When is a Pancake Not a Pancake?
2/24/202645 min
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 the only members of the pancake family—and there are some truly controversial cakes in the wider pan family. Speaking of controversy: if you've made instant pancakes from a certain famous mix, you might not realize the racist history behind it. Join us for the shocking story of Aunt Jemima, stay for the great panc...
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First 90 secondsKen Albala· Guest0:01
[upbeat music] What a breakfast. What a breakfast. International House of Pancakes. What a breakfast. What a breakfast. Your house of pancakes makes International House of Pancakes, one of the great American contributions to world cuisine.
Nicola Twilley· Host0:17
No comment. But I do strongly agree that pancakes make a stupendous breakfast, or lunch, or even dinner.
Cynthia Graber· Host0:25
And pancakes are what we'll be serving up this episode of Gastropod. That's right, you're listening to Gastropod, the podcast that looks at food through the lens of science and history. I'm Cynthia Graber.
Nicola Twilley· Host0:33
And I'm Nicola Twilley, and this episode, there's a lot to digest as we tackle shocking allegations that latkes and Yorkshire puddings are actually pancakes. Yes, you heard me correctly.
Cynthia Graber· Host0:46
I know, I know. That battle is still to come. It all boils down, though, to that age-old question that I know you all have spent years pondering: what makes a pancake a pancake?
Nicola Twilley· Host0:57
Moving from the philosophical to the historical, we get to the bottom of why anyone would want to put an image of a blackface minstrel show character on a box of what became America's most popular pancake mix.
Cynthia Graber· Host1:09
All that, plus what should really be on the menu at the International House of Pancakes. Here's a hint: it's not what they've got now, and the pancakes are not something you'd wanna top with syrup.
Nicola Twilley· Host1:18
This episode is supported in part by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for the public understanding of science, technology, and economics. Gastropod is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network, in partnership with Eater.