don't understand how or why people even would make fun. Maybe it's a jealous reaction. If I see someone eating fried chicken, then I want to eat it too!

    • @sarahroth7034
      @sarahroth7034 4 года назад +2

      Who the hell makes fun of African Americans for eating fried chicken? That's a thing racists do?

    • @ashleywebb8769
      @ashleywebb8769 4 года назад

      @@sarahroth7034 Sarah go to bed.

    • @saliimb.7876
      @saliimb.7876 4 года назад +4

      Sarah Roth many people it’s ignorance at its best but I’m very suprised you’ve never heard of this stereotype or the watermelon stereotype.

    • @tammi67able
      @tammi67able 2 года назад +1

      @@epistax4 lol true

  • @nikolausdeems1922
    @nikolausdeems1922 4 года назад +7

    After listening to Dr. Harris talk about gumbo, y’all should do a show about all the delicious Cajun and creole food from Louisiana.

  • @nopomegranates521
    @nopomegranates521 2 месяца назад

    absolutely love how the chef has briefly but s powerfully expressed his respect and adoration towards the soul food and its history... very talented and spiritually advanced man!! ty for this video to you too :)

  • @baritonetenor
    @baritonetenor 4 года назад +15

    The shirt is hella fresh also watching this show never fails to make me super hungry.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад

      Honestly, the greatest two compliments you could give. If you're around tomorrow night at 7pm East Coast US time, check out Justin's shirt game in our new live trivia show (sorry for sneaking in the plug!) ruclips.net/video/rRzF244Mdos/видео.html

  • @brandongarrison1005
    @brandongarrison1005 2 года назад +3

    You guys did an excellent job. Quite an exceptional job. This deserves an Emmy.

  • @godnoble
    @godnoble 4 года назад +13

    Do an episode about British food and how it came to have such a reputation for blandness. I heard a bit about it in regards to Downton Abbey and how they went from extravagant Edwardian dishes to post-war scarcity.

    • @AbelleveMe
      @AbelleveMe 3 года назад +1

      Oh this would be very interesting!

  • @clairezalla
    @clairezalla 4 года назад +2

    Thank you so much, Mental Floss! Last summer, I spent about a week in Rwanda and three months in Benin. In Rwanda, they had "sweet potatoes" which were actually *very* sweet with white insides, but I also spoke with a social entrepreneur who made more nutritious bread using "sweet potatoes" with orange insides. Then in Benin they had "yams," but they were totally unlike "American yams" because they were pounded into a white, putty-like texture called ignam pile. Every time I tried to clarify, no one seemed to know what I was confused about! So basically, I never knew what anyone was talking about when they said sweet potato or yam. I just assumed it would be good :)
    I also did get to eat sauce feuille in Benin - to be honest, it is a gloopy, pretty unappetizing texture, but it is a welcome green addition to a heavy starch meal :)

  • @clearmenser
    @clearmenser 4 года назад +3

    Fantastic! Thanks for opening my eyes to this important history. MORE!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад

      Woo! Thanks for the kind words! In case RUclips hasn't already pushed all our old episodes on you, you can see them here: ruclips.net/p/PLYT7t0pcxEINn7R0XjGy3aj4cuLj8bn9U

  • @TheSublimeLifestyle
    @TheSublimeLifestyle 3 года назад +11

    Powerful video. Very reflective on how much culture exists between African Americans. And how much of it has been downplayed or washed.
    Thank you!

  • @diegomauriciobravogonzalez1272
    @diegomauriciobravogonzalez1272 3 года назад

    Beautiful work! Thanks for the production.

  • @molliescrizisbryck797
    @molliescrizisbryck797 3 года назад +4

    this was one of the most pleasantly informative videos I've ever watched, I learned a lot and enjoyed learning it. thank you

  • @gregsubrinacollier1746
    @gregsubrinacollier1746 4 года назад +4

    I appreciate this! Its a great synopsis of some major points of soul food!

