Want to learn something new?

Slightly off the topic of Khao soi again, but related to delicious food all around the world. I just wanted to let you all know the classes I'm teaching in the spring and summer. There's these 3 listed below, in addition to the tour of the music, food, and medicinal plants of Bali I'm co-leading this summer, several edible plant walks in the NY parks I'll schedule when it gets warmer, and a possible Balinese cooking class and a psychoactive plants of the world class in Williamsburg in there's enough interest in these. If you're interested in the last two, email me at

If you want to sign up for any of the classes below, please do it soon, since they cancel the classes if there's not enough people a week before, so don't leave it for the last minute or the classes may not run, and that'd be several fewer people who know how to make delicious chocolate which is a sad thing, right?!

A Cornucopia of Fruit
Have you ever tasted the legendary mangosteen or the mysterious dragon fruit? These are just a few of the enticing exotic fruits that draw people to distant lands. But you only have to come to BBG! Discover the sweet secrets of tropical and subtropical fruits—from their healing properties to their classification to where to find rare delicacies hidden in the corners of our city. Nat Bletter will present various fruits for eating and examination.
Saturday, May 17 | 2–5 p.m.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
$34 member, $39 nonmember
(Fee includes $5 materials charge.)
Registration Information

A Cinco de Mayo Chocolate Experience
From the Mayan and Aztec use of seeds for currency and ceremonies to grand European chocolate houses, cacao has played an important role in many cultures. Ethnobotanist Nat Bletter will share the complete history of chocolate and its many current and future uses. Class includes tasting of organic and flavored delights plus preparation of Aztec Hot Chocolate with Chipotle Chiles (recipe included).
Monday, May 5 | 6–9 p.m.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
$34 member, $39 nonmember
(Fee includes $5 materials charge.)
Registration Information

Ethnobotany: Cultural Uses of Plants
Certificate Requirement (track 3),
Classroom Hours: 20
Explore how plants are a part of daily human life, from foods and clothes to medicines and the homes we live in. Study the social, historical, cultural, ecological, and economic impacts of people-plant interactions around the world. Topics are: plant classification; the major food crops; plants that produce oil, fibers, dyes, and building materials; plants as beverages, spices, and perfumes; medici- nal, poisonous, and psychoactive plants; and biotechnology, ethical issues, and field methods in ethnobotany. Demonstrations and laboratory exercises are included.
$460 non-members, $430 members
SP BOT 348 6 Mondays, May 5–June 16 (no class May 26), 6:05–9:25 p.m.,
New York Botanical Garden, Watson Building, Rm. 315
Registration info here or call 718.817.8747