Food Unwrapped - Season 17

Jimmy Doherty asks what offers better value: growing your own fruit and veg or buying from the supermarket? Plus, investigating the illegal trafficking of eels, and ginger beer.

Matt Tebbutt reveals the secret behind the iced writing that is so perfect on every supermarket birthday cake, while Kate Quilton looks at the growing trend of hemp-based food products. Jimmy Doherty heads to Japan to establish why soy is in so many of the public's favourite foods and learns how this little bean could be health enhancing.

Some favourite investigations as Jimmy Doherty looks at how our national dish could become squid and chips, Kate Quilton reports on kangaroo meat, and Matt Tebbutt looks at pesto

Kate and Helen explore vanilla, while in the Netherlands Matt explores the myth that Edam balls were once used as emergency cannon balls!

Favourite investigations. Kate Quilton visits McVitie's to ask why many biscuits have little holes all over them. Jimmy Doherty finds out how corks are made for wine bottles.

Favourite investigations. Jimmy Doherty visits Europe's biggest brewery. Kate Quilton challenges Matt Tebbutt to make crumpets. And Matt discovers why maple syrup is so expensive.

Jimmy Doherty visits Spain to ask how much orange is in orange squash, Matt Tebbutt runs across a pond of custard, and Kate Quilton lifts the lid on Marmite

Favourite investigations. Jimmy Doherty finds out what gives piquanté peppers their sweetness. And Kate Quilton investigates potentially dangerous levels of mercury in tuna fish.

Favourite investigations. Matt Tebbutt visits China, the world's biggest oyster producer. Jimmy Doherty looks at dry gin. Kate Quilton asks if herbal bedtime teas can help you nod off.