Skip to main content

The beneficial bacteria that make delicious food - Erez Garty

1,703,721 Views

36,175 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Where does bread get its fluffiness? Swiss cheese its holes? And what makes vinegar so sour? These foods may taste completely different, but all of these phenomena come from microorganisms chowing down on sugar and belching up some culinary byproducts. Erez Garty shows how your kitchen functions as a sort of biotechnology lab, manned by microorganisms that culture your cuisine.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Biotechnology is going on in millions of kitchens around the world. Amazing isn't it? Visit this site to find out more. Now, watch this TEDxDublin Talk: Bringing Biotechnology into the home by Cathal Garvey.

What exactly is going on with these bacteria that have been used to create at least some sort food in your life? The answer is cellular respiration. Watch this video from Bozeman Science to learn more about both aerobic and anaerobic respiration which play key roles in the biotechnology going on in the food in your kitchen!

Interested in the function of bacteria in the production of wine and beer? Visit this link to find out the science behind fermentation. Visit Khan Academy and watch: Alcohol Fermentation which includes information about yeast and its role in making both bread and wine.

Love cheese and want to see more about how different kinds are made? Watch: How is cheese made? From Naked Science Scrapbook. What is cheese without a little bread to go with it? Check out the History of Bread to find out a little more about yeast's role in certain breads. Then, just to be sure you understand the science of bread, watch, "How Does Bread Rise?"

Next Section »

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Erez Garty
  • Director Stuart Simpson
  • Artist Lauren Ellis
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Actions and Reactions