Feel the Beet: The Most Fascinating Woman You've Never Heard Of

This episode explores the botanical and economic differences between table beets and sugar beets. The hosts discuss the research efforts of beet breeder Irwin Goldman and the origins of modern beets from the wild sea beet.

This segment explores the historical cultivation of the sea beet, tracing its evolution from a leafy green crop in ancient civilizations to the modern root vegetable. It also details the botanical development of the beet's unique ringed structure and its eventual role in iconic dishes like borscht.

This segment explores the historical development of the sugar beet as a domestic European sugar source, driven by geopolitical conflicts like the Haitian Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It also introduces Lydia Maria Child, a prominent 19th-century abolitionist and social reformer who authored the famous poem 'Over the River and Through the Wood'.

This segment explores the life and career of Lydia Maria Child, a pioneering 19th-century author known for her controversial novels, popular periodicals, and influential self-help books. It also details her transition into a fervent abolitionist, influenced by her husband, David Lee Child, and their shared commitment to social reform.

This segment explores the life and work of Maria Child, a 19th-century author who became a radical abolitionist after meeting William Lloyd Garrison. Her influential book, An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, challenged Northern complicity in slavery and ultimately cost her both her social standing and her career.

Maria and David Lee Child attempted to undermine the slave-grown cane sugar industry by establishing one of the first sugar beet farms in America. Despite their eventual bankruptcy, the project reflected their deep commitment to the abolitionist movement and Maria's ongoing influence as a writer and activist.

This segment explores the historical unpopularity of beets, their recent resurgence, and the scientific phenomenon of beeturia. It also touches upon the historical shift in food coloring regulations following the ban of Red Dye No. 2.

This segment explores the agricultural development of high-pigment beets for food coloring and the cultural rise of beet-based salads in the 1990s. It also examines the scientific reasons behind the polarizing earthy flavor of beets, specifically focusing on the molecule geosmin and the presence of oxalates.

Irwin Goldman discusses his 16-year project to breed a new variety of beet, the Badger Flame, designed to be low in geosmin and oxalates. The resulting vegetable is sweet and lacks the traditional earthy flavor, sparking a debate about whether it remains a true beet or serves as a gateway for new consumers.