Nibbles

February 11, 2008February 12, 2008

Machine with a taste for espresso

Swiss scientists announce a machine “to predict the sensory profile of espresso coffee.” Luigi comments: “Yeah, right.”

February 10, 2008

Yet more potato salad

And part 38. “La papa es peruana.” Chileans unavailable for comment.

February 8, 2008

More potato salad

Never rains but it pours, part 37. Local newspaper article on the US potato genebank.

February 8, 2008

More on Columbian Exchange

Columbus not responsible for lice.

February 7, 2008February 8, 2008

More hot cocoa

Never rains but it pours. Mars and Nestle jump on the ethical cacao bandwagon.

1. Why the modern food system prizes uniformity even though resilience depends on diversity. Spoiler alert: follow the money.
2. Historic crop varieties are finding renewed relevance as farmers contend with more volatile weather, emerging pests and changing markets. Let’s hope there’s money to conserve them.
3. India’s traditional wheat varieties contain diversity that could help breeders develop crops better able to withstand heat and drought. Let’s hope there’s money to conserve them.
4. India announces significant progress in conserving its wild rice genetic resources. Great that there was money to conserve them.
5. Community seed banks across Kenya are calling for formal recognition and sustained support, arguing that locally managed collections strengthen seed sovereignty, preserve traditional varieties and help farming communities adapt to climate change. Yes, but are they enough without national genebanks?
6. Researchers are racing to conserve wild coffee species whose genetic diversity may provide the resistance and resilience needed to secure tomorrow’s morning cup. Is the industry contributing, though ?
7. New history of the macadamia traces its remarkable journey from Australia’s native forests to a global crop, while underscoring why conserving the remaining wild populations is essential for the crop’s long-term future.
8. Researchers at the University of the South Pacific investigate how taro can withstand climate change, combining research with conservation to help protect one of the region’s most culturally and nutritionally important staple crops.
9. Chester Zoo collects seeds from highly threatened cacti, because why not?
Published on July 14, 2026