Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood: on average, each person in the US gobbles up close to six pounds of the cheap crustaceans every year. We can eat so many of these bug-like shellfish because they’re incredibly inexpensive, making them the stars of all-you-can-eat shrimp buffets and single-digit seafood deals. But we've got bad news: this is one bargain that's too good to be true. More than 90 percent of the shrimp we eat comes from overseas, where looser regulations lead to horrific labor abuses, environmental destruction, and the use of banned chemicals and antibiotics—all while American shrimpers struggle to survive. This episode, we’re exploring the history of how shrimp went from a fancy delicacy to buffet bargain (yes, Forrest Gump is involved), plus what to do if you want to enjoy everybody's favorite seafood with a clear conscience. Hold the cocktail sauce: this episode will change how you look at your favorite appetizer forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Growing up in the northeast in the seventies and eighties, there was a chain, like a micro chain called beefsteak Charlie's, and it advertised an unlimited shrimp bar.
I'm beefsteak Charlie, and I'm warning you, my free shrimp and salad bar could ruin your appetite.
I found the old commercial and it's this couple comes into beefsteaks to Charlie's and they go, oh, shrimp, oh, shrimp, shrimp shrimp shrimp.
Oh shrimp, shrimp, shrimp.
And they get themselves into a lather and all they're saying is shrimp again and again and again, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp.
And then beefsteak Charlie arrives with the steaks.
Here's steaks.
And he goes, and here's your steaks.
And they go, steak, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, shrimp.
It's what makes America great.
Or at least it's certainly what Americans think is great, because Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood at all.
It is the number one seafood in America.
Shrimp is the most beloved seafood in America.
We are obviously the most beloved podcast in America.
Its an episode made in heaven.
And we, of course, are gastropod, the podcast that looks at food through the lens of science and history.
Im Nicola Twilley.
And Im Cynthia Graeber.
And ive always wondered, why is a tiny little bug like crustacean so incredibly popular?
Forget crab and salmon and tuna.