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Geography of taste

Krishnandu Ray in white shirt looking at camera, colorful, painted background
courtesy of K. Ray
/
courtesy of K. Ray
Geographer Krishnandu Ray visited Indiana University in 2024.

“There is a beautiful Hindustani saying, ‘Kosa kosa per pani badle, chare kosa per vani,’ which means "Every two miles the water changes, and every four the language." So that, in fact, is the geography of taste and terroir in India.”

This week on the show, we talk with sociologist Krishnendu Ray about place and food and caste in India and how identity can be defined as much by what you DON'T eat, as by what you DO eat.

And we share a recipe for a home grown hot sauce that cannot be prepared indoors.

Kayte Young is co-host and producer of WFIU's local arts and culture show, Nice Work. Before that she produced and hosted the long-running food and farming show, Earth Eats for over 8 years, and hosted a YouTube cooking series, produced by Payton Whaley.