22 Jan 2015 WikiPearls: A Time Magazine ‘best invention of 2014’
WikiPearls, a future food packaging concept, have been around for a few years now and have deservedly garnered much media coverage and innovation awards. The latest is a citation by Time Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2014.
WikiPearls are edible food wrappers invented by Harvard University professor David Edwards, founder of Quantum Designs and ArtScience Labs. No stranger to food and eating innovation, Edwards is also the inventor of AeroShot and Le Whaf, both of which use aerosol systems to deliver what the company describes as “small quantities of nutrition, flavours and medications via the air to provide potent health and human performance benefits.”
WikiPearls are fascinating, notes The Hartman Group, in terms of the potential resonance with consumers who we know are interested in “real” food solutions in their daily lives: This would include an interest in minimal or “no packaging” or at least packaging closer to natural forms.
As described by Time Magazine:
“‘Edible wrapper’ sounds like an oxymoron—unless you’re WikiFoods founder David Edwards, who has devised a way to encase yogurt, cheese, ice cream and more in shells strong enough to hold their shape (in water, heat and cold) until you take your first bite.
The secret lies in science: Each shell is made of particles of dried fruit or other natural substances that are tiny enough to be electrically attracted to one another; they are combined with calcium and sugar to strengthen the form.
Though the frozen-yogurt Pearls—the first WikiFoods product to reach mainstream stores, thanks to deals with Stonyfield and Whole Foods—are still packaged in biodegradable bags of two, Edwards’ ultimate goal is to sell them à la carte, like apples or peanuts, in an effort to reduce the world’s packaging waste.”
For those interested in exploring the outer edges of new food and eating delivery systems, a trip to Quantum Design’s beautiful website is well worth it.
Here’s how they describe WikiPearls: “Inspired by nature, WikiFoods technology wraps a vast range of foods and beverages in plastic-free and edible packages made of natural ingredients. Like the skins of grapes, WikiFood envelopes are not just barriers against water loss and contaminant entry, they are also delicious and potential carriers of nutrition, and may deliver unique nutrients just like the skin of a fruit.”
Not to be outdone by narratives about WikiPearls, Le Whaf is described as “a beautiful carafe that generates a cloud of intense flavour from almost any liquid. A poetic way to experience your favourite beverage.”
And then there’s the WA|HH, developed with designer Philippe Starck, a small spray device that delivers “Mind Perfumes,” inebriation-free quantum quantities of alcohol.
As far as translating inventions into products for sale, according to the company’s website, “WikiPearls are sold in Whole Foods Markets all across New England in proud partnership with Stonyfield,” while AeroShot products are available in convenience stores and drugstores.
Source: The Hartman Group Scribe blog; Time Magazine; Quantum Designs