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.
When introducing basil in the documentary, the production team filmed at a mother-daughter-run pho shop in Vietnam. Liu explains that the team visited more than 100 pho shops before selecting the one that was ultimately featured. "Our core focus is to tell people's stories, not just picking a trendy spot," he says.
Liu also recalls a memorable filming experience at a barbecue restaurant in Texas in the United States. "I could see the barbecue owner's spirit — focus, passion for food, warmth toward the people around him, and a love for life," he says.
One challenge for Liu and his team was conveying the spices' scents to viewers. "Spices are all about smell but how do we 'translate' that? Unlike ingredients like meat or grains, whose appeal is more visual, an aroma is intangible," Liu says.
