Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Season 12 Episode 2 Tribal Tastes
- TV-PG
- March 10, 2014
- 42 min
In season 12 episode 2 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, titled Tribal Tastes, host Andrew Zimmern goes on a culinary adventure to explore the unique and exotic foods of tribal communities in various locations across the globe.
In the opening scene, Andrew is shown exploring a lush and remote forest area in the southeastern region of Mexico in search of a rare and unusual fruit. He meets with a local tribe who lead him to a tree bearing the fruit, which Andrew describes as resembling a lychee, but with a soft and juicy texture and a surprisingly sour taste. He tastes the fruit and marvels at its flavor, remarking on its tartness and comparing it to a sour candy.
Next, Andrew travels to the northern region of Thailand to meet with the Akha tribe, known for their unique culinary customs and the use of insect-based ingredients in their traditional dishes. He is welcomed warmly by the tribe, who invite him to take part in traditional ceremonies and share their meals with him. He is shown trying various dishes made from insects, such as crickets, beetles, and silkworms. Andrew describes the flavors as earthy and nutty, and he is impressed by the creativity and resourcefulness of the tribe in their use of insects as a sustainable food source.
In the next segment, Andrew travels to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea to meet with the Asaro Mudmen tribe. This tribe is known for their unique ritual dances and face paint, which involves covering their faces with mud and reed stalks to create a frightening, otherworldly appearance. Andrew is shown taking part in the dances and experiencing the culture of the tribe firsthand. The tribe prepares a feast for Andrew, consisting of traditional dishes such as yams, taro roots, and wild pig cooked in bamboo tubes. Andrew is impressed by the rich and flavorful dishes, which use a variety of herbs, spices, and vegetables to create complex and satisfying flavors.
In the final segment of the episode, Andrew travels to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil to meet with the Yawalapiti tribe, one of the last remaining indigenous communities in the region. The tribe lives in a remote village and relies on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their food. Andrew is impressed by the natural beauty and lush surroundings of the village as he meets with tribe members and experiences their way of life. He is shown trying a variety of traditional dishes, including fish cooked over an open flame and a fermented corn dish known as beiju. Andrew is struck by the simplicity and freshness of the food, which relies on the abundance of natural resources found in the surrounding rainforest.
Overall, episode 2 of season 12 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Tribal Tastes, provides a fascinating and informative look at the unique culinary traditions of tribal communities across the globe. Andrew's adventures and experiences showcase the importance of preserving these traditional foods and cultures, while also highlighting the innovative and creative approaches these tribes take to sustainably source and prepare their meals.