Eating History

Watch Eating History

  • 2020
  • 1 Season
  • 7.6  (123)

Eating History, a new show from History that premiered in 2020, is a fascinating and entertaining look at the intersection of food and history. The show features hosts Josh Macuga and Gary Mitchell as they explore various culinary artifacts and sample them, often with the help of food historian Ken Albala. The premise of the show is simple but compelling: Macuga and Mitchell seek out rare and interesting food items from various periods of history, and then taste them on camera. They delve into the history of each food, discussing its origin, cultural significance, and sometimes even its use as currency. Throughout the show, Albala acts as a guide, lending his expertise to the hosts and providing additional historical context. One thing that sets Eating History apart from other food shows is its focus on items that most people might consider to be barely edible or downright disgusting. For example, in one episode, the hosts taste a 50-year-old canned chicken that was made for soldiers during the Vietnam War. In another, they sample a centuries-old recipe for vinegar-based pickled eggs, which were once a staple of sailors' diets. These dishes might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Macuga and Mitchell are willing to try just about anything in the name of historical curiosity. The show also has a fun, lighthearted tone that makes it enjoyable to watch. Macuga and Mitchell have great chemistry and play off each other well, cracking jokes and expressing their reactions to the food in a way that makes it clear they are enjoying themselves. There's also a sense of adventure to the show, as the hosts travel to different locations to uncover these culinary treasures. Whether they're sifting through old storage units or buying items off eBay, there's always a sense of excitement as they get closer to their goal. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Eating History is the way it uses food to explore broader historical themes. Over the course of the show, viewers are treated to discussions of everything from the role of food in war and politics to the changing tastes of consumers over time. Albala, in particular, is a wealth of knowledge on these topics, and he does an excellent job of connecting the dots between seemingly disparate food items and historical events. Of course, not all of the food on the show is unpleasant or weird. In some episodes, the hosts sample more conventional dishes, like old-fashioned soda or vintage candy. These moments provide a nice contrast to the more extreme items and serve as a reminder that the history of food is just as much about the everyday as it is about the exotic. All of these elements come together to create a highly entertaining and educational show that is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in food or history. Whether you're a foodie or a history buff (or both), you're bound to find something to enjoy in Eating History. With its likable hosts, fascinating subject matter, and compelling storytelling, it's a show that is not to be missed.

Eating History
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Seasons
Flavor Explosion
10. Flavor Explosion
May 6, 2020
Old Smokey and Josh try one of the most notorious military rations ever made. Then, they taste an out of this world powdered candy from the 70's. And, the guys visit a beer club where they find a brew that changes colors.
Leave it to Beaver Tail
9. Leave it to Beaver Tail
April 29, 2020
Josh and Smokey sample three generations of America's favorite sandwich cookies to see how they've changed over the years. Then the boys open a box of over 30-year-old bat cereal from the Dark Knight. And they try a meal of river rodent, just like Lewis and Clark would've had during their quest.
The Candy Man
8. The Candy Man
April 22, 2020
Performing a "slap test" to drinking water rations from 1953; A classic Italian canned food with a long shelf life; Trying out a 63-year-old bottle from an Irish bar.
A Space Odyssey
7. A Space Odyssey
April 15, 2020
Old Smokey and Josh travel to the final frontier for some spacey spuds. Then, they cook up some revolutionary rice and visit an estate sale to find forgotten goodies.
From a Galaxy Far, Far Away
6. From a Galaxy Far, Far Away
April 8, 2020
Josh and Old Smokey put a classic Korean War-era chocolate taffy legend to the test. Then, the guys taste what dinner was like on the northern frontier with a moose sized portion of nose jelly. And later, they get a chance to open up a classic cereal from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Once You Pop
5. Once You Pop
April 8, 2020
The boys crack open a 40-year-old can of iconic "chips". Then, they head to Michigan to meet a couple with a huge collection of memorabilia from one of America's biggest and most nostalgic brands. To wash it all down, they sip a soda that was one of the most famous flops of all time.
Apocalypse Chow
4. Apocalypse Chow
April 1, 2020
Josh and Old Smokey bake a box of chocolate chip cookie mix that is 40 years old.
Expiration Unknown
3. Expiration Unknown
April 1, 2020
Josh and Old Smokey go on an abandoned mining town to dig for forgotten food.
Breakfast of Champions
2. Breakfast of Champions
March 25, 2020
Featuring the oldest cereal eaten; a ration from the Vietnam-era; and a 40-year-old hot sauce.
Brush with History
1. Brush with History
March 25, 2020
Featuring old corn chips from decades ago; a hardtack from the Civil War; and more.
Description

Eating History, a new show from History that premiered in 2020, is a fascinating and entertaining look at the intersection of food and history. The show features hosts Josh Macuga and Gary Mitchell as they explore various culinary artifacts and sample them, often with the help of food historian Ken Albala.

The premise of the show is simple but compelling: Macuga and Mitchell seek out rare and interesting food items from various periods of history, and then taste them on camera. They delve into the history of each food, discussing its origin, cultural significance, and sometimes even its use as currency. Throughout the show, Albala acts as a guide, lending his expertise to the hosts and providing additional historical context.

One thing that sets Eating History apart from other food shows is its focus on items that most people might consider to be barely edible or downright disgusting. For example, in one episode, the hosts taste a 50-year-old canned chicken that was made for soldiers during the Vietnam War. In another, they sample a centuries-old recipe for vinegar-based pickled eggs, which were once a staple of sailors' diets. These dishes might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Macuga and Mitchell are willing to try just about anything in the name of historical curiosity.

The show also has a fun, lighthearted tone that makes it enjoyable to watch. Macuga and Mitchell have great chemistry and play off each other well, cracking jokes and expressing their reactions to the food in a way that makes it clear they are enjoying themselves. There's also a sense of adventure to the show, as the hosts travel to different locations to uncover these culinary treasures. Whether they're sifting through old storage units or buying items off eBay, there's always a sense of excitement as they get closer to their goal.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Eating History is the way it uses food to explore broader historical themes. Over the course of the show, viewers are treated to discussions of everything from the role of food in war and politics to the changing tastes of consumers over time. Albala, in particular, is a wealth of knowledge on these topics, and he does an excellent job of connecting the dots between seemingly disparate food items and historical events.

Of course, not all of the food on the show is unpleasant or weird. In some episodes, the hosts sample more conventional dishes, like old-fashioned soda or vintage candy. These moments provide a nice contrast to the more extreme items and serve as a reminder that the history of food is just as much about the everyday as it is about the exotic.

All of these elements come together to create a highly entertaining and educational show that is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in food or history. Whether you're a foodie or a history buff (or both), you're bound to find something to enjoy in Eating History. With its likable hosts, fascinating subject matter, and compelling storytelling, it's a show that is not to be missed.

Eating History is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on March 25, 2020.

Where to Watch Eating History

Eating History is available for streaming on the History website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Eating History on demand at Google Play and Apple TV.

  • Premiere Date
    March 25, 2020
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (123)