The Most Dangerous Fruit in America
Gastropod5 Aug 2025

The Most Dangerous Fruit in America

It's the epitome of summertime: there’s nothing like a cold, juicy slice of red watermelon on a swelteringly hot day. But, once upon a time, watermelons were neither red nor sweet—the wild watermelon has white flesh and a bitter taste. This episode, we scour Egyptian tombs, decaying DNA, and ancient literature in search of watermelon's origins. The quest for tasty watermelon continues into modern times, with the rediscovery of a lost (and legendarily sweet) varietal in South Carolina—and the Nigerian musical secret that might help you pick a ripe one. But the fruit's history has often been the opposite of sweet: watermelons have featured in some of the most ubiquitous anti-Black imagery in U.S. history. So how did the watermelon become the most dangerous—and racist—fruit in America? (encore) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(289)

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

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

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, we...

19 Mai 50min

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

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

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. Th...

5 Mai 44min

White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries

White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries

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 t...

21 Apr 52min

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

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

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 a...

7 Apr 55min

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime

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 astonishin...

24 Mar 45min

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

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

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 th...

10 Mar 46min

When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?

When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?

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-covere...

24 Feb 45min

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

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

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 ...

10 Feb 51min

Populært innen Vitenskap

fastlegen
tingenes-tilstand
jss
dekodet-2
rekommandert
forskningno
sinnsyn
villmarksliv
liberal-halvtime
rss-paradigmepodden
rss-nysgjerrige-norge
rss-zahid-ali-hjelper-deg
tidlose-historier
rss-inn-til-kjernen-med-sunniva-rose
kvinnehelsepodden
rss-rekommandert
nordnorsk-historie
fjellsportpodden
rss-lundqvist-podden
vett-og-vitenskap-med-gaute-einevoll