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Ingredipedia
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© 2025 Ben Birchall & Emily Naismith
Description
Want to feast on funny food facts and fables? Or slurp up strange and spicy stories from supermarkets and society? Bite into Australia’s funnest food podcast, Ingredipedia.
Each episode, competitive hosts Emily Naismith (Broadsheet, frankie magazine) and Ben Birchall (3RRR FM’s Breakfasters, Smith Journal) try to serve the most interesting stories about a specific ingredient (say, Tim Tams or chillies) in a bid for your affection. You get to vote for who was the most interesting on Instagram!
It’s fun! It’s lighthearted! It’s largely unhinged! It’s the McDonald’s Happy Meal of the podcast world (but back when you actually got a Cheeseburger and a toy inside).
Join us on social media for more weird and snacky food pursuits
Instagram: @ingredipedia
TikTok: @ingredipedia
Credits
Music: Jarrad Brown of Eagle and the Worm
Artwork design: Jess Ramsey
Photography: Phoebe Powell
212 Episodes
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Is Violet Crumble the most prolific brand in the supermarket? It just may be. This week we investigate how a once-niche Australian chocolate bar quietly took over every supermarket aisle – from ice-cream toppings to muesli bars to protein powder (wtf). We taste-test the elusive peanut-butter Violet Crumble, question its cultural status, and ask the big question: why is it suddenly everywhere?[1.19] Why is it so prolific? [9.00] Icon status? Or not? Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever wondered why asparagus makes your wee smell weird? Or what women were serving at fancy bridge parties in the 1920s? This episode covers both. We revisit the golden age of tinned asparagus (in two forms) and uncover why this diva of the vegetable world demands your respect.[00:52] Vintage dinner party recipe[6:05] The mysteries of asparagus wee[10:13] Why asparagus is a diva[13:56] Cream of asparagus soup Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever wanted to make a Thai style Bunnings sausage? Or pimp your tinned sardines Thai-style? Since winning Masterchef, Nat Thaipun has worked with Jamie Oliver and some of the world’s best restaurants and now she has a (seriously beautiful) cook book Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere. In this interview, Emily and Ben find out the stories behind the dishes in her new cookbook (like the “trifle situation”) and learn more about Nat from how she organises her freezer to what she eats while carb-loading for an ultra-marathon. Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere is out now through Hardie Grant. A regular ingredient-based episode of Ingredipedia will be back next week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you hate frozen veg, you might just need to know the heavy hitters and also how to make the greatest green sauce slash dip slash do-it-all condiment with a bag of frozen <redacted>. We don’t want to give away the secrets without you hearing our elaborate back stories! Where’s the fun in that?! [1.15] Depressing or delicious?[7.55] Best thing to make with frozen veg Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are the new Red Rock Deli x Andy Cooks Chef Series chips worth investing in? How about the new pistachio gelato tub from Connoisseur? We will taste them and let you know. And then, of course… we dip the chips in the ice-cream because we have free will!!! Sweet and salty and unhinged![0:40] Connoisseur Pistachio gelato[2.56] New Red Rock Deli flavour[7.01] CHIPS DIPPED IN PISTACHIO ICE CREAM Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode contains 112% of your recommended daily protein intake. If you’re into obscene retro recipes, there’s a “salad” in here that’ll haunt you for years — but, if you can believe it, there are also some genuinely delicious ones. We get to the bottom of why cottage cheese is suddenly impossible to find (and why it went viral), and discuss the U.S. president who paired it with our favourite flesh-eating fruit.[2.46] Why is cottage cheese trending?[9.05] This salad will haunt you[14.49] Cult chocolate bar[20.57] Which U.S. president loved cottage cheese? Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another SNACK ROAD TEST where we put our mouths on the line by taste testing new snacks and then share our deep thoughts and feelings. Today we're starting in the popcorn aisle, then getting freaky with gummies. Strap in. Got any snacks you want us to try? Drop us a challenge on Instagram or even email ingredipedia@gmail.com Thanks pals! [0:46] Pickle popcorn [4:30] Mango gummies Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is shiitake powder the ultimate MSG hit? What does it have to do with the spice trade and 16th century ketchup? And does it pull as well as pork? We also “invent” the stir-dry. It’s going to catch on, believe us. [1:49] Powdered [9:00] Ketchup [14:11] Pulled [19:05] Stir Dry Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can’t believe it either, but Ingredipedia is 10 years old this month. To celebrate, we reaching back to two of our most cursed (and viral) fails. Liverwust Pineapple that didn’t make it out of the fridge, and Maple Butter that wouldn’t butter. Turns out failure is in our DNA. [3:40] Liverwurst Pineapple[9:44] Maple Butter Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They’re an Australian icon, but what the hell do they have to do with the greatest New Zealand biscuit of all time? Plus, find out which international superstar eats five Gaytimes a day when they visit.