Shrubbish

Sarah McAfee

A slice of insight and discovery on a variety of non-boozy beverage related topics, a pinch of personal addiction stories, and a taste (literally!) of everyone's favorite little elixer: The Shrub

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Top 10 Shrubbish Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Shrubbish episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Shrubbish for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Shrubbish episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Egg Cream

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04/03/24 • 32 min

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Do you know what's in an egg cream? Join Sarah and The Shrub in this mildly chaotic episode to find out! Plus - story time.
***
-“Egg Cream” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_cream

-“Cream” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream#:~:text=Cream%20is%20a%20dairy%20product,using%20centrifuges%20called%20%22separators%22.
-“Pilk” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilk

-“Boris Thomashefsky” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Thomashefsky

-“Gem Spa” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gem_Spa#cite_note-7
-“Cream vs. Milk: What’s the Difference Between Cream and Milk?” MasterClass, 27 Oct. 2021.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-vs-milk-explained

-“An Ode to the Egg Cream, an Iconic New York City Drink” Food & Wine, 3 Aug. 2023
https://www.foodandwine.com/egg-cream-7551803#:~:text=The%20mythical%20origins%20of%20the%20egg%20cream&text=Others%20believe%20that%20it%20was,he%20sourced)%20his%20chocolate%20syrup

-Adler, Dan. “Gem Spa, the East Village’s General Store, Remembered” Vanity Fair, 12 May 2020.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/05/gem-spa-remembered

-Romagnoli, Robert. “Meet Louis Auster” NYC Eats, 2022-2024.
https://www.newyorkcity-eats.com/louis-auster

-“History of the Egg Cream” A Slice of Brooklyn.
https://asliceofbrooklyn.com/history-of-the-egg-cream/
-Arenstein, Noah. “12 Things You Didn’t Know About NYC Egg Creams” Thrillist, 19 Nov. 2014
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-york/things-you-didn-t-know-about-egg-creams-nyc

-“New York City Egg Cream Recipe and History” What’s Cooking America.
https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/nyeggcreamhistory.htm

-Fox, Joy. “History of the Egg Cream Soda” Imbible Magazine, 16 June 2011.
https://imbibemagazine.com/history-of-the-egg-cream-soda/
***

ig: @shrubbish_pod
email: [email protected]
While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

The Coffee - Part 2!

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05/15/24 • 37 min

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Let's wrap this bad boy up. Brewing methods, grinders, what's a latte vs. a cappuccino? Sarah and The Shrub cover all kinds of basics on what goes into your favorite cup of coffee.
***
- “Kopi Luwak” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_luwak

“5 Things to Know About Cold Brew.” Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company, 5 May 2023. https://kaldiscoffee.com/blogs/news/5-things-you-should-know-about-cold-brew#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20biggest%20myths,hot%20brewed%20coffee%2C%20even%20espresso.

Simon, Lucy. “What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?” Food & Wine , 31 July 2023. https://www.foodandwine.com/cold-brew-vs-iced-coffee-7567073

Fick, Karen. “Coffee Filtering Principles.” Difford’s Guide . https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1113/coffee/filtering-principles

Fick, Karen. “Coffee Filtering Techniques.” Difford’s Guide .
https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1113/coffee/filtering-techniques

“The Ultimate Brew Down: Aeropress Vs. French Press.” Handground.com https://handground.com/grind/ultimate-brew-down-aeropress-vs-french-press
- Nice, Karim. “How Espresso Machines Work.” Howstuffworks.com . https://home.howstuffworks.com/espresso-machine.htm

Fry, Phoebe. “What’s the Difference Between an Espresso, Americano, and More Coffee Drinks?” Real Simple , 23 February 2023. https://www.realsimple.com/types-of-coffee-drinks-7112708;

