Photo credit: Hubertl

Tristan Kubik (Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Graduate Program)

“Fermented fantasia: a leavenly evening sure to spoil you rotten!”

Planet Earth is infested with germs. They coat everything from the surface of our skin to the machines we use, and yes, even the food we eat. Some of these germs can make us sick, some disgust us with their putrid byproducts, while still others poison the very air we breathe. But hiding amidst these tales of illness and foul decomposition is a love story of epic proportions. Amidst the fray of villainous viruses, bad bacteria, and insidious fungi are a few unsung heroes and gifted culinary artisans. What happens when animals break bread with these good microorganisms? What possibilities are unlocked when two unlikely allies team up and turn terrible into terribly wonderful. Together we’ll embark on an unexpectedly delicious adventure. Join me for a leavenly evening as I relate one of the world’s lesser-known love stories, a tale of deliberate food spoilage we affectionately refer to as fermentation!

Q&A will follow the talk.

This event is held outside, so please dress for the weather and bring a chair or blankets to sit on. Talk will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather.

Neighborhood Science, an offshoot of Science Under the Stars, presents family-friendly talks at Austin Public Library branches across Austin.