Glow-in-the-Dark Sushi: Bioluminescent Kitchen

The bioluminescent kitchen

Chapter 1

The science of the glow

Chapter 2

Plating the light

Chapter 3

The future of glowing dining

Ch 2 · Plating the light

Glossary

quinine (noun)
A bitter, natural compound found in cinchona bark that absorbs invisible ultraviolet light and transforms it into a brilliant, glowing blue. In the bioluminescent kitchen, chefs use it to plate dazzling, glowing desserts and drinks that light up under a blacklight.

In 2014, chefs in London and Tokyo first used natural proteins to make sushi glow.

streetspirit A chef brushes a glowing blue marine glaze onto fresh sushi.

Fun Fact

Glowing pH tonics: Pouring acidic citrus into this bioluminescent marine protein drink changes its color and glow intensity, 'plating the light' in your glass without altering the flavor.

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streetspirit Plating the Light

An ocean-born protein that glows in the dark, We plate up the light with a brilliant blue spark.

streetspirit The pH-changing tonic

The challenge of heat

streetspirit Heat can destroy the delicate proteins responsible for bioluminescence.

Fun Fact

Glowing ice cream: In 2013, inventor Charlie Francis created a glowing ice cream using synthesized jellyfish protein that lit up when licked.

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Shimmering cocktails

streetspirit Bartenders use kinetic energy to activate microalgae in liquid drinks.

Glossary

plating (noun)
The arrangement and presentation of food on a plate for serving. In 2017, Spanish chef Ángel León began presenting glowing marine plankton on dishes at his restaurant, Aponiente.

Quiz

What type of light is essential to make GFP-infused sushi visible to diners?

Gossip

Would you try glowing sushi?

Lumi Bites

BETA

streetspirit Swipe marine proteins into recipes to discover how microalgae make food glow without altering flavor.

streetspirit Glow-in-the-dark sushi

Quiz

At what temperature Celsius do most bioluminescent proteins begin to lose their structure?

streetspirit Shimmering cocktails

Quiz

What did inventor Charlie Francis use in 2013 to make ice cream glow when licked?

streetspirit The challenge of heat

Quiz

How does adding acidic lime juice affect a quinine-based glowing drink?

Quiz

In which cities were some of the first experimental 'glowing sushi' dinners hosted in 2014?

Quiz

What physical action triggers the bioluminescent glow of microalgae in a cocktail?