MycoWorks’ Post

I have come late to the appreciation of blended sake - for a long time I couldn't really see the point (probably because sake can be delicious just as the toji brewed it). Blending drinks seems more of a western beverage concept, and I worried that the traditional virtues of sake might be overlooked in favour of the latest smart blend. But last year I was lucky enough to witness Dirk van der Niepoort work magic with François Chartier's selection of beautiful sakes. It was a highly thought-provoking experience, and ultimately it convinced me that blended sake has its own (very special) place. You would probably agree that a person who can blend a fine drink must have the mind and palate of a world-class chef. And yet, food is somehow easier: the ingredients have straightforward flavours, and are fresh, or preserved in a particular condition. Drinks such as sake, wine or whisky are complex, however, and are constantly evolving and changing. As I watched Dirk working through the samples, I realised that blending a drink is a much more imaginative process: not so much an art as a feat of intuition. Most importantly, the blend that Dirk created was clearly different from the original sakes, and it was delicious. I still love sake as the toji brewed it, but I am no longer a blended sake sceptic! And this is the sake that convinced me! #niepoort #sake

What is balsamic without vinegar? Here is a quick infographic on how Acetaia San Giacomo is creating their products. Want to really geek out on the process and history? Watch this video Andrea has on Balsamic here: https://bit.ly/4buuAei You'll have a new perspective on the product and process.

I am sharing Daniel Scott ‘s post in case you missed the podcast. Well worth a watch. However I must say that while such star-studded podcasts are important what is lacking in the LGD industry is a framework to pursue ideas and solutions that are proposed in such discussions. For me I was very excited about the perspective that LGD is only the paint from which great art can be created. This came through loud and clear in the DMCC symposium last year in Dubai but there was no follow up. Of course such initiatives may evolve organically but it would accelerate the pace of innovation if some collective efforts are made. No effort has been made to agree even what to call LGD on a global basis. So much energy is wasted arguing about lab grown real or fake or synthetic. Let’s sit down and hammer it out. Ask the FTC to clarify its 2018 ruling. We don’t need a for profit GDTO. We need to revitalise IGDA with a new board to serve LGD stakeholders. Talk is talk. Let’s execute. LGD stakeholders need to unite for the greater good.

Today’s CoffeeTalk ☕️ brings us to the heartland of rich & strong coffee: Beautiful Italy 🇮🇹 To be exact we go to the green hills in the province of Vicenca close to the picturesque village of Bassano del Grappa. There, Sergio Paolin and his team passionately create beautiful paper 📄 and stationary 🖊️ products from environmentally responsible materials. For more than 35 years now, Arbos S.r.l. - which is the Latin word for tree - expresses what makes “Made in Italy” quality unique: creativity, design, the know-how of craftsmanship, art and historical & landscape heritage. We asked Sergio, what his biggest challenges are, and he answered with his innate entrepreneurial mindset: The history of Arbos is all about challenges. This is what drives us forward. Accepting and mastering challenges is in our nature! The people at Arbos have a strong sense to combine aesthetics with natural and recycled raw materials. Creative experimentation is in their DNA. The philosophy is to have a place for creative people where economy, culture, design and manufacturing mingle and flourish, much similar as the school- workshops founded in Northern Italy around five hundred years ago, setting the foundation of the high cultural period of the Renaissance, which still shapes our civilization today. Read the coffee talk here: https://lnkd.in/e7JjbcHz #materials #innovation #circular #circulareconomy #natural #nature #naturalmaterials #circularmaterials #biomaterials #plasticfree #bio #plasticfree #circularliving #diymaterials

Annovi Reverberi: where heritage paves the way for innovation. At the heart of Annovi Reverberi lies a unique blend of tradition and innovation. As manufacturers, our roots are deeply embedded in the craftsmanship of our products. Every piece we create carries the legacy of our rich history and heritage. Yet, we're not just bound by tradition. We recognize the dynamic international environment in which we operate. Embracing this, we've integrated advanced production technology and design processes, ensuring that while our foundation is traditional, our approach is forward-looking and innovative. This balance between our storied past and our commitment to the future is what sets Annovi Reverberi apart. It's a testament to our belief that while traditions ground us, innovation propels us forward. #AnnoviReverberi #Values

European Roaster Friends: there is only one more week to express your interest in attending the "Strategy Workshop for Specialty Roasters" that Caravela Coffee is hosting in Copenhagen, one day before #WorldofCoffee begins. Please take us up on this opportunity to tease out new (or improved) ideas with YOUR team on OUR dime. Space is limited and only a few spots remain. We're making this investment because we know what it means to pour into our partners. More than a decade ago, we launched our producer education program, PECA, to provide technical support to the producers from whom we source the coffees you love. That support comes at no cost to the producers nor are there obligations to sell us their coffees. The return on investment (ROI) is a prosperous relationship that improves over time. We know that this works at Origin and we are convinced that it will work at Destination; but only if you're willing to join us. Here are 3 great reasons to join us on Wednesday, 26 June: 1. Strategy and Innovation Professor and Author Vaughn Tan is facilitating 2. The event will be held at Admiralgade 26: https://lnkd.in/e2M6zugR 3. This is a "no-sell" zone for Caravela We hope that you'll think of this strategy session as an organizational self-care commitment before entering #WorldofCoffee. Here are the 3 steps we invite you to take: 1. Express your interest: https://lnkd.in/e5PD4wHu 2. Arrive to Copenhagen in time to meet us at 1pm on Wednesday, 26 June 3. Commit to the process and prepare to have some fun with your team If you have any questions, please drop me a line. We hope to see you there! Seriously. We do!

Discover the Magic of Neolea's Balsamic Vinegars! 🍇 Ever wondered what makes Neolea’s white and dark balsamic vinegar stand out? 🌟 Let Bart take you through the essentials in just 36 seconds in the video below! Interested to dive deeper? Here are 3 key insights you won't want to miss about our balsamics: https://lnkd.in/eN-vNKRp

Perfumery´s Natural Ingredients silent revolution. Insightful and broad perspective. Interesting interview by Google Talks by Dominique Roques, author of "In Search of Perfumes", on why consumers want to know where the natural ingredients of their perfume come from and why it is now possible and important to do so. Video interview by Kaavya Kasturirangan. https://lnkd.in/dBgJ5vvP WikiParfum also features an interview this month (Spanish edition sorry) by Mario Cadafalch Garcia´s team https://lnkd.in/dsb5sySr Vasava, Camille Latron, Funnel Cracks, #scentexperience #naturalperfumeingredients #perfumeculture

Have you ever heard the term "Pecha Kucha"?  A Pecha Kucha is an entertaining storytelling format, in which 20 images/slides are shown for 20 seconds each. I took up the challenge and put such a presentation online, it's linked below. But here is the big one: Take the chance to go on stage in Antwerp during PSConfEU. EVERYBODY has the opportunity to give a presentation in this style. Just ping me (or any other organizer), if you are interested. Give yourself a push - Who wouldn't want to be a speaker at this conference! By the way: we call it "PoShaKucha" - as a kind of fusion! https://lnkd.in/eDQhMw3X