Interview: Ethan Frisch

Anna speaks with Ethan, co-founder of US spice company Burlap & Barrel, about spices!

It is impossible in the Global North, and in particular the US, to talk about pumpkins without talking about spices. 'Pumpkin spice' has, which Ethan points out, become a 'thing', an identity in its own right, commercialised in so many ways, outside of a pumpkin pie or a coffee drink. Therefore, at Sourced we felt it was important to delve into the spice trade for this season. The spices in Pumpkin Spice have a brutal colonial history, which have to be recognised before enjoyed with the pair discuss, as well as how ancient the spice trade it and how individual farmers have been navigating complex routes for centuries.

Through spices in Burlap & Barrel's Pumpkin Spice we find out some of the trade routes and hear about farmers that Ethan and his team work with, and understand how an equitable spice supple chain can look.