Barlow, Tony. “Macchiato vs. Latte vs. Flat White: In-Depth Comparison Guide.” MajestyCoffee.com , 14 May 2023. https://majestycoffee.com/blogs/posts/macchiato-vs-latte-vs-flat-white#:~:text=Macchiatos%20consist%20of%20a%20small,1%2F3%20microfoam%20milk%20ratio.
- https://bluebottlecoffee.com/us/eng/brew-guides/siphon***

The Oxymel

Shrubbish

07/11/24 • 31 min

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Take a trip to Ancient Greece with Sarah and The Shrub as they chat about a little tincture not too far off from shrubs - The Oxymel!
***
- “Oxymel” (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymel
- Slagle, Ali. “Oxymel is the Tart, Herbal Tonic You Can Make at Home.” Bon Appetite , 2 Nov. 2017. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/make-oxymel-herbal-tonic
- Deluca, Leo, “Ancient Honey-and-Vinegar Combo Could Actually Treat Infected Wounds.” Scientific American , 1 Oct. 2023. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-honey-and-vinegar-combo-could-actually-treat-infected-wounds/
- “Hippocrates” (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates- “Sekanjabin” (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekanjabin

***

The Buzz

Shrubbish

04/17/24 • 26 min

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Oh no, not another podcast episode about caffeine!
How many cups of coffee do you think Sarah and The Shrub had before this episode?
***
Sources
-Grisel, Judith. Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction . Anchor Books, 2019.
-W. Bryant, Charles & Clark, Josh, hosts. “The Duality of Caffeine.” Stuff You Should Know , iHeartPodcasts, 16 Jan. 2016.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-duality-of-caffeine/id278981407?i=1000360672007-Justin Evansm John R. Richards, Amanda S. Battisti. “Caffeine” StatPearls Publishing. 8 June 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490/
-“Caffeine” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine-“Adenosine” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenosine#Adenosine_receptors

***

The Balance

Shrubbish

02/21/24 • 22 min

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Sarah and The Shrub take a deep dive into the world of adaptogens.
***
-“Adaptogen” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen
-What are adaptogens and should you be taking them? UCLA Health, Feb 16 2022
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/what-are-adaptogens-and-should-you-be-taking-them#:~:text=Adaptogens%20are%20herbs%2C%20roots%20and,soups%2C%20smoothies%20and%20other%20foods.
-”Adaptogens” (Cleveland Clinic)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens
-”Hypothalamus” (Cleveland Clinic)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22566-hypothalamus
-”Endocrine System” (Cleveland Clinic)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21201-endocrine-system
-Velislava Todorova, Kalin Ivanov, Cédric Delattre, Vanya Nalbantova, Diana Karcheva-Bahchevanska, Stanislava Ivanova “Plant Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives” Nutrients 2021 Aug; 13(8): 2861. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8398443/
-Catherine J. Dunlavey “Introduction to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Healthy and Dysregulated Stress Responses, Developmental Stress and Neurodegeneration” J Undergrad Neurosci Educ. 2018 Spring; 16(2): R59–R60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6057754/#:~:text=The%20hypothalamic%2Dpituitary%2Dadrenal%20axis%20(HPA)%20is%20the,Breedlove%20and%20Watson%2C%202013).

YouTube:
-Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) from Mountain Gardens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn5vCF1j3Wc&t=21s
-Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis | Endocrine System from Dr. Matt & Dr. Mike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqz4WOwfz4Q
***

The Boba

Shrubbish

05/29/24 • 31 min

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Sarah and The Shrub cover the history and making of Bubble Tea, and discuss a little about her experience with AA. Potential (NA) drinking game: count how many times she says the word "boba".
***
- “Bubble Tea” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_tea- “Tapioca Pearl” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca_pearl
- “Popping Boba” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popping_boba- Wei, Clarissa. “The Story Behind Bubble Tea, Taiwan’s Iconic Drink.” National Geographic , 3 October 2023.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-is-boba-bubble-tea-taiwan- Krishna, Priya. “A Brief History of Boba.” Food & Wine , 6 June 2017.
https://www.foodandwine.com/origins-of-boba-tea-6406857- Wong, Maggie Hiufu. “The Rise of Bubble Tea, one of Taiwan’s Most Beloved Beverages.” CNN Travel , 29 April 2020.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/taiwan-bubble-tea-origins/index.html

