Today, we're exploring everything chocolate which wasn't something that ever started out with an intention to be used in sweet concoctions!

In this episode:

• Where chocolate originated and what it looked like
• How chocolate made its way to Europe
• Cacao vs cocoa vs chocolate
• Where cacao grows, harvesting, and the supply chain situation
• How chocolate is made
• The different types of chocolate out there
• Why people crave chocolate
• Health benefits vs risks
• How to temper chocolate at home

Connect with Noha

• Topic requests: itsneverjustfood@gmail.com
• Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• Follow Noha on: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
• Learn more about working with Noha ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

References mentioned in the episode:

• History.com. History of Chocolate
• NOAA Climate.gov. Climate and Chocolate
• International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). Fine or Flavour Cocoa
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. How Is Chocolate Made?
• FDA. Standard of Identity for White Chocolate
• Barry Callebaut. Ruby chocolate launch/overview
• Hormes, J.M. (2017). Does culture create craving? Evidence from the case of menstrual chocolate craving. PLOS ONE.
• Arisi, T.O.P. et al. (2024). Effects of Cocoa Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers.
• Valrhona (L’École Valrhona). Tempering chocolate

If you think sushi started in the same format you know and love today, you’re not alone but, its origins are totally different. Tune in to learn more!

In this episode:

• Sushi’s origin story
• What counts as sushi
• The main types of sushi:
• Kimbap is not “Korean sushi”
• How sushi became popular outside Japan
• What it takes to be a sushi chef and what omakase means
• The health side: benefits & risks
• Making sushi at home safely, what tools you need, and what imitation crab actually is

Connect with Noha

• Topic requests: itsneverjustfood@gmail.com
• Follow the podcast on Instagram
• Follow Noha on: Instagram and TikTok
• Learn more about working with Noha here

References mentioned in the episode:

• PBS. The History of Sushi
• Michelin Guide. A Brief History of Sushi in America
• Japan Experience. The job of sushi chef in Japan
• Michelin Guide. What is omakase?
• Healthline. Imitation Crab: Is It Real Crab and Should You Eat It?

Dumplings are everywhere, and people love arguing about what counts, what doesn’t, and what the “best” dumpling is.

So, today we’re covering these delicious bites, but with one rule: this is not a competition and there will be no winner, because I have never met a dumpling I didn’t enjoy.

In this episode, we’re taking a historical and cultural trip around the dumpling world. We’re covering what counts as a dumpling, how so many cultures have their own versions, wrapper and filling differences, cooking methods, dipping sauce options, a quick health check, and a few meal-prep friendly dumplings that are worth freezing.

In this episode:

• What counts as a dumpling
• How dumplings exist everywhere
• A world tour of dumplings
• Wrappers vs fillings vs cooking methods
• Dipping sauces
• Are dumplings healthy?
  

Connect with Noha:

• If you have a topic you want covered next, send an email to ⁠itsneverjustfood@gmail.com⁠
• Follow the It’s Never JUST Food podcast on Instagram
• Follow Noha on Instagram and TikTok
• Learn more about working with Noha here

References mentioned in the episode:

• Britannica Dictionary. “Dumpling” definition
• Monash University. About FODMAPs and IBS (what FODMAPs are and why they can trigger IBS symptoms).