How Stuff Works: Food and Beverage

It is the biggest crop in the world and can be turned into everything from fuel to plastic to life-saving medicine. Explore the genetic secrets, high-tech labs and hard work that goes into transforming this ordinary crop into a modern miracle.

We delve into the science of salt, the prehistoric, life-sustaining mineral that has 14,000 known uses from seasoning food to so much more.

Nutritional and versatile, wheat isn't just for food anymore. Explore its surprising uses in everything from brewing beverages to building houses.

We talk to the experts, brew masters and beer connoisseurs about how they're innovating new ways to make beer.

From Colombia to coffeehouse we talk to farmers, baristas, and everyone in between about the incredible beverage that fuels the World.