Ep 6. Potash and Wild Rice

Potash and Wild Rice are the subjects of season 28 episode 6 of How It's Made. The episode starts with a look at Potash, a key ingredient in making fertilizers, and the process of extracting it from the ground. Viewers get a detailed and informative look at underground mines that extract Potash, how the raw materials are processed, and how the product is refined into a finished, usable form.

In the second segment, the show shifts focus to Wild Rice, a staple food in many parts of the world. As with most foods, there is an involved process of harvesting, cleaning, and preparing it for consumption. The team travels to a Wild Rice farm in Minnesota and follows the grain from the field, to the mill and ultimately, to packaging.

Viewers are taken on a tour of Minnesota's marshes, where Wild Rice is harvested using techniques dating back to indigenous peoples that have called the area home for many centuries. Machines capable of delicately separating and sorting grains are shown, and the importance of quality control in ensuring that only the very best grains are available to consumers is underscored.

Next, viewers are shown how Wild Rice is cooked in state-of-the-art kitchens, using special techniques that highlight the unique flavor profile of the grain. Some of the biggest names in the food industry provide insights into their process of cooking Wild Rice, and the versatile ways in which it can be used in dishes of all kinds.

In addition to a deep dive into the production of Potash and Wild Rice, viewers also learn about the many social and economic factors that impact these industries. The challenges and triumphs of farmers and production workers in both fields are highlighted and show the audience a microcosm of the manufacturing and agricultural industries as a whole.

Overall, this episode of How It's Made expertly blends fascinating technical details with social and economic context. Whether exploring the science and technology behind the Potash industry, or the exotic flavors of Wild Rice, viewers are treated to a fascinating look at two industries that most of us take for granted, but which are integral to our lives. This episode is a must-see for fans of the show, and anyone interested in the world of manufacturing and agriculture.