A future with a past: Precision fermentation
Soil to Soul has found in Lauren Wildbolz a new Creative Director and ambassador whose knowledge about vegan nutrition further enhances our core range of topics. She will present a module during our upcoming symposium that takes a fascinating look at the history of fermentation.
Proteins are important for human nutrition, and the necessity of the entire meat industry often hangs on this fact. What is frequently ignored, however, is that humans have been providing themselves for centuries with proteins made by fermenting plant-based raw materials. And this history continues to be written today by numerous start-ups, some of which are at home in Switzerland, that specialise in so-called precision fermentation.
Designed by Lauren Wildbolz, the module keeps one eye on the past where the basis of everything we know about fermentation and food preservation is to be found. "The Korean expert Jeong Kwan is our eye on the history of Asia's fermented food culture," says Wildbolz. "Her tradition-conscious yet equally visionary approach to fermentation has seen her influence such renowned culinarians as René Redzepi from Copenhagen’s Noma restaurant." Steeped in tradition, the preparation of tofu has now been perfected by numerous food manufacturers. But tofu also has a lesser-known "little brother" called tempeh, a South-East Asian source of protein made from cooked legumes and a specific type of fungus. And tempeh is currently charming his way into kitchens all across Switzerland; even the renowned Michelin-starred chef Tanja Grandits has added the regionally-made product to the list of ingredients used at her Basel-based restaurant. However, it would be untypical of Soil to Soul to focus solely on the past, which is why the module also includes a talk on the future technology of precision fermentation.
This thematic module promises to be super exciting – so don't forget to share this article with your friends via your social media feeds and save the dates from September 15-17 for this and many other inspiring events.