How to Throw a Ripe Tomato

Burnt Toast

Food fights have long played a role in many cultures. Why do we love them so? This episode of Burnt Toast explores the psychology of the food fight and discusses several of the most interesting ones, past and present. Every year, in late August, 50,000 people descend on the Spanish city of Buñol to paint the town red for La Tomatina, throwing thousands of pounds of ripe tomatoes at one another. There's also the so-called Battle of the Oranges held in northern Italy, where opponents re-enact Ivrea’s civilian uprising against the ruling tyrant of the 12th century, and Germany’s Gemüseschlacht or Vegetable Battle, outside of Berlin, where a salad medley is flung through the air. We'll also speak with professional baseball players on how best to prepare to launch an aerial assault.