For the first time, Martian ketchup was obtained from tomatoes on the soil-imitation of the red planet – photo
Kraft Heinz introduces the first ever ketchup made in a Martian environment, the Marz Space Ketchup Limited Edition. Together with a team of astrobiologists from the Aldrin Space Institute, the company has grown tomatoes in soil that is as close as possible to the composition of Martian soil.
The goal of the project was not only to strive to produce high-quality tomatoes for a unique line of ketchup, but also to find new ways to grow them on Earth and beyond – so that travelers of the future could enjoy their favorite taste of Heinz ketchup both at home and while exploring new planets.
A greenhouse “Red House” was built for the experiment. It simulated the conditions that people will face when growing crops on Mars, from the characteristics of lighting and temperature to the type of soil. As a result, several thousand tomatoes were grown, from which a batch of Marz ketchup was created. The first bottle of the new ketchup went into space beyond the Earth’s atmosphere: it traveled at an altitude of 37,000 meters at a temperature of -70 ° C and returned to Earth.
The first ever experiment on the production of “Martian” tomatoes lasted 2 years. It was attended by specialists from Kraft Heinz – experts in the analysis of difficult soil and climatic conditions, the selection of seeds and the introduction of advanced technologies for the development of crops – and leading scientists from the Aldrin Space Institute at the Florida Institute of Technology.
“We are very proud that we were able to recreate the taste of our favorite ketchup even in such non-standard conditions and tell the whole world about the results of our experiment. This project showed that Heinz tomato ketchup will be in demand even outside the Earth, and we all have a delicious future, ”said Hector Osorno, tomato grower at Kraft Heinz.
“First, we analyzed the soil of Mars, then we selected four types of seeds for growing tomatoes – and two of them fit perfectly. As a result, we managed to reap a large harvest and create space ketchup, – said Christina Kenz, director of international business development at Kraft Heinz, – We have been cooperating with the Aldrin Space Institute for over 100 years. During this time, we managed to work with the best scientists and strengthen our expertise in growing crops on the soil of another planet, as well as learn more about ours. In addition, this experiment will help to find a solution to one of the global problems – land degradation ”.
A team of scientists from the Aldrin Space Institute, led by Dr. Andrew Palmer, published an article detailing the course of the experiment. First, the researchers tested the seeds in a “red” greenhouse to see if the Martian soil is suitable for crop production. And, as soon as suitable types of seedlings were found, tomatoes were planted. The experiment became one of the largest “Martian” projects, during which scientists have created a unique greenhouse to simulate the conditions of the red planet.
“Most of the research that has been done to find ways to grow seedlings on the red planet has been short-term. Now, for the first time, we have explored the possibilities of growing horticultural crops on Mars for a long time. This is the uniqueness of the project. We have achieved incredible results: the highest quality tomato harvest from which the legendary Heinz ketchup was produced, ”commented Andrew Palmer.
Heinz ketchup is popular not only on Earth. After being tested by nutritional scientists in 1999, NASA approved tomato ketchup for use aboard the International Space Station, and astronauts have enjoyed this taste outside of our planet for many years. One of the fans of ketchup is Mike Massimino – a former NASA astronaut, professor of mechanical engineering, who has two space flights and four spacewalks behind him, the first person to write on the Twitter microblog during the flight. “In space, we have a saying: it’s not about food, it’s about sauce. In zero gravity conditions, the taste sensations sometimes change – many products begin to seem bland. Therefore, astronauts love all kinds of spices, and my love for Heinz ketchup began in space, ”said Mike.