  • @christinaterry709
    @christinaterry709 4 года назад +7

    This is my favorite video of this series so far!! I loved the guest interviews

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +3

      Aw thanks! Glad to hear, because it took a pretty good amount of work and hasn't gotten a ton of views lol. But this kind of feedback really helps reassure us-not everything has to be about a ton of views, sometimes a good story is just worth telling. Hopefully we won't have to socially distance TOO much longer, because we had some plans for some other cool guests coming up (or maybe we'll just go ahead and Zoom w/ them, as well).

  • @CaptainPIanet
    @CaptainPIanet 4 года назад +17

    This was a really well set up video! I especially like the experts that you brought on and the way it seamlessly fit in with the overall narrative.

  • @empresslonnie1love391
    @empresslonnie1love391 2 года назад

    I truly didn’t know how watching this video how spiritual and touched I got . 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🧘🏿‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️

  • @astoldbyt3683
    @astoldbyt3683 4 года назад +90

    Black girl here. Not gonna lie, when I saw the title I cringed prematurely, but I must say this video was well done. Thank you for showcasing my culture in a tasteful, informative, respectful, accurate way. It’s a nice change of pace!

    • @mariaa9056
      @mariaa9056 3 года назад +8

      Why did it make u cringe?

    • @molliescrizisbryck797
      @molliescrizisbryck797 3 года назад +8

      @@mariaa9056 because hes a white boy talking about African American food culture/history.

    • @Lord_Pilaf
      @Lord_Pilaf 2 года назад +33

      @@molliescrizisbryck797 Its cringey that people think this way. If you know what you're talking about it shouldn't matter what your race is.

    • @molliescrizisbryck797
      @molliescrizisbryck797 2 года назад +6

      @@Lord_Pilaf yeah, its sad.

    • @ClickClack_Bam
      @ClickClack_Bam 2 года назад

      She cringed because she is brainwashed that it couldn't be possible for a yt person to ever research & talk about something bk.
      She sees everything through the lense of race because she's the actual racist person.
      She believes bk people can't be racist though...
      She believes that yts 'commit' cultural appropriation despite speaking our yt language & using yt technology dozens of times per day & using yt medical advances.
      She believed when she saw the title that "it's a nice change of pace" because she foolishly things yts butcher bk topics because she feels bks are superior despite EVERY measure of intelligence they fall dead last but just above mental ru-turd-ation.

  • @gretahardin1392
    @gretahardin1392 3 года назад +1

    Holy MOLEY - when you described Princess Pamela's restaurant... I realize I went there. I was taken there by an ex-Boyfriend with NO context. My father grew up in Georgia... and this was the food his family's cook served me as a little kid.
    It all makes sense. Damn.

  • @MrSpankee02
    @MrSpankee02 2 года назад +1

    Great segment.well done.

  • @sneedville80
    @sneedville80 4 года назад +1

    Great job!!! This was an awesome video!!!

  • @anakawall
    @anakawall 3 года назад

    Amazing video! So happy i've found this channel, amazing content!!!!

  • @dosueke
    @dosueke 3 года назад +2

    This was sooooooo so good. Thank you!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  3 года назад

      Thanks for watching! It was a lot of fun to make and learn from some great experts in the field, something we'd like to do more of moving forward!

  • @borchmore9
    @borchmore9 4 года назад +10

    If you haven't done one already maybe make a video about food preservation.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

      We just shot that video the other day actually! It's going to be for our Facebook rather than RUclips, since it's more how-to and less "the history of." But we're also gonna dive into preservation later in this series...

