Gastropod
Food
About
Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley on food through science and history.
Episodes
- Feel the Beet: The Most Fascinating Woman You've Never Heard Of
This Gastropod episode explores the life of Lydia Maria Child, a prolific writer and advocate in the 1800s, and her unexpected connection to the beet. It delves into the historical belief that beets could help end slavery and traces the ve…
- White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries
This Gastropod episode examines the long-standing debate between white and whole wheat, tracing its history from ancient times. It covers the invention of sliced bread and the science behind Wonder Bread.
- Protein, Pyramids, and Politics: The Forgotten Stories and Controversial Science Behind Government Dietary Advice
This episode explores the history and science behind government dietary advice, including the food pyramid, Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs), and Daily Values on nutrition labels. It examines how these guidelines are developed and why t…
- Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of sushi, tracing its origins from a fermented fish pickle to the popular seafood snack it is today. It examines how sushi evolved and gained widespread appeal.
- SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
This Gastropod episode delves into the federal SNAP program, also known as food stamps. It discusses its significance to Americans, the reasons behind its structure, and the ongoing challenges and political debates surrounding its existenc…
- When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
This Gastropod episode explores the definition of a pancake and its diverse forms around the world. It also uncovers the controversial history behind the Aunt Jemima pancake mix.
- OXO, Cuisinart, and Julia Child: The Secret (Accessible) History Behind Your Kitchen
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of accessible kitchen design, highlighting how innovations originally intended for people with disabilities have benefited everyone. It covers the origins of popular kitchen tools like OXO Goo…
- Ripe for Global Domination: The Story of the Avocado
This Gastropod episode delves into the history and global rise of the avocado, tracing its path from ancient origins to widespread consumption. It covers the fruit's cultural impact, historical figures involved in its spread, and its varie…
- Canned Tomatoes and the Myth of the San Marzano
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of canned tomatoes, explaining how they became a popular pantry item. The episode also examines the reputation of San Marzano tomatoes.
- Is Your Cinnamon Fake? Where Does Kefir Come From? Plus: Why Is Citric Acid In Everything? Ask Gastropod!
This Gastropod episode answers listener questions about cinnamon, kefir, and citric acid. The hosts explore the authenticity of cinnamon, the origins of kefir, and the widespread use of citric acid in food products.
- Forget Plain Vanilla: You'll Never See The World's Favorite Flavor the Same Way Again
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of vanilla, from its Central American origins to its global popularity. It examines how vanilla
- From Fountain of Youth to Fruit on the Bottom: How Yoghurt Finally Made it Big in America
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of yogurt, tracing its global popularity and diverse forms before examining how it eventually gained widespread acceptance in the United States, despite initial disinterest and even claims of…
- Yes, You Really Can Make Food From Thin Air—And We Tried It
This Gastropod episode explores the history and science of creating food from thin air. It covers developments from space-age vodka to gas-based butter and how this technology could impact the future of food production.
- Pizza Pizza!
This episode of Gastropod discusses the history of pizza, tracing its origins from Naples to its global popularity. It explores how pizza evolved from a simple flatbread to the diverse forms known today.
- Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong
This episode of Gastropod explores and debunks common myths surrounding metabolism. It features insights from nutrition scientist Kevin Hall and science journalist Julia Belluz regarding metabolic rate, weight gain, and the effectiveness o…
- Durian Delight and Feijoa Fun: Adventures in Banned, Forgotten, and Unusual Fruit
Gastropod investigates the feijoa and durian, fruits with limited global popularity. The discussion covers their distinct qualities and why they are not widely known in the United States.
