Rephonic
Artwork for Gastropod
Rice
French Fries
Agriculture
Food Culture
Food Security
Water Management
History Of Rice Domestication
Climate Change
Cultural Significance Of Rice
West African Rice Farming
Tea
Personalized Nutrition
Sustainable Farming Practices
Arctic Cuisine
Pumpkin Spice
Antarctica
Cajun Cuisine
Creole Cuisine
Nutmeg
White Chocolate

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... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes285Founded12 years ago
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ArtsScienceFood

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Artwork for Gastropod

Latest Episodes

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 astonishing when you remember that, just a few decades ago, ... more

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 than half of those people are expected to lose some ... more

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, syrup-covered stack of American breakfast fame are far from th... more

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 mobility chairs and tools that are hard to grip or... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nancy Matsumoto
Food writer and author on sake and Japanese cuisine
Food writing (various)
Episode: Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Trevor Corson
Author of The Story of Sushi
Author
Episode: Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Eric Rath
Author of Oishi, The History of Sushi
Author
Episode: Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Chris Basso
Professor of Public Policy and Politics at Northeastern; author of Why SNAP Works, A Political History and Defense of the Food Stamp Program
Northeastern University
Episode: SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Ken Albala
Professor of History, University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific
Episode: When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
Casey Highsmith
Author and researcher featured in the episode
Independent researcher/author
Episode: When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
Riche Richardson
Cornell University professor referenced in the episode
Cornell University
Episode: When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
Perd Wright
Taste-testing librarian mentioned in the origin of Aunt Jemima brand
Librarian (historical reference)
Episode: When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
Christine Ha
Blind chef and winner of MasterChef season 3
Blind Goat and Stuffed Belly
Episode: OXO, Cuisinart, and Julia Child: The Secret (Accessible) History Behind Your Kitchen

Hosts

Cynthia Graber
Co-host, experienced in storytelling and investigative reporting focused on food history and science-related topics.
Nicola Twilley
Co-host with a strong interest in culinary topics, science, and the intersection of culture and food.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • Brilliant podcast

    I adore this show. I have learned so many things that I would have sworn were boring—but this show makes it fascinating! Well researched and delivered with exceptional skill.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MichelleLovesFigs
    United Statesa month ago
  • Unexpectedly Problematic

    Endlessly interesting subject. More interesting sponsors including Trump ally Larry Ellison’s Oracle. And why someone would ham up their British Empire ancestry and mention it every 5 minutes is beyond me. These marxist elitists need a mirror when writing their scripts.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    M.Y. Ready
    Canadaa month ago
  • I recently started listening to this podcast and find it to be very interesting and well produced. Even the commercials are well done. I've learned a number of interesting things. I had no idea why it's called Taco Bell or the origin of the word bunghole. Thanks for an excellent podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jim Nasium
    2 months ago
  • Really!

    I love this show. So many interesting subjects covered. It’s great and I recommend to all and sundry. The latest show I listened to though shows the void between American food culture and my own. Making hummus and putting citric acid in it! Really! I don’t think I have used citric acid in anything over the last 10 years. I would always use the original, lemon juice, and given the conversation on Aspergillus, I am unlikely to use it again. So, thanks for the info, despite the eyebrow raise.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smeaton
    New Zealand4 months ago
  • I recently started listening to this podcast and find it to be very interesting and well produced. Even the commercials are well done. I've learned a number of interesting things. I had no idea why it's called Taco Bell or the origin of the word bunghole. Thanks for an excellent podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jim Nasium
    4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the feedback points to an enthusiastic audience that values innovative storytelling and is eager to learn about food in new contexts.
Listeners appreciate the deep, well-researched episodes that combine food history with science.
Some audience members express frustration over perceived political commentary interrupting the focus on food-related topics, while others find it enriching to the discussion.
Reviews often highlight the engaging and conversational style of the hosts, noting their expertise and ability to present complex topics in an accessible way.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#34
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#11
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#16
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#39
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Q: Why did sushi become a cultural phenomenon in the United States in the 1980s?
A combination of global economic growth, increased interest in Japanese culture due to media and entertainment like Shogun, celebrities embracing sushi, and a rising disposable income that allowed dining out and trying new foods.
Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Q: But how did sushi evolve from a year-long fermentation to something made with vinegar-seasoned rice?
It evolved through successive transformations in Japan, especially in Edo, where vinegar was added to rice and quicker, more convenient forms like nigiri were developed, making sushi faster to prepare and eat.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: Is there evidence that restricting what can be bought with SNAP improves health outcomes?
There is little to no robust evidence that restricting SNAP purchases leads to healthier overall choices; people tend to spend benefits on what they need, and incentives for buying healthier options, such as matching programs at farmers' markets, have shown more promise.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: What are the arguments for and against tying SNAP to the Farm Bill?
Tying SNAP to the Farm Bill helps preserve broad political support among agricultural states and retailers, ensuring ongoing nutrition assistance, but critics argue it creates a false dichotomy between welfare and farming policy and makes meaningful reform difficult; separating SNAP could threaten funding and political backing from rural stakeholders.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: Why do you think SNAP hasn't solved hunger completely, even though it reduces food insecurity?
Because SNAP provides an income supplement specifically for food, but hunger is influenced by a broader set of factors including health, access to healthcare, housing stability, education, and regional disparities, so money for food alone can't fix all underlying causes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gastropod

What is Gastropod about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate connections between food, science, and history, episodes are packed with engaging storytelling and expert insights. Topics range from the evolution of kitchen accessibility to the societal impacts of popular ingredients like avocados, vanilla, and tacos. Each episode tends to unravel the historical contexts of various foods, often featuring interviews with subject matter experts and bringing light to lesser-known culinary narratives. This show stands out for its depth of research, creativity in content delivery, and the fun, conversational style of its hosts, making it appealing to food enthusiasts and curious minds alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Gastropod?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Gastropod. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Gastropod and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Gastropod get?

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What are the audience demographics for Gastropod?

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How many subscribers and views does Gastropod have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Gastropod has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Gastropod?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Gastropod:

1. The Sporkful
2. Proof
3. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
4. Radiolab
5. The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

How many episodes of Gastropod are there?

Gastropod launched 12 years ago and published 285 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Gastropod?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Gastropod?

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What guests have appeared on Gastropod?

Recent guests on Gastropod include:

1. Nancy Matsumoto
2. Trevor Corson
3. Eric Rath
4. Chris Basso
5. Ken Albala
6. Casey Highsmith
7. Riche Richardson
8. Perd Wright

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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