Yum But Why?

food podcast that makes you go…yum…but wait…why?! mom & daughter duo munch, crunch, & giggle their way through your food curiosities

Episode 5: New Year’s Food Traditions

Companion blog post to Episode: “New Year’s Food Traditions Around the World”

Foraging: The Original Grocery Store – Yum But Why?

What if some of the food around you was hiding in plain sight?In this episode of Yum But Why?, Kinara and Aparna explore the world of foraging, from blackberries, dandelions, nettles, cattails, acorns, and even edible flowers to the much bigger questions behind gathering food from the land.They look at how foraging connects to human history, Indigenous stewardship, family traditions, and the way we think about where our food comes from.Then Kinara sits down with Bay Area forager Cindy (@cindydoedee), who grew up foraging with her mom, Cindy shares stories about finding the same purple-cooking mushrooms her dad remembered from childhood, foraging foods around the Bay Area, teaching kids to notice what’s growing around them, and even going more than 100 days without shopping at a grocery store.Along the way, we talk about:what actually counts as foragingsurprising foods people gather in the wildIndigenous stewardship and reciprocitywhy “wild” doesn’t always mean untouchedthe four questions to ask before gathering anythinghow kids can start learning safelyand why the first skill in foraging isn’t picking, it’s noticingImportant: This episode is educational, not a field guide. Never eat a wild plant, berry, or mushroom based only on a podcast, photo, app, book, or online video. Learn from a qualified local expert and always check the rules for where you are.Find us on Instagram: @yumbutwhyEmail us: yumbutwhy@gmail.com
  1. Foraging: The Original Grocery Store
  2. Spilling the Tea on Boba: How Bubble Tea Took Over
  3. Birthday Food Traditions: Cake, Candles, and Seaweed Soup
  4. The Scoop on Ice Cream 🍦
  5. New Year's Food Traditions

Happy New Year, Yum But Why listeners! 🎉

We just released our episode exploring New Year’s food traditions from cultures around the globe—from Hoppin’ John in the American South to tamales in Mexico, from toshikoshi soba in Japan to Indigenous first foods ceremonies in the Pacific Northwest. If your family loved learning about these delicious traditions, we’ve gathered resources, books, videos, and activities to help you continue exploring!

🎥 Videos & Online Resources

How to Make Traditional Foods

Making Toshikoshi Soba (Japanese New Year Noodles)

Hoppin’ John Recipe Videos

Tamales-Making Tutorials

Ozōni (Japanese Mochi Soup)

Korean Tteokguk

Mooncakes & Dumplings

🌍 Learn More About Specific Traditions

Black American Food Traditions & Gullah Culture

Indigenous Winter Solstice Traditions

Important Note: Always seek out #OwnVoices Indigenous authors and resources. Indigenous knowledge should come from Indigenous people.

🌟 Create Your Own Family Tradition

Remember what we said in the episode: The important thing about all these traditions isn’t following them exactly—it’s understanding what they mean and finding ways to bring hope, gratitude, and family together.

Here’s how to create a new tradition:

  1. Choose foods that are meaningful – Maybe from your heritage, or foods that represent values you want for your family
  2. Make it participatory – Like tamaladas, make the preparation part of the tradition
  3. Tell the stories – Explain to kids WHY you’re eating these foods
  4. Be consistent – Do it every year so it becomes YOUR tradition
  5. Allow it to evolve – Traditions can change and grow with your family

📚 Children’s Books About New Year’s Traditions

General New Year’s Books

“Every Month Is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World” by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Susan L. Roth

  • Ages: 5-10
  • A fantastic poetry collection introducing 12 different new year holidays from around the world—one for each month! Perfect for understanding that different cultures celebrate new years at different times.

“Two New Years” by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

  • Ages: 4-8
  • A beautiful story about a multicultural family celebrating both Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Lunar New Year. Perfect for families blending traditions!

“New Year Traditions Around the World” by Ann Malaspina

  • Ages: 6-12
  • Available on Epic! A comprehensive exploration of how people celebrate the new year across different cultures.

Black American Traditions – Hoppin’ John & Watch Night

“Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport, illustrated by Marion Eldridge

  • Ages: 4-8
  • When Grandma forgets the black-eyed peas, Shanté goes on a neighborhood adventure and learns about different New Year’s food traditions. Includes a recipe for Hoppin’ John and cultural notes.

Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year

“The Great Race” by Ling Lee

  • Ages: 4-8
  • The traditional Chinese zodiac story told in English, Pinyin, and Traditional Chinese with gorgeous illustrations.

“Bringing in the New Year” by Grace Lin

  • Ages: 3-7
  • From beloved author Grace Lin, this book shows a Chinese American family preparing for and celebrating Lunar New Year with beautiful, bold illustrations.

“My First Chinese New Year” by Karen Katz (Lift-the-Flap Book)

  • Ages: 2-5
  • Perfect for toddlers! Interactive flaps reveal traditions like eating a celebratory dinner, receiving gifts, and watching the parade.

“Lunar New Year” (Big Golden Book)

  • Ages: 2-5
  • Explains how different Asian cultures celebrate Lunar New Year with different traditions, foods, and customs.

“Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year (Seollal)” by Michelle W. Park

  • Ages: 4-8
  • Emmy-winning TV host Michelle W. Park shares Korean New Year traditions with warmth and authenticity.

“The 12 Days of Lunar New Year” by Jenna Lettice, illustrated by Colleen Madden

  • Ages: 3-7
  • A fun counting book celebrating the lead-up to Lunar New Year with community engagement and ancestor honoring.

Persian New Year (Nowruz)

“The Monster in the Bath House”

  • Ages: 4-8
  • Set in an Iranian bathhouse the day before Nowruz (Persian New Year), this engaging picture book combines myth with cultural tradition.

Indigenous/Native American Winter Solstice & Traditions

“Mouse Celebrates the Winter Solstice” by Terri Mack (Kwakwaka’wakw), illustrated by Bill Helin (Tsimshian)

  • Ages: 3-5
  • A lyrical story about the winter solstice celebration with beautiful illustrations. #OwnVoices

“Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

  • Ages: 3-6
  • Celebrates the significance of fry bread in Native American culture—food, time, nation, and more. Winner of multiple awards. #OwnVoices

“We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga” by Traci Sorell (Cherokee), illustrated by Frané Lessac

  • Ages: 4-8
  • Follows a full Cherokee year of celebrations from fall to summer, teaching about gratitude and cultural traditions. Includes complete Cherokee syllabary. #OwnVoices

“The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards

  • Ages: 8-12
  • Retellings of traditional winter solstice tales from cultures worldwide, including several Native American stories.

Spanish/Latin American Traditions

“Happy New Year Everywhere!” by Arlene Erlbach, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm

  • Ages: 6-10
  • Includes crafts and activities organized by country, perfect for hands-on learners.

Multicultural Collections

“Celebrations Around the World”

  • Ages: 5-10
  • Exposes children to different cultures around the globe, featuring 25 events including religious and non-religious holidays and festivals.

What Topics Should We Cover Next?

We had SO much fun making this trivia episode! Should we do more? Send us your ideas through our website contact form or on social media.

Keep exploring, keep tasting, and keep asking “Yum, but why?”

Have a food question you’d like us to explore? A trivia topic you want to hear? Send us your suggestions! We love hearing from our listeners and your ideas often inspire our best episodes.

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