Series shares real spices of life
Once Upon a Bite's new season traces evolution of little seeds and plants that enhance global cuisine, Li Yingxue discovers.
Pepper, cumin, fennel ... these are "small heroes". The first episode focuses on the story of seed-based spices. It includes the history of black pepper, one of the earliest global spices, and how it journeyed from South Asia to reach every corner of the world, ultimately dominating dining tables worldwide.
Guo An, director of this episode, recalls that before working on this theme, he thought of spices as merely a cooking additive. However, through research and preparation during the filming process, he gradually learned that small spices not only enhance but also play a role in balancing and controlling flavors.
"The most profound takeaway from filming spices was the sense of depth in flavors. When I saw the beautifully presented dishes on the monitor during the shoot, I realized my sense of smell was deeply engaged. Suddenly, I could associate these beautiful images with a sensory memory of scent," he says.
