Food
Halloween - What do you know?
With Halloween upon us, Teagasc Daily asks the question: What do you know about pumpkins, bats and turnips? On Oíche Shamhna (Halloween night) long before pumpkin carving, the humble turnip was traditionally carved out. And hear what Éanna Ní Lamhna has to say on bats on the Environment Edge podcast
31 October 2021
Commuting before the pandemic
As some of us return to the work and college after 18 months of working from home, the September Map of the Month looks at pre-pandemic commuting patterns – highlighting how important regional towns are. It is interesting to think how the next survey of commuting will differ.
01 October 2021
The dark mysteries of the soil beneath our feet
Soil is a complex matrix and its chemical composition often depends on the location in the landscape, the parent material underneath, and the influence of the management above. This article by Senior Research Officer, Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc Johnstown Castle first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm last week
23 September 2021
Milk quality research focusing on chlorine related residues
The use of chlorine-based detergents are very effective in maintaining hygiene of the milking machine and bulk talk. Residues, however, could potentially impact on milk powder as an ingredient for infant formula. Bernie O’Brien & David Gleeson, Teagasc, Moorepark discuss their research in this area
17 September 2021
Human health advantages of pasture-derived milk fat products
Many people today believe that dairy fats are an “unhealthy’ part of our daily diet. However, this belief is not supported by current scientific evidence. Here, PhD Walsh Scholar student, Orla Skillington at VistaMilk talks about the human health advantages of pasture-derived milk fat products
02 September 2021
Developing Rural Ireland - A History of the Irish Agricultural Advisory Services
A new book that documents the history of the Irish agricultural advisory services and its role in developing rural Ireland, was launched at a virtual event at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, yesterday, Wednesday 1 September.
02 September 2021
How can we enjoy a tasty, fatty meal without weight gain?
Foods rich in dietary fat are known to cause weight gain if consumed excessively, and yet we still eat them because they are tasty and are in abundant supply. This article by Oleksandr Nychyk, Wiley Barton, Paul D. Cotter and Kanishka N. Nilaweera, Teagasc first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm last week
23 August 2021
Forest fungi
Exotic mushrooms produced from hardwood logs can be an extra income earner on many broadleaf forests. The demand for edible wild mushrooms is rapidly increasing. Most of the exotic mushrooms on sale in restaurants and supermarkets in Ireland are imported. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has details
20 August 2021
Devenish Teagasc partnership to help agri industry meet climate challenge
Ireland’s food and farming sector will have a significant competitive advantage in the global market place by creating one of the world’s most sustainable food systems through a unique collaboration between animal nutrition company, Devenish, and agriculture and food development authority, Teagasc
17 August 2021
Production of Farmhouse Cheese
Farmhouse cheese making was a Gaelic tradition that disappeared from Ireland over the years. It was revived in the 1900s, and more specifically during the late 1970s, when a few enterprising dairy farmers commenced making farmhouse cheese. Is farmhouse cheese production an option for you?
29 May 2021
Who wants an insect energy bar or bug burger for lunch?
Just as no-one anticipated demand for soy-based sausages and seaweed burgers, there's another future food revolution swarming to our shops. This article by Laura Healy, a PhD student at Teagasc first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm.
28 May 2021
Lockdown changed Irish shopping and cooking behaviour
Are you a 'Covid coper' or a 'restless restrictor' ? Early 2020 lockdown boosted confidence in cooking and preparing healthier meals, and could offer teachable moments to promote healthier eating long term, says new research involving Teagasc' s Professor Maeve Henchion and Dr Sinead McCarthy
15 May 2021
The future is kelp!
Did you know the word ‘kelp’ originally described the burnt ash of brown seaweed? Maria Hayes
Research Officer, Teagasc Food Research Centre, together with Cawthron Institute Researchers, New Zealand, are looking at bio-product isolation from native Irish and New Zealand macro-algal species here.
18 April 2021
2027 Sectoral Road Map: Food
A new Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Road Map for Food was published on Tuesday, 8 December 2020. It includes: Market and policy issues; Shape & size of sector at present and in 2027; Environmental & land use implications; Research & technology transfer actions; Some initiatives underway; Outcome of actions
20 December 2020
Seaweeds for foods and feeds
Seaweeds grow in all of the Earth’s coastal climatic zones and have numerous colours, shapes and uses. Although consumed widely in Japan as an important dietary source of fibre and vitamins; in the Western hemisphere, they are overlooked as a nutrition source. Maria Hayes, Food Researcher explains
03 December 2020
Insects as Food
Considering increasing global population and increasing demand for proteins, the current food production system cannot be sufficient to meet this demand. And so, emerging protein sources need to be considered and evaluated. Carlos Álvarez García Food Researcher tells of the promise of edible insects
01 December 2020
A Day in the Life - Sustainable Diets
Dr. Sinéad MCCarthy Nutritionist Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown discusses the impact of the foods we produce and eat on our health and planet and suggests ways we can be more sustainable with our food choices
13 November 2020
A day in the life - Food in the Future: 3D printing
For Science Week, Teagasc Walsh Scholar Ricardo Uribe Alvarez introduces his project on 3D Dairy. In Teagasc Moorepark, we’re looking at using dairy ingredients to make 3D printed dairy snacks.
12 November 2020
A day in the life - Food Structure: What’s beneath the surface?
For Science Week, Deirdre Kennedy from the National Food Imaging Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, introduces Food Structure: What’s beneath the surface? At the National Food Imaging Centre, we study food structure using state-of-the-art microscopes, high speed cameras even virtual reality.
12 November 2020
Moorepark Technology Ltd.- Scaling and Innovation Supports for the Food and Drink Industry - Webinar
Carol Griffin, Teagasc Ashtown, hosted this webinar titled “Moorepark Technology Ltd.- Scaling and Innovation Supports for the Food and Drink Industry”. The webinar featured a presentation from MTL General Manager Kieran Downey, followed by a questions and answers session
07 November 2020
Prepared Consumer Food Centre
The Prepared Consumer Food Centre (PCFC) is a state of the art food research and development centre located at Teagasc Ashtown. The Centre can help food businesses to develop new products and overcome obstacles on their product development journey.
30 October 2020
How sustainable is the food we eat in Ireland?
Are you Culturally Sustainable, Nutritionally Sustainable or Unsustainable when it comes to your diet? Dr Sinéad McCarthy, Teagasc gives more information on how our food choices have the potential not only to substantially influence our health, but impact on the environment we live in.
17 October 2020
Starting a Food Business
When thinking of starting a new food business, there are many things to consider, including your market, products, premises, equipment, branding and promotion, as well as the legalities. The Teagasc Food Industry Development Department have some guidance and advice on starting a food business.
20 September 2020
Chocolate Manufacturing
The worldwide demand for chocolate confectionery is continuing to increase, with the EU being the world’s largest producer and consumer.
05 September 2020
Production of Yoghurt
The production of yoghurt is a relatively simple procedure. Milk, which can be fortified with milk powder to give a thicker product, is pasteurised, cooled and inoculated with starter bacteria, which ferment the milk, causing it to clot or gel. This factsheet gives advice on yoghurt production.
16 August 2020
Processing Fresher, Healthier, Longer-Lasting Foods
Food processing is any method used to convert fresh foods into food products. In large-scale food manufacture. Dr Elena Inguglia describes how some of our foods are currently processed, and how these processes might be improved for food to be processed freshers, healthier and longer-lasting
11 July 2020