Gastropod podcast

Gastropod

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.

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.

 

#291

America's Forbidden Fruit and Forgotten First Soda: Ask Gastropod

Fan favorite Ask Gastropod is back, and we’re celebrating the season by solving a pair of ... more

Yesterday

50 MINS

50:12

Yesterday


#290

Bringing Home the Bacon: From Shakespeare to the Baconator

For many Americans, bacon is an essential element of the perfect breakfast—not to mention ... more

23 Jun 2026

48 MINS

48:10

23 Jun 2026


#289

What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries

Consider the lobster roll: tender chunks of lobster bathed in butter or mayo, sandwiched b... more

09 Jun 2026

44 MINS

44:02

09 Jun 2026


#288

A Dog's Dinner: What Should We Really Be Feeding Our Pets?

In millions of homes, humans aren’t the only creatures sitting down to dinner. So what's o... more

19 May 2026

50 MINS

50:03

19 May 2026


#287

Feel the Beet: The Most Fascinating Woman You've Never Heard Of

For those who like its earthy flavor, the humble beet can do a lot for a salad or a soup. ... more

05 May 2026

44 MINS

44:52

05 May 2026


#286

White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries

White or whole wheat: while today the question is most frequently asked at the sandwich co... more

21 Apr 2026

52 MINS

52:35

21 Apr 2026


#285

Protein, Pyramids, and Politics: The Forgotten Stories and Controversial Science Behind Government D...

ICYMI, our old friend the food pyramid has been flipped on its head. The Trump administrat... more

07 Apr 2026

55 MINS

55:00

07 Apr 2026


#284

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime

Sushi is everywhere these days—in grocery stores and gas stations, at buffets and birthday... more

24 Mar 2026

45 MINS

45:29

24 Mar 2026


#283

SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat

SNAP—the federal assistance program better known as food stamps—helps put food on the tabl... more

10 Mar 2026

46 MINS

46:45

10 Mar 2026


#282

When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?

We aren't afraid to ask the big questions here at Gastropod, such as: what exactly is a pa... more

24 Feb 2026

45 MINS

45:15

24 Feb 2026


#281

OXO, Cuisinart, and Julia Child: The Secret (Accessible) History Behind Your Kitchen

For many people with disabilities, the kitchen can seem a deeply unfriendly place. From co... more

10 Feb 2026

51 MINS

51:12

10 Feb 2026