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

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 monthlyEpisodes284Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceFoodArts

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Artwork for Gastropod

Latest Episodes

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

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 testicles, get from its Mexican forest home to a tattoo... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Jules Sherrod
Author of 'Crip Up the Kitchen', and advocate for adaptive cooking
Episode: OXO, Cuisinart, and Julia Child: The Secret (Accessible) History Behind Your Kitchen
Mary Lou Arpaez
Head of the Avocado Breeding Program at UC Riverside
UC Riverside
Episode: Ripe for Global Domination: The Story of the Avocado
Brooke Larmor
Freelance journalist and on-money columnist for the New York Times Magazine
New York Times Magazine
Episode: Ripe for Global Domination: The Story of the Avocado
Lauren Euler
Freelance journalist and author specializing in food culture
Episode: Ripe for Global Domination: The Story of the Avocado

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 States9 days 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
    Canada19 days 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
    a month 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 Zealand3 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
    3 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
#32
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#2
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#11
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#24
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong
Q: What was the main finding of Kevin Hall's research regarding metabolism and weight loss?
Weight loss is primarily correlated with calorie reduction rather than metabolism rates, challenging the belief that faster metabolism leads to weight loss.
Should You Be Eating Poison Oak?
Q: Why would Jeff eat Poison Oak?
Jeff wanted to make himself immune to poison oak by eating it, seeing it as a solution to his repeated rashes.
No Buzz Booze: The History and Science of Going Low- or No-Alcohol
Q: What challenges do brewers face in creating non-alcoholic beverages?
Brewers must deal with flavor loss when alcohol is removed, and they often have to add back flavors or acidity to ensure the product is appealing.
No Buzz Booze: The History and Science of Going Low- or No-Alcohol
Q: How do they make non-alcoholic beer?
They use various techniques such as boiling alcohol off, using reverse osmosis, or other processes to create lower alcohol alternatives while preserving flavor.
Moon Rocks Wanted (guest episode)
Q: What inspired you to investigate moon rocks?
I realized that many Goodwill Rocks were unaccounted for and I wanted to teach my future investigators about investigating them safely.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Gastropod, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Gastropod?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Gastropod, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
3. Radiolab
4. The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Gastropod are there?

Gastropod launched 12 years ago and published 284 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Gastropod from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Gastropod?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Gastropod. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Gastropod?

Recent guests on Gastropod include:

1. Ken Albala
2. Casey Highsmith
3. Riche Richardson
4. Perd Wright
5. Christine Ha
6. Jules Sherrod
7. Mary Lou Arpaez
8. Brooke Larmor

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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