Gastropod

Gastropod

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

Episodes 290
Avg. Duration 46m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.7 (3,580)
Since Sep 2014
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
80%
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries

Jun 09, 2026 44m

Consider the lobster roll: tender chunks of lobster bathed in butter or mayo, sandwiched between two slices of a squishy bread roll… Have we caught your attention yet? Lobster is a summertime staple…

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

May 19, 2026 50m

In millions of homes, humans aren’t the only creatures sitting down to dinner. So what's on the menu for pets—and what impact does it have on their health, as well as the environment? This episode,…

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

May 05, 2026 44m

For those who like its earthy flavor, the humble beet can do a lot for a salad or a soup. But could it help end slavery? In the 1800s, one woman believed it could—and she wasn't just any old woman.…

White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries

Apr 21, 2026 52m

White or whole wheat: while today the question is most frequently asked at the sandwich counter, the debate over the correct answer goes back literally thousands of years. This episode, we dive into…

Protein, Pyramids, and Politics: The Forgotten Stories and Controversial Science Behind Government Dietary Advice

Apr 07, 2026 55m

ICYMI, our old friend the food pyramid has been flipped on its head. The Trump administration recently issued new dietary guidelines that it says will "revolutionize our nation's food culture." It's…

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime

Mar 24, 2026 45m

Sushi is everywhere these days—in grocery stores and gas stations, at buffets and birthday parties, in Europe and Latin America and all over the United States. This popularity is especially…

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

Mar 10, 2026 46m

SNAP—the federal assistance program better known as food stamps—helps put food on the table of nearly one in eight Americans today. But, as new legislation is phased in over the coming months, more…

When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?

Feb 24, 2026 45m

We aren't afraid to ask the big questions here at Gastropod, such as: what exactly is a pancake? If you think you know the answer, prepare to have your mind blown. It turns out the sweet,…

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

Feb 10, 2026 51m

For many people with disabilities, the kitchen can seem a deeply unfriendly place. From counters that require users to stand and cabinets that are often out of reach, to ovens that can’t be opened in…

Ripe for Global Domination: The Story of the Avocado

Jan 27, 2026 46m

We’re coming up to AvocadoFest 2026, otherwise known as the Super Bowl, when Americans get fully a fifth of their annual avocado allocation. But how did this humble fruit, originally named after…

Canned Tomatoes and the Myth of the San Marzano

Jan 13, 2026 50m

Canned tomatoes are a perfect winter food. As you'll know from our tomato episode, the beautiful fruits in fresh aisle of the supermarket are mostly flavorless outside of the summer season—but the…

Is Your Cinnamon Fake? Where Does Kefir Come From? Plus: Why Is Citric Acid In Everything? Ask Gastropod!

Dec 16, 2025 42m

The season for holiday baking is upon us, and before you spice up your cookies and pies, you’ll probably want to know: is most of the cinnamon on grocery store shelves actually fake? That’s one…

Forget Plain Vanilla: You'll Never See The World's Favorite Flavor the Same Way Again

Dec 02, 2025 50m

Today, 'vanilla' often means boring, and yet the edible seedpod of this Central American orchid is one of the most expensive spices in the world, not to mention one of the most popular flavors…

From Fountain of Youth to Fruit on the Bottom: How Yoghurt Finally Made it Big in America

Nov 18, 2025 50m

Yoghurt is the most diverse section of the dairy case: from Icelandic skyr to creamy Australian, and fruity French Yoplait to full-fat Greek. With something to suit every palate, plus a dose of…

Yes, You Really Can Make Food From Thin Air—And We Tried It

Nov 04, 2025 48m

Every second of every day, plants on earth do something miraculous: they take the carbon dioxide from air and turn it into food. With very few exceptions, everything we eat starts out that way. But…

Pizza Pizza!

Oct 21, 2025 46m

At last, an episode on pizza! But that raises a tricky question: what exactly is pizza? As it turns out, the original pizzas from eighteenth-century Naples looked nothing like a standard slice—they…

Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong

Oct 07, 2025 48m

If you’ve heard of metabolism, you’ve probably heard endless tips and tricks to boost it, from working out to drinking green tea. The idea is that a slow metabolism leads to weight gain, and speeding…

Durian Delight and Feijoa Fun: Adventures in Banned, Forgotten, and Unusual Fruit

Sep 23, 2025 50m

This week on Gastropod, a feast of fruits! Specifically, feijoa and durian—and, if you haven’t heard of either, you’re not alone. Unlike the ubiquitous strawberry or banana, durian and feijoa are…

Talking Taco

Sep 09, 2025 43m

Whether or not it's Tuesday, tacos pretty much always hit the spot—and not just in their homeland in Mexico. These days, the taco can be found all over the world, although it's acquired some strange…

Tomatoes: A Love Story

Aug 19, 2025 50m

The tomato is Gastropod’s favorite flavor of summer, and we’re not alone: today, it’s the most popular vegetable on the planet, despite the fact that it's technically a fruit. But, until a couple of…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Gastropod have?

Gastropod has published 290 episodes since September 2014, covering topics in Arts, Food.

Is Gastropod still active?

Gastropod is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 46m.

How do I contact Gastropod for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Gastropod, including email and social media links.

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