Churros: A Spanish Dessert's Chinese RootsGlobal maritime trade shaped this beloved fried pastry.

From the show

Food History Unpacked

The quintessential street food is actually a product of early Asian culinary influence. Portuguese sailors encountered the frying technique for 'youtiao' during the Ming Dynasty and brought it back to Europe. Later, shepherds in the Iberian Peninsula introduced the iconic star shape as an easy-to-cook mountain food before it spread to Latin America. The journey of this dough showcases how centuries of global exploration transformed a simple breakfast into an international sensation.