Tasty Tomatoes and Affordable Vineyards
Have you ever wondered why store-bought tomatoes never taste as good as ones grown from the garden or at the farmer’s market? Scientist’s have discovered that 93 percent of modern, domesticated tomato varieties are actually missing the gene that gives tomatoes their flavor.
A study of genomic information of 725 wild and domestic tomatoes was compared to the domestic tomato Heinz 1706. A side by side comparison showed that the Heinz 1706 was missing close to 5,000 genomes that the others had. Besides making the tomato tastier, these genomes also allowed the tomatoes to defend themselves against pathogens better.
The tomato lost these genes via selective breeding from farmers, and not from genetic modifications. Luckily the gene is making a comeback, what used to be found only in 2 percent of tomatoes in now found in 7 and will hopefully rise to greater heights.
All I can think about is how much better my Pomodoro sauce is going to be in a couple of years when scientists and farmers figure this out. Also what other fruit and vegetables are nowhere close to their potential because of selective breeding? I’m sure 99 percent of apples don’t taste as good as their supposed to, and there are probably some bananas with more banana-y flavors or a carrot that only tastes like a carrot.
How do you make a small fortune in Napa? Start with a large fortune and buy a vineyard!
Napa has become so expensive that a winemaking husband and wife who wanted to start making wine in Napa, the place that they called home. Steve Lawrence and Diana Lucz have worked in the wine business for decades, were both making high salaries, had impressive resumes, but simply could not afford anything in Napa.
Most Napa Vineyards up for sale are being bought by large corporations or the top of the 1%. Even small vineyards can start at $7 million. Steve and Diana bought an entire Chateau in Bordeaux for under $500,000 instead
They now own a 7 acres Chateau with 5 acres of grapevines and are able to sell their own wine back home in California for an incredibly affordable price. Their bottles of Chateaux La Corne retail for $16.95
Trolling The Internet with Food Headlines
Eater’s Greg Morabito put together a list of “25 Blistering Food Takes to Set The Internet on Fire” most of these are very funny. Tom and I go through all 25 and do our best to agree, disagree, or give our take on it. My personal favorite was “Why I Only Tip The Chef Directly” I couldn’t even give a response and began laughing hysterically. Check out the article here, and let us know your craziest takes the set the internet on fire
Coffee Coffee Coffee with Chris Saphire
Fresh off the heels of his Second Place Victory for Best Cold Brew in the USA, my favorite Barista in the world Chris Saphire stopped by the studio to talk to us about all things coffee. Tune in to the segment and learn all about 3rd Wave Coffee, Flat Whites, Sourcing and Roasting Beans, and anything else you can possibly think of. Chris teaches us so much in a short period of time its really incredible and definitely a must listen.
What We’re Drinking
Mike’s Drink: Old Pal
Tom said I did this one already. I probably did. I really wanted one last weekend so I stopped by a random bar, saw that they didn’t have Campari so I left. This drink is essentially a Dry Vermouth Boulevardier
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Campari
1 oz Dry Vermouth
Stir over ice, strain and pour over rocks
Garnish with Orange Peel
Chris’ Drink: Ginger Old Fashion
2 oz bourbon
1 oz Ginger Syrup(Just Ginger and Water)
Orange Peel
Muddle the Ginger and orange peel, add bourbon
Chris makes his own ginger syrup with no sugar and just drinks it with bourbon. Fresh and delicious
Tom’s Drink: N/A
We ran out of time this week and Tom didn’t get to give one
