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Why do we blend?

Blending is a distinctly human activity. Many of our products – like whisky and tea – are blended. But why do we blend?

Blending ingredients to produce something new is a distinctively human urge, and one of our most creative acts. We blend all sorts of products, such as tea, champagne and perfume. Did you know that blended whiskies combine over 30 single malts? In this week’s Why Factor, Barry Smith asks - why we blend. And why some blends work whilst others don’t.

Presenter: Barry Smith
Producer: David Edmonds
Editor: Richard Knight

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Aug 201908:06GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only

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Broadcasts

  • Mon 5 Aug 201912:32GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Mon 5 Aug 201917:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 5 Aug 201921:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Tue 6 Aug 201901:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Mon 12 Aug 201908:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only

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  • The Why Factor

    The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions