Ep 24. In the Hot House

In the Hot House is the twenty-fourth episode of the fourth season of Food Factory, a show that takes an in-depth look at the food production process. This episode focuses on how some of the most popular foods are made in a greenhouse or hothouse environment. The episode starts out by highlighting a greenhouse in Holland that specializes in the production of tomatoes. The host takes the audience on an informative tour of the greenhouse and explains how the temperature and humidity are controlled to optimize tomato growth. They also explain how bees are used to pollinate the tomato flowers and how a screen is used to control the amount of sunlight that enters the greenhouse.

Next, the show shifts its attention to a greenhouse in California that specializes in the production of cucumbers. The host explains how cucumbers are grown vertically to maximize space and increase production efficiency. They also explain how bees are used to pollinate the cucumber flowers and how workers prune the plants to ensure a consistent size and shape. Additionally, the audience learns how the cucumbers are picked and sorted according to size.

The episode then moves on to a hot pepper farm in Ontario, Canada. The host explains how the peppers are grown in a greenhouse and how they use an insect called the whitefly to control pests. They also explain how the peppers are picked and sorted by hand and how they are processed into a variety of different products, including hot sauce.

The show then takes a closer look at how greenhouse-grown herbs and spices are produced. The audience is taken on a tour of a greenhouse in Vermont that grows organic aromatics, including basil, cilantro, and parsley. The host explains how the herbs and spices are grown in a hydroponic system and how they are harvested and packaged for shipping.

The final segment of the episode focuses on the production of greenhouse-grown mushrooms. The host takes the audience on a tour of a mushroom farm in Pennsylvania and explains how the mushrooms are grown in a controlled environment. They also explain how workers harvest the mushrooms and how they are packaged for shipping.

Throughout the episode, the audience is treated to an informative and entertaining look at the science behind producing food in a greenhouse or hothouse environment. The production team has done an excellent job of capturing the beauty and functionality of the structures and the care and dedication that goes into producing some of the world's most popular foods. Overall, In the Hot House is an excellent episode of Food Factory that illustrates the importance of innovation and technology in modern food production.