Gastropod
Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley
Food with a side of science and history. Every other week, co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley serve up a brand new episode exploring the hidden history and surprising science behind a different food- or farming-related topic, from aquaculture to ancient feasts, from cutlery to chile peppers, and from microbes to Malbec. We interview experts, visit labs, fields, and archaeological digs, and generally have lots of fun while discovering new ways to think about and understand the world through food. Find us online at gastropod.com, follow us on Twitter @gastropodcast, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/gastropodcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books
40 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 51min
Durian Delight and Feijoa Fun: Adventures in Banned, Forgotten, and Unusual Fruit
In this engaging conversation, science journalist Kate Evans shares her passion for the feijoa, a fruit synonymous with home for New Zealanders. She dives into its South American roots, unique bird-pollination, and the reasons it hasn't thrived in the U.S. The discussion also touches on the durian, notorious for its pungent smell and cultural significance, even being banned from public transit in some places. Together, they explore the intense feelings these unusual fruits evoke and what makes them so special to those who love them.
18 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 43min
Talking Taco
Join food studies expert Jeffrey Pilcher and writer Alonso Rubalcaba as they unravel the delicious history of tacos. Discover the fascinating journey of Al Pastor tacos and their unique evolution, including a pineapple twist! Explore taco traditions in early 20th century Mexico and their socio-economic implications. Learn how tacos transformed from regional specialties to fast-food icons, thanks in part to Glen Bell. Finally, dive into the global taco phenomenon and its exciting cultural adaptations around the world. It's a tasty journey through time!
94 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 51min
Tomatoes: A Love Story
Harry Klee, an Emeritus professor focused on breeding better-tasting tomatoes, joins Gabriela Toledo, an associate professor and founder of the Tomatoes for Tomorrow Initiative. They explore the tomato's fascinating journey from culinary obscurity to global fame. Discover the historical challenges the tomato faced, the rise of tomato pills in America, and the flavor trade-offs of mass production. They also discuss the quest to enhance tomato taste in agriculture, highlighting how modern breeding can restore the essence of heirloom varieties for future generations.
27 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 45min
The Most Dangerous Fruit in America
Adrian Miller, a food scholar focused on African-American culinary history, joins Shana Klein, an art historian and author, along with David Shields, a professor and rice foundation chair. They dive deep into the origins of watermelon, tracing its journey from bitter wild fruit to summer staple. The discussion highlights the fruit's complex history, marred by racial stereotypes and cultural significance. Listeners learn about breeding efforts in America, the social implications of iconic imagery, and the rediscovery of sweet varietals, making this summer favorite a compelling subject.
15 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 51min
The Colorful Tale of Mexico's A-maize-ing Grain
Join Jorge Gaviria, founder of Masienda, and Alberto Chesaine, guardian of the world's largest corn collection, as they unravel the captivating history of maize. Discover how this once inedible weed transformed into a cultural cornerstone through the invention of tortillas. Delve into the fascinating process of nixtamalization, its nutritional benefits, and the cultural ties it has to Aztec tradition. The duo also explores corn's vital role in culinary heritage and the ongoing challenges of preserving heirloom varieties amidst climate change.
9 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 31min
Should You Be Eating Poison Oak?
Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal reporter with a flair for the unusual, shares his wild experiment of consuming poison oak to build immunity. Alongside Noam Hassenfeld, they discuss the surprising culinary potential of this notorious plant. The duo dives into the humorous and perilous world of foraging, poking fun at the absurdity of trying to eat your way to immunity. They also explore the controversial views on poison oak consumption and unravel historical treatments for poison ivy, blending science and adventure with a side of humor.
17 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 46min
Ask Gastropod: Bubblegum, Meal Kits, and the Real Truth About Rooibos
Boris Gorelick, a senior research fellow at the Institute for African Studies in Moscow and author of "The Story of Rooibos," joins the discussion to unravel captivating topics. They explore the environmental impact of meal kits versus traditional cooking, the surprising origins of rooibos tea, and its journey from local treasure to global sensation. Gorelick shares intriguing insights into the health claims around rooibos and reveals the whimsical world of bubblegum flavor, including its fantasy taste profile and its nostalgic appeal.
13 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 52min
Feasting With Montezuma: Food and Farming in a Floating City
Luis Zambrano, a biology professor, and David Corbayo, an anthropology expert, delve into the fascinating world of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. They discuss its ingenious agricultural practices like chinampas, which sustained a city on a lake without traditional livestock. Listeners will discover the unique diet of the Aztecs, featuring items like insect eggs and axolotls, and explore the cultural significance of these foods. The conversation also touches on modern implications for sustainable urban food systems and efforts to revive this extraordinary heritage.
11 snips
May 27, 2025 • 54min
Bananageddon! Say Goodbye to *the* Banana, and Hello to the Weird and Wonderful World of Bananas, Plural
Join Dan Capel, author of 'Banana, the Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World', and Ben Brisebois, a professor of public health, as they explore the looming banana crisis. They discuss the devastating impact of Panama disease on global banana crops and the historical parallels with past banana disasters. Delve into the mystery of banana flavoring, the dark history of the banana industry, and the challenges of monoculture farming. Plus, discover innovative alternatives and the fascinating diversity of bananas, all while pondering the future of this beloved fruit.
29 snips
May 13, 2025 • 46min
Going Bananas: How a Tropical Treat Became the World's Favorite Fruit
Mauricio Diaz Granados, Chief Science Officer at the New York Botanical Garden, shares the fascinating journey of bananas from tropical origins to global staples. He discusses their surprising classification as berries and the impact of innovations in transportation that made them beloved in America. The conversation touches on the cultural significance of Chiquita Banana and the darker realities of the banana trade, including labor struggles and corporate power in Central America, revealing a complex legacy behind this beloved fruit.
