Waffles + Mochi - Herbs & Spices (S1E7)
Herbs and spices are flying off the shelves at the supermarket — but so is all the color! Can Waffles and Mochi fix it before Mrs. O finds out?
| Runtime (min) | 28 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-03-16 |
| Genres | Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
When Waffles and Mochi arrive at the supermarket, they discover that herbs and spices are suddenly in high demand—but there's a mysterious problem. All the vibrant colors are disappearing from the store's shelves and products, leaving everything dull and gray. The duo realizes they need to understand what makes herbs and spices so special and flavorful before they can solve the color crisis. Their investigation takes them on a journey to learn about different seasonings from around the world and how these ingredients bring both flavor and visual appeal to food.
To restore the missing color and fix the problem before Mrs. Obama discovers what's happened, Waffles and Mochi explore various herbs and spices, meeting experts and home cooks who demonstrate how these ingredients transform ordinary dishes. They learn hands-on lessons about the importance of seasoning in cooking and discover that herbs and spices do more than just add taste—they bring joy, tradition, and brightness to meals. Through their adventure, the friends work to return everything to normal while gaining a deeper appreciation for these essential kitchen ingredients.
What parents say
Parents have praised Waffles + Mochi for its educational approach to food and cooking, noting that the show makes learning about ingredients fun and accessible for young children. Many parents appreciate that the series introduces global cuisines and cooking techniques without talking down to kids, and they've highlighted guest appearances by chefs and food experts as particularly valuable. The show's emphasis on trying new foods and understanding where ingredients come from has been well-received by families looking to expand their children's palates.
Parents have also complimented the show's positive messages about curiosity, friendship, and problem-solving. Several reviews mention that children are more willing to try herbs and spices in their own meals after watching episodes like this one. Some parents note that the show's gentle pacing and lack of commercial breaks make it a calming viewing experience, while the colorful puppetry and Michelle Obama's warm presence keep kids engaged throughout each episode.
What kids learn
Children learn about the culinary importance of herbs and spices and how these ingredients add flavor, aroma, and color to food. The episode demonstrates that seasoning isn't just about making food taste better—it's also about making meals more visually appealing and exciting. Kids discover that different cultures around the world use distinct herbs and spices in their traditional dishes, helping them understand that food is connected to heritage and geography. This exposure encourages children to be more adventurous eaters and to appreciate the diversity of global cuisines.
The episode also teaches problem-solving and responsibility as Waffles and Mochi work to fix the color crisis before Mrs. Obama finds out. Children see that mistakes can be opportunities to learn and that working together leads to better solutions. The hands-on demonstrations of how to use herbs and spices give kids practical knowledge they can apply in their own kitchens, building confidence around cooking and food preparation.
Additionally, young viewers learn observational skills as the characters investigate what went wrong and use their senses—sight, smell, and taste—to understand ingredients better. The episode reinforces that learning about food can be an adventure filled with discovery, and that even small ingredients can make a big difference in cooking.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What herbs and spices are featured in this episode? | The episode showcases a variety of herbs and spices from different culinary traditions around the world. Waffles and Mochi explore seasonings that represent diverse cuisines, learning how each one contributes unique flavors and colors to dishes. The show demonstrates both fresh herbs and dried spices, helping children understand the difference between the two and how cooks use them in everyday cooking. The specific selections emphasize accessibility, featuring ingredients families can easily find in most grocery stores. |
| Is this episode appropriate for picky eaters? | This episode is particularly well-suited for picky eaters because it presents herbs and spices in a fun, non-threatening way. Rather than pressuring children to eat unfamiliar foods, the show encourages curiosity and exploration through the characters' adventures. The visual storytelling about color and flavor can help children become more interested in trying new seasonings. Many parents find that watching Waffles and Mochi's enthusiasm makes their own children more willing to experiment with herbs and spices at mealtimes, though every child responds differently. |
| Can my child help cook with herbs and spices after watching? | The episode provides a gentle introduction to using herbs and spices that can inspire age-appropriate kitchen participation. Young children can help sprinkle dried herbs, smell different spices, or identify colors and textures under supervision. Older kids might be ready to measure seasonings or learn about flavor combinations. The show's demonstrations offer a starting point for conversations about cooking, and parents can use the episode as a springboard for simple kitchen activities like making herb butter or mixing their own spice blends together. |
| Does the episode explain where herbs and spices come from? | The episode touches on the origins of herbs and spices as part of Waffles and Mochi's educational journey. Children learn that these ingredients come from plants grown in different parts of the world, connecting food to geography and agriculture. The show presents this information in an age-appropriate way that satisfies young children's curiosity without overwhelming them with details. This global perspective helps kids understand that the seasonings in their kitchen have traveled from farms and gardens, fostering appreciation for the food supply chain. |
| What is the main lesson about the color disappearing from the store? | The color crisis serves as a creative device to illustrate how herbs and spices bring vibrancy to both food and life. Children learn that these ingredients aren't just functional—they make meals more beautiful and appealing. The storyline reinforces that small details matter and that fixing problems requires understanding their root causes. By connecting color with flavor and the importance of herbs and spices, the episode makes an abstract concept tangible for young viewers, showing them that cooking involves all the senses working together. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? To find out, Waffles and Mochi try pasta with tomato "candy," yummy pizza and a cold soup called gazpacho. |
| 1 | 2 | Salt can make our taste buds sing — but too much of it on top of Mrs. O's favorite cookies is a terrible thing! Turns out a little bit goes a long way. |
| 1 | 3 | With potato sales plummeting at the market, Waffles and Mochi take to the skies to learn about spuds and the delicious things you can do with them. |
| 1 | 4 | Waffles dropped the store's last jar of pickles and needs to replace them... fast! But pickling is a process that, like all good things, takes time. |
| 1 | 5 | Waffles helps Mochi trace his family tree to find out where he came from, only to discover a surprising ancestor — rice — with a fascinating history. |
| 1 | 6 | Mrs. O sends Waffles and Mochi on an epic hunt around the world to find four different kinds of eggs for her friend, a famous chef. Time to get cracking! |
| 1 | 7 | Herbs and spices are flying off the shelves at the supermarket — but so is all the color! Can Waffles and Mochi fix it before Mrs. O finds out? |
| 1 | 8 | A cooking contest challenges Waffles and Mochi to make the tastiest corn dish they can. But to win, they'll need to do some serious research. |
| 1 | 9 | Waffles and Mochi face their fears on a mission to find more mushrooms for the store by talking to experts who are putting the "fun" in fungi. |
| 1 | 10 | A special dinner to say thank you to all the friends they've made sends Waffles and Mochi in search of water — the world's most important ingredient. |
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