Serving Up Science

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The series all about food: where it comes from and how it impacts our health and our planet. History buff, foodie and science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum serves up a side of science and history, explores the reasons behind the recipe, and offers some tasty tips on your favorite foods. WKAR host Karel…

WKAR Public Media


    • Dec 11, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 20 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Serving Up Science

    The Dangers Of Stress Eating And How To Fight The Urge | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 6:00


    Whenever you’re stressed at work or school, do you ever catch yourself reaching for a bag of chips or candy? Or are you ever so lost in your work that you don’t realize you’re snacking? On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR’s Karel Vega discuss stress eating with student reporter Amanda Barberena.

    The Legend of the Jack-o'-Lantern | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2019 5:30


    Candy, scary movies and costumes all signify that Halloween is approaching, but one important characteristic is missing: jack-o’-lanterns. On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR’s Karel Vega discuss the dawn of the jack-o’-lantern with the help of student reporter Amanda Barberena.

    The Poison Squad: Defenders of Food Safety | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2019 5:00


    When you go to the store and pick up a gallon of milk, you're probably not worried about it being filled with formaldehyde, thanks to the FDA. However, it took some brave men to risk their health to bring food safety issues to light. On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR’s Karel Vega talk about the heroic act of the Poison Squad.

    What Happens When The Media Beefs With The Food Industry? | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2019 7:55


    A few words were spoken and suddenly food prices plummeted. On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega talk about the three most famous food libel cases of all time.

    Food Production Uses More Energy Than You May Think | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2019 6:00


    Energy is inherently related to every significant challenge of the 21st century: water scarcity, inequality, national security and agriculture. On this episode of Serving Up Science, Sheril Kirshenbaum speaks with Dr. Michael Webber, the Chief Science and Technology Officer at the global energy and infrastructure services company ENGIE.

    The Future Of Water Security | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2019 6:00


    Water is critically important to agriculture as well as many aspects of our lives. On this week's segment Sheril and Karel speak with Dr. Jay Famiglietti, director of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada about the future of water.

    The Science Behind Brain Freeze (And How You Might Stop It) | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2019 4:25


    In the summertime, there’s really no better way to cool off than with a nice big ice cream cone. Imagine a time when you’ve taken a bite out of your cone when suddenly, you feel a strange sensation in your head. The sensation commonly known as brain freeze.

    Organic? Free-Range? Cage-Free? When It Comes To Eggs, Which Should You Buy? | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2019 6:00


    When it’s time to pick up eggs at the supermarket, making a choice can be overwhelming. Should you be buying cage-free or free range? Organic or conventional? What is the difference between all of the terms you see on the carton?

    The Trick To A Great Steak? Let The Meat Rest | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2019 4:52


    Every chef has their own technique when it comes to cooking, roasting, broiling or grilling for the best flavor, but most agree on one important step – meat should rest after cooking and before slicing.

    WKAR's Serving Up Science Closes 2019 MSU Science Festival

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2019 50:12


    WKAR's podcast "Serving Up Science" taught dozens of people about the science behind taste. It was the final signature event of Michigan State University's seventh annual Science Festival.

    Next Stop, The MSU Science Festival | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2019 3:00


    Are you a supertaster? You can find out at Serving Up Science's live show this weekend. Sheril and Karel will be at the Kellogg Center on Saturday, April 20 as the last show during the Michigan State University Science Festival this year.

    Umami: The Most Complex Taste | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2019 5:30


    Most people know the four main senses of taste: sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. But there’s also a fifth sense, which is more complex. Umami.

    The New York Milk Scandal That Killed Thousands | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2019 6:00


    On this week's episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega discuss the repercussions of swill milk during the 1850's.

    Red Meat, Us, And The Environment | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 6:00


    On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega discuss the impact of eating red meat on the human diet and the environment, in relation to the EAT-Lancet Commission report.

    The Importance Of Reputable Sources | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2019 5:30


    Finding information online is easy, but finding the correct information is a bit harder. On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega talk about reputable sources, especially in regards to the recent E. Coli outbreak in romaine lettuce.

    The GMO Debate With Scott Hamilton Kennedy | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2019 6:00


    Are GMOs safe? What is the deal with organic food? On this week's episode of Serving Up Science, Science Writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega interview Academy Award-Nominated Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy about his documentary Food Evolution .

    New Year, New You? Why Many Experts Are Recommending The Mediterranean Diet in 2019

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 5:00


    Trying to eat healthy this year, but not sure where to start? On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR’s Karel Vega take a look at the Mediterranean diet.

    Are Meal Kits Right For You? | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2018 6:00


    On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega discuss how useful and environmentally friendly meal kits are.

    Turkey And Thanksgiving, The Inseparable Duo | Serving Up Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2018 6:00


    A turkey trot isn't just a run for families. On this episode of Serving Up Science, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum and WKAR's Karel Vega discuss the history of turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner.

    Current State for Nov. 17-18, 2018

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2018 48:41


    On this edition of Current State - A Serving Up Science takeover: The MSU Fall 2018 Food Literacy and Engagement Poll shows what Americans understand and are concerned about regarding their food; Low carb diets seem like a good idea on the surface, but all nutrients are necessary in moderation; You may soon be faced with another decision when buying meat at the grocery store: farm-raised vs laboratory-grown.

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