About this episode
Current Time.What Is Foodie Disorder?I've already shared with veterans here that I have a foodie disorder. Here's a brief reminder for those reading mysteries for the first time and wondering what a foodie disorder is.Foodie disorder is the irresistible drive to learn about food and experience it as more than just fuel for our body but as an art, a science, and a delicious journey. Those with this condition cook, dine, and daydream about meals with passion and purpose. They explore ingredients and the history of the produce we eat. For me, it manifests as an irresistible curiosity to read about what I eat, where it grows, and its journey from the growers to my plate. Along with an insatiable need to cook, a love for eating out, an obsession with taking pictures of everything I eat and posting it on Instagram stories, and endless curiosity to explore new flavors from different cultures and cuisines.This curiosity about food also includes learning about its market and its history before everything became available year-round in supermarkets. Discover cultures that preserve specific dishes for generations and how or why these dishes helped their communities survive. Exploring a culture’s signature dishes is a journey through memory lane, which can also be an emotional experience but definitely a delicious one.What is your favorite vegetable? Mine is tomato. All types and kinds of tomatoes in all colors. My love for tomatoes is deeper than just being my favorite vegetable, which is technically a fruit because it contains seeds. If I were produce in the plant world, I’d want to marry a tomato or live alongside a tomato until a human made a salad out of it.Tomatoes are rich in vitamins C and K, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene, which support heart health, improve skin, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. They’re low in calories and high in hydration, making them great for overall health. Eating tomatoes boosts immunity and promotes healthy aging.Tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable in the U.S., after potatoes, with the average American eating 19 pounds of fresh tomatoes annually. Their role in American cuisine is vital, featuring prominently in pizza, pasta, and the most popular sauce, ketchup. Whether fresh, processed, or cooked, tomatoes are more than just food. They are a cultural and economic cornerstone, connecting farms to people’s tables.California and Florida lead the production of tomatoes in the U.S., and tomatoes are one of the most consumed vegetables and a staple crop. The total economic value of the U.S. tomato market, including domestic production, imports, and processed goods, was estimated to be approximately $4.6 to $5.6 billion in 2022.Did you know that tomatoes are the second most-consumed vegetable in the U.S., or is this your first time learning it? What do you know about y