- Talking Taco
This episode of Gastropod explores the history and global variations of tacos. It covers the origins of tacos in Mexico, their emergence in the 1800s, and their diverse fillings and cultural impact worldwide, including a discussion on whet…
- Tomatoes: A Love Story
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of the tomato, tracing its journey from an unloved plant to a globally popular fruit. It covers its origins, its changing perceptions in different cultures, and the factors that contributed to…
- The Most Dangerous Fruit in America
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of watermelon, tracing its journey from wild fruit to its current form. The discussion also covers the fruit's complex cultural history in the U.S., including its association with racist image…
- The Colorful Tale of Mexico's A-maize-ing Grain
This episode explores the history of maize and its relationship with humanity. It covers corn's origins, its dependence on humans for reproduction, and its culinary uses in Mesoamerica.
- Should You Be Eating Poison Oak?
Journalist Jeff Horwitz explores whether ingesting poison oak can build immunity. He documents his personal experiment for this episode.
- Ask Gastropod: Bubblegum, Meal Kits, and the Real Truth About Rooibos
This Gastropod episode answers listener questions about bubblegum, meal kits, and rooibos tea. It explores the environmental impact of meal kits, the origin of rooibos from South Africa, and the development of bubblegum flavor.
- Feasting With Montezuma: Food and Farming in a Floating City
This episode explores the food and farming practices of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. It examines how a city built on a lake fed a quarter of a million people and the types of dishes consumed by Montezuma.
- Bananageddon! Say Goodbye to *the* Banana, and Hello to the Weird and Wonderful World of Bananas, Plural
This episode investigates the history of bananas, focusing on a fungal Panama disease (TR4) that threatens the fruit. It also explores past banana blights, the origins of banana-flavored candy, and potential new banana varieties for the fu…
- Going Bananas: How a Tropical Treat Became the World's Favorite Fruit
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of the banana, tracing its journey from a strange fruit on New Jersey docks in 1870 to becoming the world's favorite fruit. The episode explores how humans transformed the seeded berry into th…
- Do We Really Have Beer to Thank for the First Writing and Cities?
This Gastropod episode delves into the history of beer, exploring its origins and its connection to the development of writing and cities in Mesopotamia. It examines the debate over why humanity first domesticated grains and how beer was e…
- Seed Oil Scare: The Curious Case of Canola
This episode examines canola oil, addressing common claims and fears surrounding it. It delves into the history of canola, its name change from rapeseed, and investigates the science behind its alleged health impacts.
- Nutrition Advice Decoded: What Foods Are Actually Good For Us, What Should We Avoid, and Why Is It All SO Confusing?
This episode of Gastropod delves into the complexities of nutrition advice, examining the historical development of nutrition science, its successes, and how it has evolved. The discussion covers topics from debunking health myths to under…
- The Rise and Fall of Quinoa: From Incan "Superfood" to Buddha Bowl Basic
This episode of Gastropod explores the history and global journey of quinoa. It details how the grain, originating in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, transitioned from a regional food to an internationally recognized "superfood."
- The Shocking True Story of the World's First Seed Bank—And The Scientists Who Sacrificed Their Lives to Save It
This episode of Gastropod explores the history of the world's first seed bank in Leningrad during World War II. It details the sacrifices made by botanists to preserve the seed collection during a period of siege and famine.
- No Buzz Booze: The History and Science of Going Low- or No-Alcohol
Gastropod investigates the history and science of low- and no-alcohol beverages. The episode covers the origins of non-alcoholic drinks and the technology used to remove alcohol while preserving flavor.
- Moon Rocks Wanted (guest episode)
On September 18, 1998, an ad in USA Today from John's Estate Sales sought to buy a moon rock. The phone number in the ad connected to Special Agent Joe Gutheinz at NASA.
- Is My Dentist Scamming Me? (guest episode)
This Gastropod episode explores the history of dentistry, its distinction from internal medicine, and the intricacies of dental insurance. The discussion includes Jonquilyn Hill, Mary Otto, and Dr. Lisa Simon.
- Why Are Kids Dipping Cookies in Ranch, Are Food Comas Real, and What's Inside the Mummy's Stomach?
This Gastropod episode answers listener questions. Topics include ranch dressing, the phenomenon of food comas, and the diet of Otzi the Iceman before his death.