***

The Booch

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06/26/24 • 36 min

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Get your fermentation on whith Sarah and The Shrub covering Kombucha! Also a little story (some might say rant...) from a recent weird event, and a spicy face-off between two shrubs.
***
- “Kombucha” (Wikipedia). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha

Zeratsky, Katherine. Mayo Clinic Consumer Health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/kombucha-tea/faq-20058126

MacKeen, Dawn. “Are There Benefits to Drinking Kombucha?” The New York Times, 16 Oct. 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/kombucha-benefits.html

Maicas, Sergi. “The Role of Yeasts in Fermentation.” Microorganisms, August 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7466055/#:~:text=Upon%20a%20strictly%20biochemical%20point,by%20converting%20sugar%20into%20alcohol.

Davani-Davari, Dorna; Negahdarjpour, Manica; Karimzadeh, Iman; Seifan, Mostafa; Mohkam, Milad; Masoumi, Seyed Jalil; Berenjian, Aydin; Ghasemi, Younes. “Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications.” Foods, March 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463098/

Grushkin, Daniel. “Meet the Woman Who Wants to Grow Clothing in a Lab.” Popular Science, 17 Feb. 2015. https://www.popsci.com/meet-woman-who-wants-growing-clothing-lab/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Axb37lMWI

https://www.youtube.com/@YouBrewKombucha

***

The Bite

Shrubbish

03/20/24 • 34 min

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A fascinating history of bitters. Also, happy allergy season!
**
- Parsons, Brad Thomas. Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas. New York, Ten Speed Press, 2011.
- “Bitters” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitters
- “House of Angostura” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Angostura
- “Sack (wine)” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_(wine)
- Harans, Julie. “All About Bitters: The Bar Cart Essential That Transforms Cocktails in a Dash” Epicurious, 10 Nov. 2023.
https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/what-are-bitters
- Smith, Peter. “A Brief History of Bitters” Smithsonian Magazine, 20 March 2023.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-bitters-159271950/#:~:text=Around%201824%2C%20Johann%20Siegert%2C%20who,what%20bar%20you%20went%20to.
- Robicelli, Allison. “4 nonalcoholic bitters for even better zero proof cocktails” Washington Post, 1 June 2023
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/06/01/best-nonalcoholic-bitters/

***

The Goop

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03/06/24 • 32 min

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It's getting goopy in the booth! Sarah and The Shrub meet up with a seafaring friend: Sea Moss Gel
***
- “Health Benefits of Sea Moss” (WebMD)
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-sea-moss
- Blum, Dani. “Is A Spoonful of Sea Moss the Key to Good Health?” New York Times, 10 Jan. 2023.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/well/eat/sea-moss-gel-benefits.html

“Chondrus Crispus” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondrus_crispus

“Carrageenan” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrageenan

“Spirulina: Are There Health Benefits?” (WebMD)
https://www.webmd.com/diet/spirulina-health-benefits

“Spirulina (dietary supplement)” (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)

“What Are the Benefits of Sea Moss?” (Cleveland Clinic)
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sea-moss-benefits

YouTube:
- Foodie Nation’s “Trinbagonian Sea Moss Punch”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJqL8rTtXM

Vegan with Curves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_jCa8jE4Rc

***

The Apple Cider (and Johnny Appleseed)

Shrubbish

10/04/24 • 35 min

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Sarah and The Shrub go a little off topic with the history of apple cider, but the main event is 100% that lanky woodsy wanderer: Johnny Appleseed.
***
https://cider.wsu.edu/history-of-cider/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_cider

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQKLWYBgeU

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-origins-apple-cider-180960662/

https://www.nationalapplemuseum.com/about/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/real-johnny-appleseed-brought-applesand-booze-american-frontier-180953263/

***

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