What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries

What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries

From Gastropod by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

June 9, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

This episode explores the history and biology of lobsters, including their rise from prison fare to a culinary delicacy.

Consider the lobster roll: tender chunks of lobster bathed in butter or mayo, sandwiched between two slices of a squishy bread roll… Have we caught your attention yet? Lobster is a summertime staple in New England, a fixture on casino and cruise ship buffets, and a steady partner for steak in the classic surf 'n' turf. Today, the American lobster industry is the single most valuable fishery in the country—but it wasn’t always so. This episode, we're cracking the lobster's many mysteries, including how it went from prison fare to fancy food. There's also the question of what lobster eyes have to do with both the International Space Station and the belief in Intelligent Design, plus the rollicking tale of why it took scientists so long to locate the lobster penis—and what makes lobster sex so, well, steamy? Listen in now for the lobster lore you never knew you needed to know! (encore) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Cynthia Graber, Nicola Twilley

Topics covered

  • lobster
  • seafood industry
  • New England cuisine
  • lobster biology
  • culinary history
  • sustainability

Keywords

  • lobster roll
  • lobster industry
  • surf 'n' turf
  • lobster biology
  • lobster sex
  • culinary history
  • New England

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Space Station, Intelligent Design

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