Yeast

Although the principle tastes present in beer, wine or bread are the result of the raw materials used, the strain of yeast used can also add important flavors, good and/or bad. Considering the importance of yeasts, it's remarkable how little attention they get. Vines and grapes, hops and barley, and even flour are easy for us to understand because we can see them, and they get all the attention.

Yeasts, along with other microbes, are much harder for us visually dominated humans to get a handle on because of their microscopic size. If we want to have a proper perspective on things, imagine the sponge kettle in the Dough Mixing Room is the size of a small lake and yeast cells are the size of golf balls, capable of growing rapidly and dividing every half hour or so. Suddenly they don't seem so abstract.

This week, a look at yeast.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "The weariest night, the longest day, sooner or later must perforce come to an end." - Baroness Emma Magdalena Rosalia Maria Josefa Barbara Orczy (British novelist, playwright and artist of Hungarian origin, most notable for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel, 1865 –1947)

The Story of Yeast

Winter Holiday Food Safety Quiz

It's the holiday season, so don't let your food safety guard down. Here's a quiz to make sure you're paying attention between those brandied egg-nogs.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "There is only one real deprivation, I decided this morning, and that is not to be able to give one's gifts to those one loves most." - May Sarton (1912 -1995, American poet and novelist)

(scroll over or click on iPaper below to have a drop-down menu that includes a print option)

Winter Holiday Food Safety Quiz

Feng Shui

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Zoo paid $4,500 to an expert in the ancient Chinese art of feng shui to ensure three endangered golden monkeys on loan from China can have a strong life force. Consulting the feng shui expert was part of the cost for a $7.4 million enclosure for the golden monkeys.

Who am I to argue with golden monkeys? If it's good enough for them, perhaps it's good enough for us. This week, by special request, a look at feng shui.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "In case you ever run out of gift ideas, here's a little tip: give me your laugh. Whether it's mischievous, tender, loud, or quiet, simply give me a laugh from your heart. Your laughter brings me never-ending joy." - Helmut Walch (Austrian author)

Feng Shui

FDA History, Part 1

A few weeks ago you read about the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which over 100 people died after using a drug formulated with a toxic, untested solvent. This week, we look at more of the history of the FDA, starting with the 1906 Food and Drugs Act.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "If a person gives you his time, he can give you no more precious gift." - Frank Tyger

(scroll over or click on iPaper below to have a drop-down menu that includes a print option)

FDA Part 1