I’m Bill Tsutsui with another Postcard from Asia from the Center for East Asian Studies.
In space, no one can hear you scream…but did you know that in space no one can detect your smell either? The smell-taste connection means that food in space is not only weightless but tasteless, too. What’s a flavor-starved astronaut to do? Never fear: kimchi is here. Ever since Korea decided to put a Korean national into orbit, the race to produce a space-friendly version of Korea’s unofficial national food heated up. The picante pickled cabbage is a great choice for space food: It attacks cholesterol and it is super spicy which means it can overcome the smell-taste dilemma. So soon astronauts from all over the world will be able to enjoy the zesty, chili-packed punch of kimchi at zero g.
With thanks to Jaimie Oborny for this text, from the Center for East Asian Studies, I’m Bill Tsutsui. Wish you were here.