  • @Zeldarw104
    @Zeldarw104 4 года назад +7

    Shakespeare really!!?🤔
    Check it out I have never had a "Yam" in my life but I've known plenty of sweet potatoes: my mom makes a myriad of sweet potato, pies, during Christmas and Thanksgiving that she sells to friends or other.
    Okra-🤢 "Grandma hands" made the best corn bread that turned into the greatest cornbread dressing everrr!
    I was born and raised in Chicago, and one of the best soul food restaurants on the southeast side was named "Glady's soul food".... If you're of a certain demographic, and age, you're very familiar with her restaurant lines around the corner, oh yeah.💖 Excellent food. 👍🏾

    • @dsf8497
      @dsf8497 4 года назад +2

      Zelda Williams W. E. B. DuBois’ essay, _The Soul of Black Folk,_ is more likely the origin than Shakespeare.

    • @MrsShocoTaco
      @MrsShocoTaco 4 года назад +1

      @@dsf8497 I'd say that's more likely. Soul food definitely came from African people & I doubt any of them cared enough for Shakespeare to name their food after one obscure line in one of his stories. Shakespeare gets credit for too much. Some don't even believe he wrote any of his work, but ,that's another video.

  • @nathanhill9208
    @nathanhill9208 Год назад

    Thank you for making this video

  • @RingPop14
    @RingPop14 4 года назад +5

    Well done guys this was cool!

    • @niclu
      @niclu 3 года назад

      I agree!!! Wonderfully done. Authentic.

  • @avondalemama470
    @avondalemama470 3 месяца назад

    White girl here and I absolutely looooooove okra. ❤❤❤ Great video, thanks for sharing.

  • @cccoco9242
    @cccoco9242 3 года назад

    Great video very informative and interesting.god bless you

  • @suzanneroberge494
    @suzanneroberge494 Год назад

    Thank you so much! What a really interesting topic, & I learned a lot.

  • @PepperAnnRunway
    @PepperAnnRunway 3 года назад

    I grew up on soul food and I really liked this video.

  • @Shoelander23
    @Shoelander23 10 месяцев назад

    Subscribed from this video alone, so knowledgeable

  • @grubba167
    @grubba167 4 года назад +1

    Really loving your videos.
    Topics i would be interested in include chicken noodle soup, bacon, candy bars, pickles, beer

  • @whiskeyzhang8029
    @whiskeyzhang8029 2 года назад

    Don't know if you guys still read comments of this vid, but there's a misused image at 5:31. You'r referring to possibly Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) or yellow Guinea yam (Dioscorea cayenensis), yet put an image of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.), which are essentially two different things of different origins.

  • @littleblacksubmarie
    @littleblacksubmarie 2 года назад

    I'm not mad at this, great job

  • @hoshamahmed1705
    @hoshamahmed1705 3 года назад

    Thank You.

  • @davetheman2615
    @davetheman2615 2 года назад

    Hi Justin, could you possibly look at Food in the Caribbean, particularly, the way African ways of cooking, was mixed with whatever the Slave holders handed out. i.e Oxtail, Tripe, and the spices which had to be blended etc

  • @nikihollingsworth9791
    @nikihollingsworth9791 Год назад

    White girl here and I could sit at Dr. Harris’s feet and just listen to her tell the cullinary tales of African and African Americans all day. I thought I knew what soul food was until I saw this video. (Hubris on my part anyone? Please forgive me.). I want a copy of Princess Pamela’s cookbook now. 😀

  • @CartersEat
    @CartersEat 2 года назад

    Fantastic... I have to find that book. New Subscriber

  • @dewaynegunter2955
    @dewaynegunter2955 3 года назад +2

    I love Okra, in every way it is made. when I go to "buffets" I get a plate of steak and a plate of okra

  • @justice4most
    @justice4most 2 года назад +1

    It's a shame this video doesn't have more views.

  • @katlong3945
    @katlong3945 4 года назад +6

    I like okra! Pickled and fried especially.

