NPR goes into the science behind why we like white bread over whole wheat, and it gets all scientific-answery about it.

Of acids and Maillard…

A joint UK/US collaboration is offering $12 million dollars to scientists who can come up with an alternative to current nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.

We desperately need this. As world populations grow at a greater rate every year, and farming grows in an attempt to match it, agriculture becomes a greater threat to the environment. Fertilizers, pesticides and other products grow in concentration and ultimately make their way to the consumer.

Without an alternative, we stand to make our food poisonous to the planet, and eventually us.

Who knew?

Gina Kolata for the New York Times on Tomatoes:

Yes, they are often picked green and shipped long distances. Often they are refrigerated, which destroys their flavor and texture. But now researchers have discovered a genetic reason that diminishes a tomato’s flavor even if the fruit is picked ripe and coddled.

Keep them from quickly spoiling by using science.