Radiolab

Forever Fresh

161 snips
Jan 31, 2025
Nicola Twilley, an author and host of the Gastropod podcast, dives into the intriguing world of food science. She discusses how refrigeration revolutionized our relationship with food, allowing us to enjoy fruits out of season. Twilley explores the role of ethylene in ripening, the innovations in produce storage, and even shares the story of a groundbreaking apparatus designed to keep lettuce fresh. Her insights reveal how the science behind cold influences not just flavor, but the future of food preservation.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

The Mystery of the Aging Apples

  • Elderly apples emit something that prematurely ages younger apples, spoiling them.
  • This mysterious "apple power" also affects other produce, causing deformities and mushiness.
INSIGHT

Ethylene: Poison and Hormone

  • Ethylene, initially identified as a plant poison, is also a plant hormone crucial for development.
  • It signals the next phase of a plant's life, like ripening or blooming.
INSIGHT

Ethylene's Wide-Ranging Effects

  • Ethylene controls ripening in various fruits like bananas and avocados.
  • It also influences color changes in fruits and even root growth.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app