  • @7skyhorse
    @7skyhorse 4 года назад +1

    did not expect to fucking cry thanks Chef Chris Scott

  • @AnyZee
    @AnyZee 4 года назад +3

    Looking smart, Justin! 😏 Nice to hear from the experts too 😊

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Thanks! It was fun to be a little more ambitious with this episode (even w/ half of production taking place in quarantine ;-)

    • @AnyZee
      @AnyZee 4 года назад

      @@MentalFloss Can't wait for the next Tub Trivia 👍

  • @FanofAlmostEvery
    @FanofAlmostEvery 4 года назад +6

    In Patois which is the language in Jamaica nyam is means eat.

    • @cappyjones
      @cappyjones 4 года назад +2

      I was coming to say this! 👍🏾🇯🇲

    • @autumnjade815
      @autumnjade815 3 года назад +1

      Yes 🙌🏾

  • @user-wi8gp7zw8i
    @user-wi8gp7zw8i 3 года назад +3

    is there a connection between the fried chicken pictured in this video and the first version of fried chicken made by the Scottish? just curious if the two cultures shared traditions at some point in history.

    • @queenbbeaute2654
      @queenbbeaute2654 Год назад +2

      Scottish pan fried chicken they never deep fried it in batter

  • @angelamartin362
    @angelamartin362 2 года назад +1

    Fun Fact: Japanese cuisine refer to okra's "slime" as neba neba. Japanese people think neba neba foods like okra, natto, and yamaimo, are very healthy, and the slimy texture is a sign of the foods nutritional value. Okra was introduced to Japan by Americans in the early 1800s.

  • @jazzcookmusic5677
    @jazzcookmusic5677 3 года назад +1

    Always thought Soul, as a music, began as R&B. "Soul Jazz" came later through players like Cannon Adderley and the abundance of organ players like Jimmy Smith and Richard "Groove" Holmes. I would guess that Stax Records was the birthplace of Soul Music. They came around after Motown's found (1959) but Stax wasn't trying as hard for mainstream acceptance. Interesting video though. Could have dug dude getting into boiled peanuts and how Gumbo got it name.

  • @Rcmsd
    @Rcmsd 2 года назад

    NIKKEI FOOD BREAKDOWN WOULD BE AMAZING..THANK YOU

  • @chelles828
    @chelles828 3 года назад +2

    I'm subscribing because if this video. I learned so much about my own culture. It's a shame that there's so much that's not shared with us

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  3 года назад +1

      Thank you for the kind words! And agreed, our history education (here in the States, at least) is in need of some serious expansion. If you're interested in more food history, the whole playlist is here: ruclips.net/video/yn69AYv5qMo/видео.html

  • @PamByer
    @PamByer 4 года назад

    Does anyone know the cooksboolks the regular set’s shelves?

  • @sophykitten2212
    @sophykitten2212 4 года назад

    Well, now I'm definitely making cornbread this week. ❤

    • @leumas75
      @leumas75 4 года назад

      Sophy Kitten Interestingly, I am just about as white as can be, but make cornbread at least once a week, usually twice. My ancestors came from Scotland in the 1880s and settled in Central and West Texas. The central TX faction were (and still are) corn farmers, and we still mill our own cornmeal. It’s an integral part of my upbringing and link to my past. Plus, cornbread is just GOOOOOD!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

      For some reason I always assumed corn bread was complicated to make, and then watching Chef Chris whip it up in no time and have it be insanely delicious inspired me to try to make it on my own! Definitely worth it!

  • @kevinchong5424
    @kevinchong5424 2 года назад

    Learning about history through dishes… Now I’m hungry

  • @williamsledge3151
    @williamsledge3151 4 года назад +4

    Maybe I can now finally find out what Soul Food is.

    • @MrsShocoTaco
      @MrsShocoTaco 4 года назад +3

      "Soul Food" translates specifically to "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!" .

  • @Astrapionte
    @Astrapionte Год назад

    What’s the song at 17:20?

  • @deboralee1623
    @deboralee1623 3 года назад

    ¿Princess Pamela, as in _Princess Pamela's Soul Food Cookbook_? so glad i inherited at least one copy of it.

