Proof

America's Test Kitchen

We take America's Test Kitchen's inquisitive and relentless approach to telling unexpected, funny, and thought-provoking narratives about food and drink. This is not a recipe show. And this is not a show about celebrity chefs or what they like to eat. Proof plunges into history, culture, science, and the psyche to uncover the hidden backstories that feed your food-obsessed brain. A production of America's Test Kitchen.

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250 episodes
Updated February 5

Episodes250

Newest first

May 30, 2024 · 40 min
100 Proof: The Dawn of the American Cocktail (Episode 2)
Where does the word "cocktail" come from? Who invented it? We explore these questions and the backstories of two drinks from America's early days as a nation: The Mint Julep and the Sazerac.
May 23, 2024 · 38 min
100 Proof: It Wasn't Always Like This (Episode 1)
In the inaugural episode of our first-ever miniseries, we explore how we got to our modern cocktail renaissance. Why were mixed drinks from the 90s and early 2000s shells of the craft cocktails we see today? Hosted by Cook's Country Editor-in-Chief Toni Tipton-Martin, and reported by Proof's managing producer, Yumi Araki.
May 13, 2024 · 4 min
Introducing 100 Proof: Our Miniseries on the American Cocktail
Welcome to Proof's first-ever miniseries: 100 Proof: The Journey of the American Cocktail. Over six episodes, we’ll look at the rise and fall--and subsequent resurgence--of the American cocktail, and we'll also share some recipes along the way. Hosted by Cook's Country Editor-In-Chief Toni Tipton-Martin, and reported by Proof's managing producer, Yumi Araki. Episode 1 drops May 23.
May 2, 2024 · 39 min
The Unavoidable Ingredient
Can saliva change the way our food tastes? Does it affect our cooking? Reporter Jacklyn Kim digs into the unexpected ingredient that we end up adding to every meal.
Apr 25, 2024 · 37 min
A (Wooly) Mammoth of A Meal
In 1951, the Explorers Club in New York had a 250,000-year-old woolly mammoth on their menu at their annual banquet. Follow reporter Doug Mack as he excavates what exactly went on at this perplexing prehistoric dinner.
Apr 18, 2024 · 41 min
The River That Feeds Us
Journalist Camilo Garzón embarks on a quest along the Magdalena River to experience a Colombian tradition that's making a comeback called Paseo de Olla: The Cooking Pot Trip.
Apr 11, 2024 · 37 min
Boycotting Your Favorite Food
What happens when you have to boycott your favorite dish? Our reporter travels to her home in North east India to find out.
Apr 4, 2024 · 46 min
It’s All Greek Salad to Me
We kick off a new season of Proof with a look at the origin and evolution of Horiatiki, or the Greek Salad.
Mar 27, 2024 · 44 min
Conan O'Brien on Your Mama’s Kitchen Podcast
Before we return next week with new episodes of Proof, we're sharing an episode of Your Mama’s Kitchen, where host Michele Norris interviews TV’s funniest redhead, Conan O’Brien.
Mar 21, 2024 · 48 min
From The Sporkful: ANYTHING'S PASTABLE
This week, we're bringing you the first episode from a new, four-part series from our friends at The Sporkful.
Mar 14, 2024 · 40 min
Award Winners: Should I Get My Lobster High?
We wrap up awards season with our Signal Award-Winning episode that asks: Will hot-boxing a lobster before it's cooked alleviate its pain?
Mar 7, 2024 · 55 min
Award Winners: Sakura and the Wild Boars
Author Hannah Kirshner takes us along for a ride with Sakura Yoshida, a trained wild boar hunter and recounts the history of meat eating in Japan in this IACP Award-winning episode.
Feb 29, 2024 · 49 min
Award Winners: Navigating Blindness at the Supermarket
Reporter Jason Strother shows us what it’s like to navigate the supermarket while visually impaired. Listen to our Signal award-winning episode to learn what a more navigable world might be like.
Feb 22, 2024 · 41 min
Award Winners: The Drink that Wouldn't Die
Chartreuse is a centuries-old elixir crafted by Carthusian monks, and is increasingly in short supply. Learn about the spiritual significance of this potent potion in our 2022 IACP Award-Winning episode.
Feb 15, 2024 · 52 min
Award Winners: Raiders of the Lost Yeast
The plan: To extract dormant yeast from the nooks and crannies of ancient Egyptian pots stored in the vaults of the world’s most prestigious museums and bake bread with it. Can it be done?
Feb 8, 2024 · 45 min
Award Winners: You're a Good Man, Brady Keys
In the 1960s, Brady Keys’ All-Pro Chicken was hailed as the gold standard of Black capitalism. Pulitzer-Prize winning author Dr. Marcia Chatelain returns to share the story of an American fast-food trailblazer.
Feb 1, 2024 · 42 min
Award Winners: The Case of the Disappearing Franchise
Pulitzer-prize winning historian and fast food detective Dr. Marcia Chatelain explores the cases of three American franchises that disappeared from the American landscape without a trace.
Jan 25, 2024 · 56 min
Award Winners: World's Greatest Italian Beef
We replay an episode that gets to the meat of the matter on how family can be the secret ingredient to creating (what we think) is the world’s greatest Italian beef sandwich.
Jan 11, 2024 · 40 min
Cheesesteaks Go to Pakistan
Discover how the Philly Cheesesteak has travelled from America to the streets of Lahore, Pakistan.
Dec 14, 2023 · 35 min
Behind Boba Tea's Big Boom
We're spilling the tea on the origins of boba, or bubble tea. Cookbook author Clarissa Wei reports.

Proof

100 Proof: The Dawn of the American Cocktail (Episode 2)

100 Proof: It Wasn't Always Like This (Episode 1)

Introducing 100 Proof: Our Miniseries on the American Cocktail

The Unavoidable Ingredient

A (Wooly) Mammoth of A Meal

The River That Feeds Us

Boycotting Your Favorite Food

It’s All Greek Salad to Me

Conan O'Brien on Your Mama’s Kitchen Podcast

From The Sporkful: ANYTHING'S PASTABLE

Award Winners: Should I Get My Lobster High?

Award Winners: Sakura and the Wild Boars

Award Winners: Navigating Blindness at the Supermarket

Award Winners: The Drink that Wouldn't Die

Award Winners: Raiders of the Lost Yeast

Award Winners: You're a Good Man, Brady Keys

Award Winners: The Case of the Disappearing Franchise

Award Winners: World's Greatest Italian Beef

Cheesesteaks Go to Pakistan

Behind Boba Tea's Big Boom