- Hacking Taste (encore)
This Gastropod episode explores the science of taste, including new research that connects it to obesity, mood, and immunity. The episode covers how taste works, why people taste what they do, and the unique characteristics of supertasters.
- The Curiously Strong Story of Mint
This episode explores the history of mint, including its role in the success of American "Peppermint Kings" and its prevalence in holiday treats. It also delves into the science behind mint's cooling sensation and its cultural significance…
- Dishwashing Debates: The Soapy Science Behind Everyone's Favorite Chore
This Gastropod episode explores the history and science of dishwashing. It covers topics such as the effectiveness of handwashing versus dishwashers, environmental concerns regarding detergents, and the origins of the dishwashing machine.
- V is for Vitamin (encore)
This Gastropod episode explores the history of vitamins and their impact on food, featuring author Catherine Price. It covers their discovery and role in processed food.
- Bringing Salmon Home: The Story of the World's Largest Dam Removal Project
This Gastropod episode discusses the Klamath River dam removal project, once the largest salmon river in the continental U.S. It covers the historical impact of dams on salmon populations and the recent efforts by various groups to remove…
- Potatoes in Space! (encore)
This Gastropod episode explores the challenges and possibilities of growing food in space for future human colonies on the Moon and Mars. It examines how Earth crops might adapt to space environments and what potential space diets could en…
- Absinthe: The World's Most Dangerous Drink?
This episode of Gastropod investigates the history of absinthe, exploring its reputation as a dangerous drink and the myths surrounding its consumption. The discussion covers its popularity, the reasons for its ban, and whether its perceiv…
- From Trash to Treasure: Why's It So Hard to Save Restaurant Leftovers From the Dumpster?
This Gastropod episode examines the issue of restaurant food waste in the US, where tons of edible food are discarded daily while many face food insecurity. It investigates why it's challenging to prevent this waste and explores new soluti…
- Smashing Pumpkin Myths: What's Big, Orange, and Having an Identity Crisis?
This episode of Gastropod explores the history of pumpkins and squash, from their domestication in the Americas to their role in modern culture. The hosts discuss the differences between various squash, the phenomenon of giant pumpkins, an…
- Meet the Queen of Kiwi: The 96-Year-Old Woman Who Transformed America's Produce Aisle (ENCORE)
This Gastropod episode explores how Frieda Caplan, known as "the Queen of Kiwi," revolutionized American produce sections. It covers her role in introducing a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, including kiwi, to supermarkets since th…
- Deli is Short For Delicious—But Are Your Pastrami and Bologna Sandwiches Giving You Cancer?
This episode delves into the history of preserved meats, tracing their evolution from ancient methods to their role in modern delis. It also investigates the health concerns associated with processed meats, including the World Health Organ…
- What's the Buzz on Eating Bugs? Can Insects Really Save the World?
This Gastropod episode investigates the global progress and challenges of incorporating insects into diets, despite earlier predictions of their widespread acceptance. It explores the environmental and nutritional potential of edible insec…
- The Billion Dollar War Behind U.S. Rum (Planet Money)
This episode discusses how US federal taxes on rum are directed to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. It covers the rivalry that began when Captain Morgan moved its operations from Puerto Rico to St. Croix, impacting the allocation of…
- The Interstitium (Radiolab)
This episode introduces the interstitium, a recently identified network of fluid channels within the body. It discusses its discovery, anatomical mapping, and potential relevance to cancer research and the connection between ancient and mo…
- Are Hush Puppies Racist? Is A2 Milk Really Healthier? And What's Up With Wedding Cake? Ask Gastropod!
Gastropod addresses listener questions. The episode explores the history of hush puppies, examines the claims surrounding A2 milk, and delves into the traditions of wedding cakes.
- Why Does Everyone Have Food Allergies These Days?
This Gastropod episode investigates the global increase in food allergies, including why they are on the rise in both humans and pets. It delves into the causes, distinguishing food allergies from intolerances and sensitivities, and explor…