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
Apr 16, 2024 • 45min
All You Can Eat: The True Story Behind America's Most Popular Seafood
Explore the dark side of America's favorite seafood, shrimp, revealing shocking labor abuses, environmental destruction, and banned chemicals in overseas production. Learn how to enjoy shrimp with a clear conscience and support sustainable seafood options.
Apr 2, 2024 • 50min
The World Is Your Oyster: How Our Favorite Shellfish Could Save Coastlines Worldwide
Discover how oysters can save coastlines by countering sea-level rise, preventing erosion, and buffering storm surges. Learn about the ecological importance of oysters in coastal restoration, their historical ties in American cuisine, and the decline of oyster reefs impacting biodiversity.
Mar 26, 2024 • 58min
Eat This, Not That: The Surprising Science of Personalized Nutrition (encore)
Genetic epidemiologist Tim Spector discusses the world's largest personalized nutrition experiment, PREDICT, exploring how individuals respond differently to foods. The podcast delves into the influences of genetics, gut microbes, and other factors on metabolic processes, challenging conventional beliefs. The hosts share their experiences participating in the study, highlighting the potential of personalized diets for improved health outcomes.
Mar 19, 2024 • 50min
Bam! How Did Cajun Flavor Take Over the World?
Explore the unique landscape and history of Mississippi River delta shaping Cajun and Creole cuisines in New Orleans. Learn how European colonists and enslaved Africans influenced the famous dishes. Discover the legacy of Creole culinary icons and the evolution of Cajun cuisine into a global trend. Join a crawfish-catching adventure and feast with Berry and Cynthia, showcasing the deep connection of Cajun culture to food and community.
Mar 12, 2024 • 49min
Anything's Pastable (Guest Episode)
Discover the journey of creating a cookbook filled with unique pasta sauce options beyond tradition, from global cuisines to Indian Tada technique experiments. Dive into the collaboration of culinary experts as superheroes, the challenges of recipe testing, and the evolution of flavors. Explore the balance between confidence and self-doubt in the culinary world, leading to the anticipation of the book release and live tour details.
29 snips
Mar 5, 2024 • 51min
Can You Patent a Pizza?
Dive into the bizarre world of food intellectual property with the accidental creation of stuffed crust pizza and legal battles over patents for unique food inventions. Explore the challenges of protecting culinary innovations through trademarks and trade dress, and discover the importance of intellectual property in fostering creativity in the food industry.
Feb 27, 2024 • 45min
Super Fry: The Fight for the Golden Frite (encore)
Delve into the historical origins of fries and the ongoing debate over who invented it. Explore the battle for the ultimate fry and the mayo vs ketchup debate. Learn about the evolution of fried potatoes and the unique cultural significance of Belgian fries. Unravel the origin of double-fried Belgian fries and the science behind perfecting French fries.
Feb 20, 2024 • 45min
Dining at the (Other) Top of the World: Hunger, Fruitcake, and the Race to Reach the South Pole
Discover the challenges of survival in Antarctica, where food is everything. Explore the culinary talents of expedition chefs and the race to the South Pole fueled by food. Learn about historical expeditions, pemican's vital role, and the longing for fresh produce in the icy landscape.
Feb 6, 2024 • 53min
Dining at the Top of the World: Arctic Adaptation, Abundance, and...Ice Cream
Discover the challenges and survival strategies of indigenous people in the Arctic. Learn about traditional methods of food preservation, unique dishes like frozen meats coated in seal oil, and a dessert called Aquatook. Explore the role of women in native cuisine and the controversial ideas of colonizing the region. Dive into the impact of the traditional Arctic diet on cardiovascular health and genetic adaptations to a high-fat diet. Uncover the challenges in serving native foods to elders.
Jan 23, 2024 • 46min
Cork Dork: Inside the Weird World of Wine Appreciation (encore)
Author Bianca Bosker takes us on a journey into the history and science behind blind tasting, wine flavor wheels, and the craft of the sommelier. The podcast explores the world of sommeliers, the role of sommeliers in selecting and pairing wines for restaurants, and the esoteric etiquette involved in pouring wine. It also discusses the art of blind tasting and creating a lexicon of smells to help winemakers communicate. Tips for choosing wine at a restaurant and participating in a blind wine tasting are shared.