  • @jeffzucker7363
    @jeffzucker7363 2 года назад

    Could you do a show about the Philly soft pretzel?

  • @kd1s
    @kd1s 2 года назад

    Lets see. Cornbread, biscuits, mac and cheese and yeah even okra. I've tried it didn't like it much until a friend had me try it fried.

  • @corywalker7739
    @corywalker7739 4 года назад +1

    Glory!!

  • @monkey93xf
    @monkey93xf 4 года назад +1

    THis was so good!
    Don't think I don't notice the watch:like disparity. Usually it's about 10% even though it's gone down during Corona (maybe cause people are binge watching on full screen so they don't like stuff?). But 4%? "If that don't tell ya what this race hatin is...nuthin will"

  • @deboralee1623
    @deboralee1623 2 года назад

    something else i'm misremembering: "Get A Load of This" (song title), someone and His Cheap Suit Serenaders (artist), and "...Get a load-a RC Cola...TV dinner..." (lyrics)

  • @fearlessbros3620
    @fearlessbros3620 3 года назад +1

    It’s amazing that something so fantastic came out of something so awful and then became an important part of modern southern culture

  • @cm374787
    @cm374787 4 года назад +1

    OH THAT'S A YAM
    Yeah we just call those sweet potatoes here in Australia, nothing else gets called sweet potato here.

  • @worri3db3ar
    @worri3db3ar 4 года назад +5

    Mmmm callalloo God I want some

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Full disclosure: I've never had callalloo, and now I really want to. Unfortunately I think I'll have to wait a bit until I can go to a restaurant (or a generous friend's house...) to try it the right way.

    • @worri3db3ar
      @worri3db3ar 4 года назад +1

      @@MentalFloss it's really nice but make sure to mention if u can or cannot handle spicy foods as most make it very very spicy.

    • @Mamignonne100
      @Mamignonne100 3 года назад +1

      In regards to callalloo;
      There are different ones in the Caribbean and they are often cooked in different ways also. But it is different than collard greens for sure; especially taste and texture. Very different!
      I actually think that Callalloo is different than collard greens and spinach as well.
      But that’s okay! It’s interesting and fun to know what people from different countries/ethnicities eat!
      Wondering video and thanks for it!
      C’etait formidable!👍🏽

    • @Mamignonne100
      @Mamignonne100 3 года назад +1

      @@MentalFloss
      ( Bonjour, Mental Floss, this comment is slightly long with various ideas and topics, so sorry for that in advance)!
      And sorry if there are errors and incorrect grammar, and jumping from ideas to ideas! But it was in all good ole jolly fun!
      P.S.
      Going to see your Nachos video next!
      In response to your callalloo clip;
      Well,
      If you lived next door, than we would cook it for you! It is fun to swap different foods with people from different ethnicities and different backgrounds.
      Now, since you said that you’ve never had it ( 9 months ago), in my opinion, it has its own distinct taste, so it is difficult to say what it could possibly taste similar to.
      But when I was younger, I preferred callalloo vs spinach by a landslide! But when I got older, I now find it has a sharp taste! Very sharp! Strong taste that can be unpleasant sometimes.
      Or....an unwelcome taste ,if I can describe it that way. But spinach, I love any way! We did not grow up eating collard greens, so perhaps I find that taste extremely unpleasant!
      And the collard greens are very course, reminds me of something too fibrous to even eat! To me, no matter how you cook collard greens, I just don’t like it!
      Yet when I was a wee little lass, I did not appreciate spinach!
      I think some foods you might have to have an acquired taste for, and it’s just apart of my or anyone’s nature to either like or dislike!
      Moreover; you can go to anyone’s house; and they could be from various places from the Caribbean, and can cook the callalloo very different!
      The plant/bush itself can also be different from those islands too, and that too can make you either like it or dislike it!
      What’s also interesting, is that what some people from the Caribbean eat and use, others from the other islands throw out!😉
      Perhaps you should go island hopping in the Caribbean like Kermit the Frog! He was a Caribbean Amphibians, if you know or recall the song!
      But to each their own! We all have different palates that come with acquired tastes!
      Example; some people from some parts of the Caribbean cook callalloo like a souplike consistency, and others from other parts of the Caribbean, in more of a solid state;
      With fish or with shrimps. I guess it can be cooked however you like it.
      But what I don’t think is right, is when it’s Island vs Island stating who cooks the best and one is right and the other is wrong!
      Other examples:
      If you do an episode of: Rice and peas VS Peas and Rice, you’ll know what I mean!😉 ( not rice and beans)! It might be beans in actuality, but, it’s still called peas😂
      Next example to do or think of:
      Is the dish called Curried Chicken or Chicken Curry?🤣
      Tata for now!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  3 года назад +1

