Nibbles – Page 468 – Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog

August 13, 2007

Chewing the khat

A traditional narcotic shrub is taking over Yemeni agriculture.

August 13, 2007

Exterminating the American bison

Advanced European tanning technology did for the buffalo. Not all the men with guns.

August 13, 2007

Ancient Irish beer recreated

Archaeologists interpret fulacht fiadh, brew ancient Irish beer, then go for curry.

August 13, 2007August 13, 2007

Heirloom tomatoes

American growers urged to try heirloom tomatoes.

Fish prevents malaria

Tilapia is good for you in more ways than one.

1. The COUSIN project aims to conserve (trans situ, no less) and use crop wild relatives in Europe.
2. That “use” part can be tough.
3. But that doesn’t stop the fine people at Aardaia. At least where aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus) is concerned.
4. From alternative potatoes in the Netherlands to alternative beans in Indonesia. All in the cause of diversification.
5. No need to find an alternative to amaranth in the American SW. Not with devoted chefs on the job.
6. The Iraqi Seed Collective is taking seeds from American genebanks to that country’s diaspora in the US, and eventually back to Iraq itself. Maybe chefs will help.
7. Good thing there are genebank backups, eh?
Published on July 9, 2025