We covered miracle fruit here 14 months before the Times did, and were excited to find out that next week, ethnobotanist Nat Bletter will be talking about (and providing samples of) miracle fruit at the monthly meeting of the Experimental Cuisine Collective. The group fashions science as a focal point for their ongoing conversations about food and cooking. Past topics at the free monthly workshops have included ice cream that stretches like rubber and the sense umami. Along with miracle fruit next week, Bletter will also demonstrate the effects of two other taste-altering plants—the enigmatically named sugar destroyer and toothache plant. Perhaps the next annus mirabilis belongs to one of these little guys. more ›

Last night, Savoy chef and local foods champion Peter Hoffman gave a presentation at the Museum of Natural History on the role of water in sustainable farming, in conjunction with the ongoing Water: H2O = Life exhibit (now through May 25). We missed it too, but found some similar upcoming events. Call it the Mr. Wizard meets Escoffier edition- these food happenings deal with the intersections of ingredients, science, and art. more ›