[1.20] Golden Gaytime biscuits (and other collabs)[9.18] International stardom Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you missing out on the greatest form of French toast in the world?! How about the simplest sandwich you've absolutely never tried?! We also talk Frasier, cheap toasters and the baffling way the Melbourne Football Club's Christian Petracca eats Vegemite toast. [1.41] The greatest French toast[7.21] Christian Petracca toast[11.19] Toast sweat[17.19] Toast sandwich?!Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re trying a lil something new! NEW SNACK ROAD TEST! We’ll put our mouths on the line by taste testing these new snacks and then share our deep thoughts and feelings. Today we’ve got a cavalcade of Twirl varieties and some disturbingly pink Twisties. Strap in. Do you want us to try more new snacks like this? Or stick to strictly the Civil War and ungodly snack combinations? Tell us what you think on Instagram or even email ingredipedia@gmail.com Thanks pals! [0.52] Zooper Dooper Twisties[3.29] Three Twirl varieties Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WHAT’S THE POINT OF PARSLEY? We start off asking the big questions and end up with parsley stuck in our teeth. There’s an investigation into supermarket garlic bread and Ben fires up about the merits of three different types of parsley.[1.25] What's the point? [6.57] Why it gets stuck in your teeth[12.42] Garlic bread investigation[18.58] Curly vs flatleaf vs driedFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are they delicious crispy spread canvases? Or boring stale cardboard? Either way you slice it, we find out which Australian state government has serious rice cake hate and give you two ways to crisp up stale rice cakes. [1.31] Government ban[7.33] How to revive a stale rice cakeFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From a fast-food sticky date pudding you’ve probably never heard of, to a “healthy” Snickers dupe, and even a butter-filled date that tastes like cookie dough – we’re uncovering the sweetest (and strangest) sides of this exotically-coded fruit. Plus, Ben’s deep dive into a famous breakfast buffet sauce! [1.10] Sticky date pudding[7.59] Mysteries of HP sauce[16.39] Can fruit replace a Snickers?[20.49] Cookie dough hackFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Korea’s Pepero a copycat, a contender or just a chunkier-coated cousin? Plus, we share our all-time favourite limited edition Pocky flavours (heart-shaped sticks! real cheese!) and the truly wild varieties we wish we could try. From pumpkin to chilli crab, fortune-telling to Star Wars collabs, this episode is a stick-shaped biscuit lover’s dream.[1.39] Limited edition faves[8.07] Pocky vs PeperoFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could a humble green fruit really help you sleep better? And more controversially… does it belong on a margherita? This week, we investigate the kiwi fruit: its surprising sleep science and its unexpected cameo on pizza. We also explore the fruit’s fuzzy history: where it came from and why it’s called “kiwi” (spoiler: it’s not originally from New Zealand). Also, hot sauce (obviously). [1.13] Oh no, not pizza![6.54] A different kind of salsa verde[14.02] Can kiwi fruit help insomnia?[17.47] Why is it called 'kiwi'?Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We crack open Australia’s most questionably marketed soft drink and slam it down. Ben investigates the myth of the original ‘Solo Man’ and the sweaty, hyper-masculine world he paddled in from. Meanwhile, Em attempts a taste test to see if she can tell the difference between regular Solo and its boozy rebrand, Hard Rated. Is it still the “thirst crusher”? Or just a Cruiser in disguise?[0.57] The hardest soft drink[6.08] Solo Man Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hard shell tacos: iconic or imposter? Em investigates the surprisingly complicated history of crunchy tacos. Meanwhile, Ben makes a tortilla filled with Doritos and gummy bears (yes, really) and shares his deep love for his favourite kitchen gadget which tbh, is pretty impressive. Also, we explain how tortillas have saved lives (well, at least one).[0.53] How hard shell tacos happened[9.46] Ben's favourite gadget[16.10] Tortillas save lives[18.53] Space breadFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re diving deep into the murky chocolate waters of Freddo Frog history — from lost flavours of the ’90s to chocolate frog-inspired emotional trauma. Em brings back a colourful, much-loved Freddo (kind of), while Ben shares why he used to be called “Freddo Frog” at school and a wild story that links biosecurity and cane toads to the humble Freddo. We mentioned Eamon Donnelly's incredible book The Milk Bars Book Volume II: A Sweet History in the episode. It is highly recommended as a must-read! [1.46] Lost Freddo flavours of the ’90s[8.57] Bbiosecurity tales (and personal trauma)Follow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The killing of kangaroos is brutal and often leaves behind orphaned joeys, not yet able to fend for themselves.
For Americans out there, they're talking about bell peppers.