Scientists Are Producing Protein Out of Thin Air
Summary:
Finnish company Solar Foods has developed a new protein source called Solein, which they are marketing as “protein out of thin air” made by “feeding” air and electricity to microbes, which are then fermented and dried out to create a yellow powder nutritionally similar to most normal protein powders. Solein is not yet available to the public to try, but between the neutral flavor and the lack of resources needed to produce it, Solein could be a promising venture in creating more sustainable food systems.
Willow's Notes:
I think this is a win all around. It’s made of air, kind of, so neither the vegans nor the carnivores have much to complain about here. A flavorless protein that uses minimal resources, and we don’t even have to eat bugs! Hooray!
A Shocking New Development in Food Science
Summary:
An interesting new piece of food technology called the Electric Salt Spoon debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month in Las Vegas. Invented by Japanese company Kirin, this product aims to help reduce your salt consumption via sending gentle electronic currents through your tongue, causing your brain to perceive the food as saltier than it really is. The Electric Salt Spoon is not available yet in the United States, but the innovative product won multiple CES awards, and attendees who got the opportunity to try it out were overall impressed by the noticeable difference.
Willow’s Notes:
I have actually tried a similar product to this! Six or so years ago I backed an Indiegogo campaign for a company called Spoontek that had the similar intentions to create a utensil that made less salty/fatty/sweet food taste better. After months of waiting, it finally came in the mail and... it was a total letdown to be honest. Fortunately, it sounds like the folks over at Kirin made a much more successful product, and if it ever hits the US I could totally see it being a hit with the sodium-conscious crowd, especially if they expanded to create a fork as well.
This DC Restaurant Wants to See Your ID
Summary:
Café 8 in Washington, D.C., introduced a policy banning patrons under 30 after 8:30 p.m. to reduce noise and crime, following incidents such as an assault on the owner’s father and a gun-related threat. While federally legal, the policy's legality is a gray area under D.C. law, as the city's Human Rights Act prohibits age discrimination, though exceptions for "business necessity" exist. Despite a handful of disappointed youngsters, the new rule has been well-received by patrons and even local authorities. However, this could still create legal challenges down the line, though the owner has since come out and said that this “rule” is flexible and more of a preference.
Willow’s Notes:
As someone approaching 30, I admittedly love this. Even if it wasn’t because of some unfortunate incidents, I would be all about a local spot that doesn’t cater to a younger, louder crowd. However, the real issue here isn't one of public perception, but of legality. I’m no lawyer, but based on the details provided to us in these articles it sounds like the restaurant is loosely enforcing this rule on purpose. By being choosy about which under-30 customers they let in, it makes the rule more about rowdy behavior than it does age, which is what Cafe 8 was really trying to deter in the first place. At the end of the day, given that local law enforcement is aware and in support of the rule, I see this loose rule working just fine for them up until an under-30 with enough time and money to sue them comes along.
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