Lichen food is at the heart of the 'Unseen Edible' project by Julia Schwarz who recently graduated from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Lichen is a symbiosis between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria. The species is found growing on vegetation, tree bark and rocks.
The benefits of the multi-organism extend to the fact that it can grow in harsh climates and is fairly nutritious, potentially providing sustenance for humans through onsets of food shortage, an apocalypse or even on Mars. Julia Schwarz debuts the lichen food — from pasta and pesto to butter and bread, at Vienna Design Week, where individuals had the opportunity to taste the innovative meals. With 20,000 species and a growth on about six percent of the Earth, lichen food might prove a worthwhile investment.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Lichen Food
- Harnessing the nutritional potential of lichen for sustainable and alternative food sources.
- Food Innovation
- Exploring unconventional ingredients and methods to create nutritious and sustainable meals.
- Apocalypse Food
- Developing food options that can sustain humans during food shortages or catastrophic events.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Food and Beverage
- Exploring new ingredients and methods to create innovative food products.
- Agriculture
- Investigating the cultivation and sustainable production of lichen for food purposes.
- Design
- Creating functional and aesthetically pleasing food products that incorporate lichen as a key ingredient.
