Why do we love smoky flavours so much?

The Food Chain by BBC

Jun 17, 202626:29Religion & Spirituality

The history of smoking foods stretches back many years, but when did what began purely for preservation become a highly sought-after flavour? In this episode of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander explores the origins of smok...

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from The Food Chain.

Is a healthy diet more expensive?

Sep 16, 2026 - 26:29

Is it more expensive to eat healthily? You might think the answer is simple: Yes of course, if you buy fr...

What do chefs eat?

Sep 9, 2026 - 26:29

Ever wondered what the chef is eating? Snacking on the finest produce or surviving on thin air and caffei...

The regulars

Aug 19, 2026 - 26:28

Do you have a local cafe, restaurant or bar that you go to all the time? Maybe the staff recognise you or...

Leaving home

Aug 12, 2026 - 26:28

Moving out of the family home can be a big first step at whatever age you do it. Paying bills, budgeting,...

What can food tell us about the past?

Aug 5, 2026 - 26:29

What can food reveal about the people who came before us? From ancient meals and family recipes to the ch...

Should I cut down on carbs?

Jul 29, 2026 - 26:29

Have you ever asked yourself: should I do Keto? Is white rice good for me? Am I eating too many carbohydr...

When should I eat my evening meal?

Jul 22, 2026 - 26:29

When should you eat your evening meal? Is it really better to eat earlier, or does it depend on when you...

The rise of eating alone

Jul 15, 2026 - 26:27

Listener Melanie wrote into The Food Chain to ask us to make a programme about the rising numbers of peop...