      @@Mamignonne100 Ha, I love all the Caribbean context-such a great part of the world for food! Do I take it from your greeting that you're Haitian? If so, would that make English your 3rd language? Either way, definitely no need to apologize for your English grammar, your thoughts were perfectly understandable and DEFINITELY a lot better than mine would be in French or Creole. ;-)

  • @patrickmclean8617
    @patrickmclean8617 4 года назад +2

    You should do an episode on Poutine, though please look up the pronunciation I winced when you mentioned it in the Nacho episode.

  • @snoozeesnail
    @snoozeesnail 2 месяца назад

    Soul food is food that hits the soul with its first bite

  • @zezekz4245
    @zezekz4245 Год назад

    I love eating okra because of the slime. I use it in my asian dishes and gumbo.

  • @Marshaze1
    @Marshaze1 4 года назад +1

    How about a show about the history and current state of "Cincinnati Chili". Where did it come from? Why is it so endearing within that area, but hasn't caught on in the larger context of food in the region?

    • @cappyjones
      @cappyjones 4 года назад

      It hasn't caught on because it is spaghetti and meat sauce, not chili the way everyone other than Cincinnatians understands it. And it's disgusting.

  • @Marco_Onyxheart
    @Marco_Onyxheart 4 года назад +1

    Some of those okra dishes really don't look bad at all.

  • @vanessalee3187
    @vanessalee3187 11 месяцев назад

    Sauce feu !!! And callaloo Haitian cuisine use a lot of it

  • @_GunpowdertheGabite
    @_GunpowdertheGabite 4 года назад +2

    To me, yam is purple centered and sweet potato is the orange centered.
    Maybe that's just me tho

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Whatever works for you! But technically there are purple sweet potatoes AND purple yams. 🍠🍠🍠🍠😬

    • @_GunpowdertheGabite
      @_GunpowdertheGabite 4 года назад

      @@MentalFloss @ _ @

  • @memoriesofechos677
    @memoriesofechos677 3 года назад +2

    Soul food is were its at

  • @turtlepimp1997
    @turtlepimp1997 4 года назад +2

    While not botanically related to other rices its important to note that north America had wild rice long before columbian contact let alone the Atlantic slave trade. Rice was not in fact introduced by African slaves but heavily featured in native food.

    • @boogdoggtx
      @boogdoggtx 4 года назад +4

      I think he specifically speaking about Asian rice which was grown as East as the Nile River 3,000 years ago its mostly what we use today in soul food gumbo or etouffee

    • @johnkimber2509
      @johnkimber2509 Год назад +1

      The brand of rice that enslaved Africans toiled over in America was native to Africa, it is called Carolina Gold.

  • @cptdzastr
    @cptdzastr 4 года назад

    This totally made me think of www.smbc-comics.com/comic/craproot - same idea.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

      Haha! As an avowed craproot lover, I take offense. But some version of that story does seem to play itself out in almost every cuisine.

    • @cptdzastr
      @cptdzastr 4 года назад +1

      @@MentalFloss No harm in tasty, tasty former garbage, as lobster, fajitas and buffalo wings will attest.

