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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
204 Episodes
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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.
Em makes a shocking confession: a huuuuge portion of the red meat she eats is kangaroo and she feels weird about it. We unpack why eating Australia’s most iconic animal still feels taboo, even though it's iron-rich, sustainable, and weirdly delicious in tacos. Also in this episode:- Why there’s no McRoo on the Macca’s menu- A completely subjective ranking of supermarket kangaroo options- Ben’s homemade kangaroo jerky adventures- And some light food therapy, obviouslyRecipes mentioned include:- Chef Dennis bolognese- RecipeTin Eats bolognese- Kangaroo jerky [1.10] Em’s surprising kangaroo admission[8.12] Why isn’t there a McRoo? [13.36] Supermarket roo rankings[19.40] DIY kangaroo jerkyFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does the Mars Bar deserve it's status as one of the elite chocolate bars? Or have major developments in the Moro landscape have it quaking in its boots? Also, just what the f**k is a Mars Bar in other countries? Because it's not the one we're used to. [1.08] Is Moro finally coming for the Mars Bar?[6.10] Uncanny Mars Bar tweaks around the worldFollow us on Instagram (@ingredipedia) and TikTok (@ingredipedia) to see visuals of our weird and snacky food pursuits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plus, can matcha give you a jitter-free caffeine boost (unlike coffee)? And we explore whether “ceremonial grade” is a con. And yes, we look into what’s next in the iced strawberry matcha latte world and also think about whether matcha can make ANYTHING better![1.07] Is the strawberry matcha trend over?[7.30] Can matcha make everything better?[11.43] Matcha vs coffee jitters[16.15] Is 'ceremonial grade' matcha a con?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.
How do you drink your Milo? Everyone has their own personal rituals which we’ll explore, but we’ll also cover the incredible ways it’s enjoyed in Malaysia. And of course, we get a little ranty about all the wild Milo products on supermarket shelves. Crack the tin and inhale it with us! [1.28] Why is Milo big in Malaysia? [7.46] Has Milo gone too far? 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.
Plus, we find the king of all chips – the one everyone else looks up to! And find a cool way to cook and eat seaweed you may not have come across. [1.09] How the f*ck do you open an onigiri?[5.50] Seaweed knots?[10.47] Uncovering the bento box seaweed secret[15.25] The king of all chips 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.
Plus a hack that will exponentially improve the Oreo eating experience. Twist it, lick it, dunk it… it’s our Oreo episode! [0:53] '90s TV ad and Oreo hack[5:19] Double Stuff exposé 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.
Also, not one… but two TRULY delicious ways to cook broccoli! Like, we are not even joking. Who knew the broccoli episode would be so god damn yum? [1.05] The real reason kids hate broccoli[6.23] Stems: love or hate? [10.11] The best chips ever[13.08] Broccoli McFlurry 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.
You’ll never guess what we made jerky out of. NEVER! Also in this episode Ben goes a little wild seasoning-wise in his mobile test kitchen (aka car). FYI this episode is best listened to in a truck.[1.31] You made WHAT into jerky?[6.40] Wild and weird flavoursFollow 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.