Improving Data Security with Blockchain and Internet of Things in the Gourmet Cocoa Bean Fermentation Process.

Brazil was one of the largest cocoa producers in the world, mainly supported by the South of Bahia region. After the 1980s, the witch-broom disease demolished plantations, and farmers were forced into bankruptcy. The worldwide search for gourmet cocoa has rekindled interest in this production, whose fermentation process is a key step in obtaining fine cocoa, thanks to the fact that many processing properties and sensory attributes are developed in this phase. This article presents a blockchain-IoT-based system for the control and monitoring of these events, aiming to catalog in smart contracts valuable information for improvement of the cocoa fermentation process, and future research. Blockchain is used as a distributed database that implements an application-level security layer. A proof of concept was modeled and the performance of the emulated system was evaluated in the OMNet simulator, where a technique based on the SNMP protocol was applied to reduce the amount of data exchanged and resources served/consumed in this representation. Then, a physical platform was developed and preliminary experiments were performed on a real farm, as a way to verify the improvement of the cocoa fermentation process when using a technological approach.

Towards more sustainable diets: Insights from the food philosophies of "gourmets" and their relevance for policy strategies.

Food has become a central focus for the achievement of sustainability objectives. One of the current challenges is that promoting food sustainability requires much more attention to cultural and social contexts and the food philosophies of specific groups of consumers. The present paper focuses on those consumers in the Netherlands who intrinsically appreciate the taste and the quality of food (hereafter "gourmets"). Our expectation was that, due to their respect for the origin of food and their distance from mainstream food culture, the gourmets may be able to reveal practices and cultural assumptions that help to find entry points for promoting more sustainable food choices among the general population. Drawing on literature about gastronomy, Slow Food and craft consumption, fifteen in-depth interviews were held to examine the food philosophies of individual gourmets from a health and sustainability perspective. The results demonstrated how the values of pleasure of taste, food competences and social relatedness may contribute to the extent of complementarity between culinary and ethical principles. Entry points for promoting change in a more sustainable direction include a shift from quantity to quality, such as meals with less but better meat, a shift towards making meals less focused on meat and a general open-mindedness towards other eating styles (a new look at vegetables), a shift to planning for a competent use of leftovers and a shift in willingness to accept limitations on food choices, such as the seasonal unavailability of food.

Gourmet Table Salts: The Mineral Composition Showdown.

Table salts with their specialty flake size, textures, flavors, and colors can be considered a gastronomy niche food already increasing in demand worldwide. Being unrefined, they can contain trace elements potentially both healthy and toxic. In this study, 12 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in 10 different salts commercially available in southern Italy namely, Atlantic grey, Baule volante, Guerande, Hawaiian pink, Hawaiian black, Himalayan pink, Maldon, Mozia, Persian blue, and smoked salts were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal decomposition amalgamation-atomic absorption spectrophotometry (TDA-AAS). The concentration of mineral elements was variable according to the type of salt and its geographical origin. Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Se levels were tolerable and Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn ranged significantly among the samples. Persian Blue and Atlantic Grey salts showed elevated levels of Fe and Zn; their intake can be helpful in some specific conditions. Nevertheless, Ni levels were high in Persian Blue and Smoked salts. Pb exceeded the maximum level in all samples. Additional monitoring analyses of mineral contents in table salts are recommended for human health.

Tour of Truffles: Aromas, Aphrodisiacs, Adaptogens, and More.

Truffles are the fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that form underground. Truffles are globally valued, culturally celebrated as aphrodisiacs, and highly sought-after delicacies in the culinary world. For centuries, naturalists have speculated about their mode of formation, and in cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been prized as a delectable food source. Truffle fruiting bodies form underground and emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truffle volatiles are believed to have evolved to attract animals that disperse their spores. The main VOCs identified from truffles include sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS); in addition, 1-octen-3-ol and 2-methyl-1-propanol have been found in most truffle species. Humans use pigs and dogs trained to detect truffle VOCs in order to find these prized subterranean macrofungi. Truffles have pharmacological potential, but until more reliable cultivation methods become available their high price means they are unlikely to see widespread use as medicinals.

A Review on Sarcocornia Species: Ethnopharmacology, Nutritional Properties, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Propagation.

Sarcocornia A. J. Scott is a halophytic edible succulent plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. To date, the genus includes 28 species distributed worldwide in saline environments, usually salt marshes. Sarcocornia (Scott) is similar to Salicornia (L.), which has a recognized commercial value in morphological and taxonomical traits. Species of both genera are commonly named samphire or glassworts in Europe, and their fleshy shoots are commercialized under their traditional names. Due to their nutritional, organoleptic and medicinal properties, Sarcocornia species have a high economic potential in various biotechnology sectors. Being highly tolerant to salt, they can be cultivated in saline conditions, and dissimilar to Salicornia, they are perennial, i.e., they can be harvested year-round. Therefore, Sarcocornia species are considered promising gourmet vegetables to be explored in the context of climate change, soil and water salinization and eco-sustainability. We hereby put together and reviewed the most relevant information on Sarcocornia taxonomy, morphology, nutritional and pharmacological properties, uses in ethnomedicine, potential applications in biotechnology, and propagation strategies.

Eco-archaeological excavation techniques reveal snapshots of subterranean truffle growth.

Despite its status as a highly-prized and coveted fungi in gastronomy, many aspects of the subterranean life cycle of the Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum) are still unknown, because in situ observations of the formation and maturation of truffle fruitbodies remain difficult. Here, we adopted a suite of archaeological fine-scale excavating techniques to provide unique spatiotemporal snapshots of Burgundy truffle growth at three sites in southern Germany. We also recorded the relative position, fresh weight, maturity level and genotype composition of all excavated fruitbodies. Varying by a factor of thousand, the fresh weight of 73 truffle ranged from 0.1 to 103.2 g, with individual maturity levels likely representing different life cycle stages from completely unripe to fully ripe and even decaying. While only a slightly positive relationship between fruitbody weight and maturity level was found, our results suggest that genetically distinct specimens can exhibit different life cycle stages at the same period of time and under the same environmental conditions. We therefore argue that truffles are likely able to grow, mature and ripe simultaneously between early summer and late winter of the following year. Our case study should encourage further eco-archaeological truffle excavations under different biogeographic settings and at different seasons of the year to gain deeper insights into the fungi's subterranean ecology. The expected cross-disciplinary findings will help truffle hunters and farmers to improve their harvest practices and management strategies.

Edible Flowers, Old Tradition or New Gastronomic Trend: A First Look at Consumption in Portugal versus Costa Rica.

This study investigated the knowledge and use of edible flowers (EF) in two countries, Portugal, in Europe, and Costa Rica, in Latin America, and aimed to evaluate the similarities and/or differences regarding the utilization of EF in gastronomy. This work consisted of a questionnaire survey, undertaken on a sample of 290 participants. The results indicate that most people surveyed (87%) have heard about EF but believe there is not enough information about them (96%). Only one third of participants consider there are risks associated with the consumption of EF, being those related to toxicity and pesticides. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between participants from the two countries but not with different professional areas. About half (48%) of the participants had already consumed EF, mostly for decoration or confection of dishes (77% positive answers) and in salads (75%). The flowers consumed most frequently were chamomile and rose, respectively, in Costa Rica and Portugal. Reasons pointed out to consume EF include decoration, taste, novelty and aroma, while aspects such as nutritional value or antioxidant capacity are prized by fewer consumers. EF were mostly acquired in supermarkets, cultivated at home or collected in the wild. In general, most participants (85%) consider the use of EF in gastronomy interesting, but less than one third (27%) believe we should eat EF more often. Finally, discriminant function analysis revealed that country was the variable for which the differences in the consumption of EF was more pronounced, while education level and age group showed the lowest variability between groups.

