Ep 1. The Seed of a City

In the first episode of A Taste of History season 11, titled "The Seed of a City," host Walter Staib takes viewers on a journey to explore the beginnings of one of America's most iconic cities: Philadelphia.

Staib begins by traveling back in time to the late 1600s, when Philadelphia was nothing more than a sprawling wilderness inhabited by Native American tribes. He dives into the history of the Lenape people, who were the first to call the area home, and their complex relationship with European colonizers who began to encroach on their land.

From there, Staib moves forward in time to the founding of Philadelphia by William Penn in 1682. He explores the city's early days, including its layout, architecture, and infrastructure, and delves into the various groups of immigrants who began to settle in Philadelphia in the years that followed.

Throughout the episode, Staib also highlights the significant role that food played in shaping early Philadelphia. He visits historic sites and landmarks, such as the Betsy Ross House and Christ Church, and discusses the foodways of the time, including traditional Lenape cuisine and the early dishes of colonial settlers.

Staib also explores the important role that brewing played in Philadelphia's early history, visiting local breweries and discussing the creation of iconic beers like Yuengling and Schmidt's. He even gets a chance to make his own beer, learning about the brewing process and sampling some of the unique flavors that are still popular in Philly today.

Throughout "The Seed of a City," Staib weaves together historical anecdotes, personal reflections, and practical food-related advice to create a compelling and educational look at the early days of Philadelphia. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a newfound appreciation for the city's rich history and the diverse cultures that helped shape it.