Gastropod on Gastropods

Published: May 4, 2015, 11:58 p.m.

Finally, Gastropod is tackling gastropods! In this episode, Cynthia visits one of America\u2019s first and only snail farms.\n\nThough Gastropod is, as regular listeners know, a podcast about the science and history of all things gastronomical, we do share a name with Gastropoda, the taxonomic class that includes slugs and snails. And, as it turns out, the history and science of heliciculture, or snail farming, is completely fascinating. Join Cynthia on a trip to rural Washington State to learn how to raise snails and whether fresh and vacuum-packed taste any less rubbery than canned. Plus, you\u2019ll hear about the earliest evidence for human snail consumption, how the Romans fattened theirs up, and all about the bizarre world\xa0of snail sex.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices