Acetobacter bacteria are a group of acetic acid bacteria species integral to natural processes such as turning wine to vinegar. Their...

Bacteria are responsible for millions of vital processes hidden from our everyday perception. These single-celled organisms are essential...

In microbiology the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris can be a gift from nature or a scourge of plants. Tiny but mighty, these...

Spices come from distant lands along ancient trade routes. These commodities bring flavor to food, health and beauty to consumers and...

Xanthan Gum, a versatile ingredient with various applications, is a growing trend in multiple industries. In art and food it's valued as...

Fermentation and rot are natural processes. While they may seem synonymous, a closer look reveals the differences between the two....

Women have a significant role in brewing through history. Before brewing is industrialized, it's a domestic activity seen as providing...

Mother of vinegar ( Mycoderma aceti ), is a fascinating compound of life, with a range of health benefits and versatile uses. The Mother...

Vinegar eels ( Turbovecula aceti ) are a vital link in the complexity of microscopic life forms. These tiny creatures are only 1-2 mm...

Fermentation is used intentionally by c. 8000 BCE to create honey mead , a blend of fermented honey and water. Yeast is crucial to...

Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages. A clear, colorless liquid, it has a chemical formula of...

Tartrate crystals appear on the bottom of a wine glass or in a bottle of grape juice, created by a reaction of tartaric acid. Reference...

Red and white tartar are ingredients used by ancients and yet today. Alchemists have great interest in salts, waters, spirits and...

Preparation of a Golden Spirit of Wine, a medicinal potion, is a recipe from the writings of Dutch-German alchemist Johann Glauber . He's...

The mortar and pestle as a unit is about 35,000 years old. With many varieties available today it's important to choose the best mortar...

Ardent Spirits in alchemy are liquors obtained after repeated distillations from fermented fruit and vegetables. They are thus called...

Acetic acid is a compound with many uses. With chemical formula CH₃COOH, this colorless liquid has a sharp pungent smell and sour taste....

Artists and craftspeople have used plant pigments as a source of color for millennia. Works of art and textile dyes using vegetable...

Steam distillation develops from simple and fractional distillation techniques, and is first known to be documented among the Islamic...

Fractional distillation is a technique to separate components of a mixture based on their various boiling points. In this process, a...