Our weekly serving of off-the-menu items – a few popular favorites from the week, as well as a few morsels that may have slipped your notice.
Farming with Augmented Reality
Although augmented reality has already entered the sphere of entertainment, tech companies are beginning to realize its potential for more than just Snapchat filters and videogames. Startup Plant Vision is using AR to collect and visualize data for crops; their system will allow farmers to optimize their crop production, and Plant Vision predicts that their datasets will be worth billions.
How WhatsApp Transformed the Way India Talks About Food
Messaging app WhatsApp is providing a platform for food communities in India to share and learn from one another. Farmers can use the app to share information about their crops and growing conditions, while chefs and food lovers have created groups for recipe sharing.
Architectural studio Grimshaw has designed an ecological resort on the coast of Lancashire, UK. The resort will include six mussel shaped pavilions, each of which serves as a greenhouse, containing different marine environments.
Chokkino Might Be the New Coffee
Startup Live Better is introducing an alternative to coffee—Chokkino. This cocoa-based drink has more antioxidants than red wine or goji berries, and it’s also high in fiber and protein. Live Better plans on using the nutritional benefits of Chokkino to market the beverage as a healthier option than coffee.
An Artistic Exploration of Food
Artist duo Liz Hernández and Ryan Whelan’s latest project, Provisions, is a painting exhibition that highlights their perspective on the experience of food. The project explores all aspects of eating, from unexamined ingredients to the transformative power that food can have.
