Ep 16. Wedding Chows

In season 3 episode 16 of Food: Fact or Fiction?, titled "Wedding Chows," viewers are transported to the world of wedding feasts. From the history of wedding cakes to the tradition of serving "something blue" at the reception, this episode explores the various food customs associated with getting hitched.

Throughout the episode, host Michael McKean delves into the origins of common wedding menu items. For example, he examines the history of fruitcake, which was once a popular wedding dessert. In fact, in medieval England, a wedding cake was actually a stack of sweet buns, and guests would pile them up as high as possible. Later, fruitcake emerged as a more luxurious alternative, filled with expensive dried fruits and nuts.

Another popular wedding dish that is explored in this episode is Jell-O. Although it might seem like a strange choice for a wedding, Jell-O was actually once a status symbol. In the early 20th century, it was considered elegant and sophisticated, and was often served at formal events like weddings.

Of course, no wedding feast would be complete without a toast. In "Wedding Chows," viewers learn about the origins of clinking glasses together, which is said to have originated in ancient Rome. According to legend, the sound of clinking glasses scared away evil spirits who might be lurking at the feast.

Throughout the episode, Michael McKean also dispels various food myths related to weddings. For example, he addresses the idea that eating spinach will make you stronger. This myth originated from a typo in a 19th century German study, which mistakenly claimed that spinach contained 10 times more iron than it actually does. This led to the creation of the character Popeye, who famously ate spinach to gain strength.

In addition, the episode explores various regional wedding food traditions. For example, viewers learn about the Pennsylvania Dutch custom of serving "seven sweets and seven sours" at weddings. This consists of a spread of seven sweet dishes (like pies and cobblers) and seven sour dishes (like pickles and sauerkraut). The tradition is meant to signify the ups and downs of marriage, and the importance of balancing the good with the bad.

Overall, "Wedding Chows" offers a fascinating look into the world of wedding food traditions. From the history of fruitcake to the legend of clinking glasses, viewers will come away with a new appreciation for the various customs associated with getting married.