🎧 From Cactus to Culture: The Science of Ethnomicrobiology with Dr. César Ojeda
Who's ready to learn more about wild fermented beverages? Join me on the podcast this week to hear how prickly pear cactus can be transformed into a delightful brew.
New on the show, I speak with Dr. César Ojeda, an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Dr. Ojeda shares his insights on traditional Mexican fermented beverages, particularly focusing on the science and cultural importance of these foods. We discuss the concept of ethnomicrobiology, the role of microbes in traditional agriculture, and how microbial communities impact the fermentation process. From lessons on prickly pear cactus fermented beverages and the significance of various fermentation containers, we cover a delightful array of fun food science topics!
About César
Dr. César Iván Ojeda Linares is an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Born in Xochimilco, Mexico City, he grew up witnessing the decline of traditional agricultural practices and their impact on diet, health, and cultural heritage. His early experiences in the chinampas, producing pulque with his grandparents, shaped his passion for food systems, fermentation, and microbial-human interactions.
He earned his Master’s in plant ecology, evolution, and development from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, with research stays in Japan. His PhD expanded into ethnobiology, focusing on traditional fermented beverages, their microbial communities, and the cultural knowledge that sustains them. His research has led to the revival of endangered fermentation practices, the establishment of community-led festivals, and educational initiatives integrating traditional ecological knowledge with microbiology.
Dr. Ojeda Linares actively collaborates with indigenous and rural communities, teaching fermentation workshops and promoting the conservation of microbial and agrobiodiversity. His recent work proposes a new discipline, ethnomicrobiology, to explore microbial-human interactions in food, health, and agriculture. Committed to bridging academia and local knowledge, he continues to advocate for sustainable food systems and the preservation of biocultural heritage.
Listen to the interview
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Watch the video
Available exclusively on the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel, you can catch the full video version of this episode and others! Enjoy!
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as professor and herbarium curator at Emory University School of Medicine, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.
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