Series shares real spices of life

Once prized as treasures worth their weight in gold and serving as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations, spices are an essential part of everyday life. From the ancient Silk Road to modern supermarket shelves, their influence has spread to every corner of the globe.

But how well do we truly understand these small seeds, barks and leaves? How have they shaped diverse culinary cultures and in what subtle ways do they continue to impact our daily lives?

The fifth season of Once Upon a Bite, focusing on The Spice Legends, takes an in-depth journey to answer these questions. With a global perspective, the series traces the origins, expansion and evolution of spices, illustrating how they influence human life and become woven into our shared cultural heritage. It invites viewers to rediscover these "familiar strangers".

Premiering last month on Tencent Video, the seven-episode documentary series has quickly resonated with audiences, climbing to the top of the platform's documentary charts, trending lists and food documentary rankings to secure the No 1 spot.

This series not only takes viewers on a deep dive into essential culinary seasonings like chili peppers, cinnamon, pepper and garlic — staples in daily meals — but also broadens the horizon, exploring the global boundaries of fragrant creations. It follows the flow, migration, conquest and integration of spices, offering a global perspective on unique Chinese cuisines.