We explore one dish and its impact on British culture in each episode. The Melting Potcast is part of Melting Pot, an online magazine that champions immigrant communities across the UK by sharing their stories of food. Produced by Julia Webster, Aisling O'Leary and Jess Browne-Swinburne. Original music by Gully Trim.

In this bitesize episode of the Melting Potcast, we spoke to Richard Vines, chief food critic at Bloomberg and author of the article: ‘How Halloumi Devoured a Nation’, to find out exactly why the British have gone crazy for this squeaky cheese.

Bitesize episode: are we obsessed with halloumi?

The first episode of The Melting Potcast is all about hummus. How did this peasant dish from the Middle East make its way to the UK? And why has it become so popular? To find out we spoke to Sami Zubaida, professor of politics and sociology; Katy Salter, a travel and food writer; and Sarit Packer, chef at the highly successful restaurant Honey & Co. which serves the best hummus we’ve ever tried. To find out more go to meltingpotmag.com where you can read Sarit Packer’s story and read her tips for making the best Middle Eastern food.