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
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.
51 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.
Jan 9, 2024 • 45min
It's Tea Time: Pirates, Polyphenols, and a Proper Cuppa (encore)
The podcast explores the history and global trade of tea, from its origins in China to its introduction to Europe. It delves into the daring adventure of Robert Fortune as he smuggled tea plants out of China, overcoming pirates and intellectual property theft. The podcast also discusses the journey of tea from India to Cornwall, England, and the challenges of growing tea in the British climate. It concludes with the story of Fortune's Double Yellow rose and a hint about the next episode.
11 snips
Dec 19, 2023 • 51min
The Case of the Confusing Bitter Beverages: Vermouth, Amaro, Aperitivos, and Other Botanical Schnapps
This episode of 'Gastropod' explores the confusing world of bitter beverages, including vermouth, amaro, and aperitifs. The hosts discuss the origins and differences of these drinks, as well as the use of botanicals. They also delve into the history and versatility of bitters in cocktails and cooking. The podcast expresses gratitude to listeners and sponsors, and introduces a sponsor named Viator.
11 snips
Dec 5, 2023 • 52min
Rice, Rice Baby
Explore the significance of rice as a staple food globally and its role in shaping communities. Discover the challenges faced by rice growers in California and the efforts to breed flood-tolerant rice. Uncover the dark history of rice related to slavery in America and the potential for black farmers to lead an innovative revolution. Understand the importance of cooperation in rice farming and African American history.
Nov 21, 2023 • 45min
Ask Gastropod: White Chocolate, Jimmies, Chile vs. Mustard Burns, and Asparagus Pee
Guests include historians and scientists who bust myths and solve mysteries about food. They explore topics such as white chocolate's authenticity, the origins of 'jimmies' for sprinkles, the burning sensation of chili peppers vs horseradish, and the science behind asparagus pee.
