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[capebretonbarbarian]

Got Kimchi?

Courtesy of Suncheon web, but not sure where the article originally came from.


Kimchi in Space: Food Makers Prepare Astronaut's Menu
 

Korean food manufactures are competing to whip up space-edible foods for Ko San, Korea's first astronaut who will lift off in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in April.
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is working on kimchi with domestic food maker CJ and instant noodles with Nongshim. The Korean Food Research Institute is also developing space-safe fried kimchi, hot pepper paste and soy bean paste, rice, red ginseng and green tea with Daesang and Ottogi.

Russia will evaluate the safety and storability of the foods. If they pass the tests, traditional Korean food will be served to the astronauts on the spacecraft.

As the food makers race to create their space-friendly edibles, there are mixed opinions about the best way to sterilize it. Food makers working with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute argue that freeze-dried foods don't taste good. But those working with the Korean Food Research Institute insist that consumers don't like irradiated foods.

However, there is a common view that developing space food will lead to enhancing the technological competitiveness of the Korean food industry. Currently researchers are developing space-edible hot pepper paste in tubes and soy bean paste in the form of instant soup. Preparing these foods is costly, so it remains to be seen whether the space-safe foods will be made available to consumers.

[Samuel]

That's funny. But one can't just open up a window to get rid of the smell. It can't be any worse than the Russians and their goulash, though. Mmmm. Kimchi in space. Will he use chopsticks?

[Brian]

Google is your friend: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200710/200710250012.html 

Sadly, I don't see any ice cream in that picture.  Astronaut ice cream is awesome. 

[AlexMokpo]

HAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"We can't POSSIBLY survive without our tradional foods, much less without KIMCHI!"  Says Ko San, standing alsong side researchers from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.
"This is by far the most practical and time/money-payoff idea we've ever come up with.  Moreover, it will help prevent cancer and leave a robust fresh smell on board an unventalated space ship!" 

[Brian]

You know, Alex, I went back and checked the link just to make sure nobody actually said that.  Weird that it isn't obvious. 

Anyway, here is another gem from the Chosun Ilbo:

The major task for Korea’s first astronaut is scientific experiments at the International Space Station. Ko will conduct 18 experiments for education and basic research. One example is observing how bean sprouts grow in space. Space travel is a good opportunity to promote Korea’s scientific status in the world.

Samsung will sponsor the electronics needed to conduct experiments. Astronauts take pictures of space experiments with a digital camera sponsored by Samsung, and the company’s semiconductors will be used in operational experiments in the space environment.

Ko will also conduct experiments with kimchi, the signature Korean side dish. Due to the ongoing fermentation of the cabbage and development of carbon dioxide, kimchi containers would explode in zero gravity. One experiment is to try and kill the fermenting micro-organisms with radiation to prevent that.

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200709/200709060026.html

[Samuel]

"and leave a robust fresh smell"

Ha ha ha ha ha

[AlexMokpo]

hahhaha, glad my spoof was so appreciated   They DO always tell me that Kimchi has a "fresh" taste...as though that were a defining flavour-word (salty, sweet, bitter, etc...I know there's a term for this, but can't think of it off hand) and I would instantly just recognize "oh yes!  Kimchi DOES taste fresh!"  (despite the irony that it's actually the opposite)

The Bean sprouts thing made me laugh so hard, Smee.