The Juicy Bits
Happy belated Halloween DTN readers!
From ocean to table, seaweed is making its way to more restaurant menus around the U.S than ever and chefs are showcasing the ingredient’s incredible versatility. I mean, seaweed and cacio e pepe sounds dangerously delicious. Meanwhile, food trucks are facing some of the same issues as restaurants (especially rising food and labor costs), despite having lower start up costs than brick-and-mortar places, and IBIS reported a decline in the industry’s projected growth for 2025. Maybe it's time to start incorporating low-cost seaweed into food truck menus? And if you want to get the most alcoholic bang for your buck in a beer, look no further. Boston Beer just released a whopping 30% ABV beer that is illegal to sell in 15 states. Be sure to check your location before giving it a try—this beer might just get you locked up. And over in the agriculture sector, bird flu is making headlines yet again as it continues to wreak havoc on our livestock, this time traveling to cattle, causing researchers to discover the virus in some raw milks and cheeses. Raw milk influencers beware: it might not be worth the Instagram clout. Finally—and you knew this was coming—the current government shutdown (the longest in U.S. history) has put a massive strain on SNAP benefits and food assistance programs. As a results, a dozen U.S. states have sued the Trump administration for halting funds in an attempt to provide for the needs of their local constituents.
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Restaurants
Three New Michelin Stars Awarded In Texas
Image Source: Nicōsi / Michelin Guide
Michelin unveiled awards and recognition to Texas restaurants for the second time ever last week in Houston. Three new stars were awarded to Mamani in Dallas, and to both Nicōsi and Isidore in San Antonio. While the guide covered most major cities in Texas, the less populated town of Spring, north of Houston, was put on the map this year after a star was awarded to acclaimed barbecue joint, Corkscrew BBQ. More than 15 restaurants across Texas were granted stars. The full list is available below. More regions in the U.S. will be awarded over the next couple of months, so stay on the lookout!
Beverages
Amid Shortages, Matcha Counterfeits Proliferate—Here's How To Tell The Difference
Image Source: Alice Pasqual
As demand for matcha steadily increases and climate change reduces crop supplies, matcha producers are struggling to keep up. Family-run farms in Japan supply the most authentic matcha in the world, with the highest quality product coming out of regions with ideal growing climates like Nishio, Uji and Kagoshima. These farms are running low on supplies, and rather than waiting for the good stuff to come back around, western brands have been counterfeiting the product with low-grade powders and additives. It's harming the reputations of multiple top-shelf matcha brands and turning away potential fans of the beverage who have been duped by cheap knockoffs. Luckily, spotting the difference between high and low quality matcha is possible. As this article shows, it all comes down to taste, smell, and color.
Agriculture
Herbicide Atrazine Could Be Re-Approved, Despite Known Health Risks And Environmental Impacts
Image Source: Getty Images / Civil Eats
Atrazine is one of the most common herbicides used in American agriculture, with cornfields being the most popular application. U.S. farmers sprayed over 70 million pounds of the chemical in 2019 alone. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly found the common herbicide to be harmful to wildlife through multiple assessments dating back to 2016, yet the current administration has pushed for its re-approval. Studies have revealed the chemical's potential to further threaten endangered species as well as cause birth defects and reproductive issues in humans. This past month, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) put out an evaluation dismissing these potential risks, and food safety experts question the FWS's assessment.
Regulations
Judges Order Trump Administration To Continue Funding SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
Image Source: Getty Images / BBC
Earlier this month, the Trump Administration warned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be revoked during the current government shutdown. The program provides low-income Americans with a monthly loaded debit card earmarked for groceries and food products. Approximately 42 million U.S. citizens rely on the program to get by. This past week, U.S. judges determined the removal of these funds to be unlawful in two different rulings. Dozens of U.S. states have already sued the administration and are likely to win their cases, according to Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. "Congress intended the funding of SNAP benefits, at a reduced rate if necessary, when appropriated funds prove insufficient," she says.
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Science
Canadian Food Scientists Examine Plant-Based Potential In Oil Extrusion Byproducts
Image Source: allybally4b / Pixabay
Demand for plant-based proteins has pushed researchers to look into using oilseed cakes and meals for food products. A group of Canadian researchers from the University of Manitoba recently published a study showing how oilseed-based protein extrusions can be used in food production. The study highlights common plant based protein sources like flaxseeds, peanuts, and soybeans, as well as less explored sources like hemp. The oil-based byproducts of these foods hold valuable nutrients that could be used in cooking oils and plant-based ingredients.
In Memoriam
NYC Restaurant Legend Shelly Fireman Dies At 93
Image Source: Fiorello Cafe / Facebook
This month we mourn the loss of the legendary life-long restaurant mogul, Sheldon (Shelly) Fireman, who passed away this October at 93 years old after suffering a stroke. The restaurateur, sculptor, and designer left an extensive legacy behind. Fireman opened and operated multiple highly successful restaurant concepts in NYC such as Trattoria Dell’Arte and Brooklyn Diner. His company, Fireman Hospitality Group, employs hundreds annually and has locations in Washington D.C. as well. Fireman opened his very first restaurant, The Hip Bagel, in Greenwich Village in 1963. He continued debuting new restaurant concepts like Le Jardin and Paris Bar, which just opened this year, well into his later years, making him a life-long player in the restaurant industry.
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