Main content

The burrito story

We trace the origins of the spicy wrap from humble Mexican street food to global hit.

Ruth Alexander explores the origins and evolution of the humble grab-and-go food the burrito, which started life in northern Mexico, before crossing over into the US and becoming a hit around the world.

Versions of the spicy wrap can be enjoyed in restaurants, street food shacks and supermarket home meal kits all over the world.

We explore the burrito鈥檚 contested origins, find out why some Mexican food purists dislike the popular menu item and ask what the future holds for it, and the cuisine more broadly.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

(Picture: a burrito in a restaurant in Juarez, Mexico. Credit: Vianey Alderete Contreras/成人快手)

Presented by Ruth Alexander.
Produced by Sam Clack.
Additional reporting by Vianey Alderete Contreras in Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, United States.

Available now

26 minutes

Last on

Sun 26 May 2024 08:32GMT
成人快手 World Service except East Asia, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia & West and Central Africa

More episodes

Previous

Can beef be carbon neutral?

Next

Eating in the heat

See all episodes from The Food Chain

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Thu 23 May 2024 03:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service
  • Thu 23 May 2024 12:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 23 May 2024 17:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Thu 23 May 2024 21:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 23 May 2024 22:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service Europe and the Middle East
  • Sat 25 May 2024 10:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service West and Central Africa
  • Sun 26 May 2024 08:32GMT
    成人快手 World Service except East Asia, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia & West and Central Africa

Food Chain highlights

Tea, coffee, spices, chillies ... snack on a selection of programme highlights

Podcast