Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Palatable Packaging: Scientists Developing Edible, Eco-Friendly Wrappers

ediblewrapper.jpg
Photo courtesy of NOVA

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

An interesting report came over the airwaves today via PRI's "The World." Apparently, David Edwards, an inventor and engineer from Harvard University is developing edible, biodegradable packaging for things like yogurt, cheeses, and liquids.

Though Edwards refuses to divulge the secret to his edible containers, he does admit that they are flavored with natural juices and are made solid with algae. Sounds like it might have something in common with sodium aliginate, the bath that is known to spherify liquids in modernist cooking, suspending them inside very thin, fragile edible skins. Edwards wrappers are more sturdy, and recently passed taste tests in his Paris test kitchen.

CoolHaus has managed to tackle edible ice cream sandwich wrappers, and this would be the next step in fully waste-free packaging.

You can listen to the full report on Edwards' research below.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today