[Nutrition and gastronomy in the Community of Navarra]. / Nutrición y gastronomía en la Comunidad Foral de Navarra.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: Navarra is a Community that presents a great geographical and climatic variety, which results in a wide food supply. Objectives: to review the typical gastronomy of Navarra, as well as the available evidence on dietary patterns, nutritional profile and health indicators of Navarra population. Results: Navarra has 7 Protected Designations of Origin and 6 Protected Geographical Indications. Its gastronomic identity is mainly associated with vegetables, lamb, veal and local sausages, which is reflected in dietary patterns. Comparatively, Navarra population consumes more vegetables and fresh fruits, but also has a frequent and excessive intake of meat (especially red) and sausages. The studies available on nutritional profile show high intakes of proteins and fats in the adult population, and inadequacy in some micronutrients in children. In the national context, Navarra has lower rates of overweight, obesity and sedentariness in the adult population, and there is a downward trend in the prevalence of childhood obesity. Conclusions: the food and gastronomic offer of Navarra is varied and with a great prominence of vegetables, although dietary patterns can be improved. To achieve a healthy and sustainable diet, it is essential to promote culinary knowledge and skills from an early age.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: Navarra es una comunidad que presenta gran variedad geográfica y climática, lo que da lugar a una amplia oferta alimentaria. Objetivos: revisar la gastronomía típica de Navarra, así como la evidencia disponible sobre el patrón de consumo de alimentos, el perfil nutricional y los indicadores sanitarios de la población navarra. Resultados: Navarra cuenta con 7 denominaciones de origen protegidas y 6 indicaciones geográficas protegidas. Su identidad gastronómica se asocia fundamentalmente con las verduras y las hortalizas, el cordero, la ternera y los embutidos autóctonos, lo que se refleja en el patrón de consumo. Comparativamente, los navarros consumen más hortalizas y frutas frescas, pero también presentan una ingesta frecuente y excesiva de carnes (especialmente rojas) y embutidos. Los estudios disponibles sobre el perfil nutricional muestran ingestas elevadas de proteínas y grasas en la población adulta, e inadecuación en algunos micronutrientes en la población infantil. En el contexto nacional, Navarra presenta menores tasas tanto de sobrepeso y obesidad como de sedentarismo en población adulta y se observa una tendencia a la baja en prevalencia de obesidad infantil. Conclusiones: la oferta alimentaria y gastronómica de Navarra es variada y con un gran protagonismo de las verduras y hortalizas, aunque el patrón de consumo de alimentos es mejorable. Para lograr una alimentación saludable y sostenible, es fundamental inculcar conocimientos gastronómicos y habilidades culinarias desde edades tempranas.

Taste and Safety: Is the Exceptional Cuisine Offered by High End Restaurants Paralleled by High Standards of Food Safety?

INTRODUCTION: Restaurant guides such as the Good Food Guide Top 50 create a hierarchy focussing on taste and sophistication. Safety is not explicitly included. We used restaurant associated outbreaks to assess evidence for safety. METHODS: All foodborne disease outbreaks in England reported to the national database from 2000 to 2014 were used to compare the Top 50 restaurants (2015) to other registered food businesses using the Public Health England (PHE) outbreak database. Health Protection Teams were also contacted to identify any outbreaks not reported to the national database. Among Good Food Guide Top 50 restaurants, regression analysis estimated the association between outbreak occurrence and position on the list. RESULTS: Four outbreaks were reported to the PHE national outbreak database among the Top 50 giving a rate 39 times higher (95% CI 14.5-103.2) than other registered food businesses. Eight outbreaks among the 44 English restaurants in the Top 50 were identified by direct contact with local Health Protection Teams. For every ten places higher ranked, Top 50 restaurants were 66% more likely to have an outbreak (Odds Ratio 1.66, 95% CI 0.89-3.13). DISCUSSION: Top 50 restaurants were substantially more likely to have had reported outbreaks from 2000-2014 than other food premises, and there was a trend for higher rating position to be associated with higher probability of reported outbreaks. Our findings, that eating at some of these restaurants may pose an increased risk to health compared to other dining out, raises the question of whether food guides should consider aspects of food safety alongside the clearly important complementary focus on taste and other aspects of the dining experience.

Accurate determination of genetic identity for a single cacao bean, using molecular markers with a nanofluidic system, ensures cocoa authentication.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), the source of cocoa, is an economically important tropical crop. One problem with the premium cacao market is contamination with off-types adulterating raw premium material. Accurate determination of the genetic identity of single cacao beans is essential for ensuring cocoa authentication. Using nanofluidic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping with 48 SNP markers, we generated SNP fingerprints for small quantities of DNA extracted from the seed coat of single cacao beans. On the basis of the SNP profiles, we identified an assumed adulterant variety, which was unambiguously distinguished from the authentic beans by multilocus matching. Assignment tests based on both Bayesian clustering analysis and allele frequency clearly separated all 30 authentic samples from the non-authentic samples. Distance-based principle coordinate analysis further supported these results. The nanofluidic SNP protocol, together with forensic statistical tools, is sufficiently robust to establish authentication and to verify gourmet cacao varieties. This method shows significant potential for practical application.