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    Back to Good Food

    Good Food

    Disappearing saffron, edible gardens, and regional Chinese food

    Kashmiri saffron is the most precious spice in the world, and it’s on the verge of extinction. Sharanya Deepak explains why that matters.

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    By Evan Kleiman • Mar 22, 2019 • 56m Listen

    Kashmiri saffron is the most precious spice in the world, and it’s on the verge of extinction. Sharanya Deepak explains why that matters. Also, two gardening experts offer tips on planting an edible garden at home, and we examine the foods of Yunnan and Chaoshan. Plus, the four life stages of a polarizing herb.

    In this episode

    6 stories
    1. 0:00

      Gardens can grow anywhere—even on your balcony

      As urban gardening gains popularity, Lauri Kranz of Edible Gardens LA  is helping novices and veterans bring edible beauty to their backyards and balconies. “ A Garden Can Be Anywhere ” is a new book by Kranz and her husband, Dean Kuipers.

      Read the story
      9 min
    2. 9:10

      A precious spice faces an uncertain future

      Kashmir, a conflict-ridden region on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, is home to the most coveted and expensive spice: Kashmiri saffron.

      Read the story
      10 min
    3. 19:39

      Market Report: The Four Stages of Cilantro

      Cilantro has four life stages, and Kacie Chef of Honey Hi  in Echo Park is showcasing all of them in their signature massaman curry. Luis Jaime of JF Organic Farms  grows the herb year-round, but says it’s been gaining popularity recently.

      Read the story
      8 min
    4. 27:50

      “Cooking South of the Clouds”

      During a break from her college studies in China, writer Georgia Freedma n visited the capital of the Yunnan province, where she encountered flavors she had never tasted before.

      Read the story
      10 min
    5. 37:58

      The food of the Teochew diaspora

      Regional Chinese food is flourishing in LA, and now Teochew (or Chiu Chow) food is getting some long overdue attention . Writer Diana Zheng  traces her family origins to this region in the eastern part of the Guangdong province.

      Read the story
      13 min
    6. 50:32

      Patricia Escárcega samples sambal at DTLA’s Kasih

      Kasih is a modern Indonesian restaurant in Little Tokyo, helmed by chef Zachary Hamel.

      Read the story
      6 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan Kleiman

      host 'Good Food'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Nick Liao

      Managing Producer, Good Food

    • KCRW placeholder

      Joseph Stone

      Producer, Good Food

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Laryl Garcia

      Senior Director, Good Food

      CultureFood & Drink

    In this episode

    6 stories
    1. 0:009 min

      Gardens can grow anywhere—even on your balcony

    2. 9:1010 min

      A precious spice faces an uncertain future

    3. 19:398 min

      Market Report: The Four Stages of Cilantro

    4. 27:5010 min

      “Cooking South of the Clouds”

    5. 37:5813 min

      The food of the Teochew diaspora

    6. 50:326 min

      Patricia Escárcega samples sambal at DTLA’s Kasih

    Back to Good Food