Salt Fat Acid Heat

Salt Fat Acid Heat is a 2018 Netflix original docuseries that has effectively revolutionized the world of culinary programming. The show explores the basic fundamentals of cooking, which, as the title suggests, are salt, fat, acid, and heat. It is based off the award-winning bestseller of the same name written by Chef Samin Nosrat. Unlike typical cooking shows that often focus entirely on recipes, this series focuses on the importance of the four titular elements in creating scrumptious dishes.

At the forefront of the show is Samin Nosrat, an engaging culinary expert and the author of the original book. She is not only known for her profound culinary skills, but her warmth, humor, and infectious passion for food and life, draw viewers in effortlessly. Nosrat's engaging personality and unique approach to cooking is really the heartbeat of the show. She is not presenting the audience with itemized recipes to follow, but instead is providing the knowledge that will empower viewers to confidently navigate the kitchen, fully understanding the whys and hows of the cooking process.

Each episode of the four-part series is dedicated to one of the four fundamentals. In each episode, Samin travels to a different part of the world to explore how various cultures interpret these fundamentals in their cooking techniques and local dishes. These locales include the vibrant olive fields of Italy, exploring the role of fats in food, to the tranquil miso makers of Japan, explaining umami and salts, to the honey collectors of Yucatan, Mexico discussing acid, and finally, to Berkeley's Chez Panisse, exploring the concept of heat.

The show is beautifully filmed, with an eye for aesthetics that captures not only the food but the rich landscapes and cultures of the different locations visited. It's a visual feast for the eyes - as a viewer, you might just find yourself feeling the warm Italian sun on your skin or tasting the tang of Mexican citrus as Nosrat engages enthusiastically with the people she meets and the food she prepares and tastes. It feels authentic, intimate, and grounded, sidestepping any potentially pretentious trappings of foodie culture.

Salt Fat Acid Heat is not only an informative series, but it is also one of the most approachable food shows on television today. Its focus is not the flamboyant, drama-filled kitchen or the delicate, abstract constructions. Instead, it captures the heart of what makes cooking at home so special: the joy of crafting delicious food from basic ingredients. An educational travelogue at heart, the series serves as a platform for exploring the most fundamental elements of food preparation, while simultaneously offering a vibrant exploration of various cultures, landscapes, and people.

Fascinating characters are met along the way, from elderly Italian women maintaining time-honored culinary practices, to an exuberant grandmother cooking with traditional Mexican techniques. Through these interactions, the show pays homage to these generational culinary practices, all while illustrating that these methods and more importantly, the feelings behind them, are universally relatable.

Samin Nosrat's unwavering passion for food and her incessant curiosity about its origins, traditions, and preparation sets the tone for the series. Her indomitable spirit takes viewers on a global journey to demystify the principles of cooking, providing a delightful and grounding antidote to the seemingly untouchable, high-stakes realm of gourmet cuisine often depicted in media.

The beauty of Salt Fat Acid Heat lies in its inclusive philosophy that cooking well is not about being a world-class chef or having an encyclopedic knowledge of ingredients, but about understanding the transformative power of these four simple principles, and relishing in the joy they bring through food. It is for anyone who loves to eat, regardless of their cooking abilities, and is a delightful watch with its mix of travel, culture, food, and education.