  • @empresslonnie1love391
    @empresslonnie1love391 2 года назад

    No lies told about sweet potatoes and yams . Lol lol
    I didn’t know until high school it’s white colored yams

  • @theroology2965
    @theroology2965 3 года назад +1

    Callaloo does slap tho don't fight it

  • @InfiniteLoop
    @InfiniteLoop 2 года назад

    We used to have a wonderful Soul Food place near my home, it was run by two of the sweetest lil old black ladies I loved them.
    The first time I went in there I was the only white person in the room and I got the stink eye until Miss Susan said “ya’ll leave that white boy alone, at least he knows where to get good food ‘stead of that garbage from Mac Donalds.”

  • @devesongs
    @devesongs 3 года назад +4

    To be honest... I was NOT looking forward to watching something about Soul Food by a white man. Thank you for having a chef of colour explain things I never knew about (the chicken issues) etc. Respect.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  3 года назад +5

      Thanks for keeping an open mind! To be honest, our preference would've been to hire a host who can speak with some first-hand experience to the topics we cover, especially for a topic like this, but that's just not feasible for us given the way we work/our budgets (not yet, at least. hopefully soon that will change). We found this to be a very interesting subject to explore, so we were very lucky that Dr. Harris & Chef Chris were willing to lend their expertise and unique pov's. Longterm the plan is to bring more voices into the channel, not necessarily for videos related to issues of identity, but I do think it will have a nice secondary affect of expanding the types of stories we tell and how we tell them. Anyway, thanks for your comment!

  • @Apophis324
    @Apophis324 4 года назад +3

    How about a history of chewing gum? I personally don't eat the stuff, but it's a pretty interesting regardless!

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад

      Ha just when I think we're running out of ideas to add to our list. That would be really interesting. Why does chewing gum even exist?

    • @Apophis324
      @Apophis324 4 года назад +1

      To relax, I think? Or to annoy people? :P As long as people eat you'll never run out of ideas~! ^^

  • @Daviticus042
    @Daviticus042 3 года назад +1

    I love fried chicken.

  • @MentalFloss
    @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

    The history of Nachos: ruclips.net/video/yn69AYv5qMo/видео.html&

  • @PamByer
    @PamByer 4 года назад +2

    How about an episode about dumplings. All around the world.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Oo yes! But are ravioli dumplings?

    • @agmartin4438
      @agmartin4438 2 года назад

      @@MentalFloss yes its part if dumplings. In Russia and many Eastern Europe countries theres PELMENI and A sweet version (i forget the name)

  • @amarimartin6460
    @amarimartin6460 4 года назад +1

    Yall should do tv dinners

  • @chano6555
    @chano6555 2 года назад

    Nordic food! Or extreme food in extreme environments

  • @lynn858
    @lynn858 4 года назад +5

    ...and now I’m feeling rather uncomfortable about a local soul food serving cocktail bar, friends have worked at, owned by a white dude, in which I have never seen or heard tell of a single black staff member. (Has any qualified black person been turned down for a job there? Possibly not, given the odd situation it’s possible none ever applied). Is it intentionally racist? Probably not. Does that make it ok... also probably not.
    Thanks for smacking me upside the head with something I failed to notice for over 3 years.

    • @cappyjones
      @cappyjones 4 года назад +5

      Whenever I go into any ethnic restaurant, I try to have a look back in the kitchen. If the cooks don't match the ethnicity of the food, I'm not eating there.

  • @DJGURR
    @DJGURR 4 года назад +2

    I love gumbo but I hate Okra. I cant stand it. My family is two generations removed from Senegal. I feel bad for hating them lol

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад

      😂😂😂Even fried?

    • @DJGURR
      @DJGURR 4 года назад

      Mental Floss ok fried okra is alright but anything other than in gumbo I can’t handle the slime lol and I’m an adventurous eater