Visitors flocked to Imperial Festival's newest exhibit today to discover how science could change the future of food.

In the Food Zone, festival-goers tried out technology that uses electronic currents to create virtual flavours in the mouth, discovered how microwaveable cutlery could help combat childhood obesity, and learnt how to make cheese creamier through physics.

Scientists at the Zone explained how research is revealing which types of foods provide the greatest protection against disease. Earlier this year, Imperial academics showed that eating more than five portions of fruit and veg a day, and ideally ten, shows major benefit in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer and early death. A handful of nuts a day also cuts the risk of a wide range of diseases.

Food for thought

Imperial Festival's street-food market had an array of artisanal snacks

Nearby the Food Zone, street-food vendors served up tasty treats to hungry visitors – including artisanal cakes, fresh pasta, creamy raclette and juicy burgers.

The Food Zone is just one of 12 interactive zones at the 2017 Imperial Festival. The weekend-long event at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus brings together hundreds of attractions, live interactive experiments, new technology demonstrations, in-depth talks, lab tours, creative workshops and performances within zones themed around Robots, Superbugs, Health & Body, the Future, and Energy and Environment.

Take a look for yourself

Imperial's free public festival re-opens tomorrow, Sunday 7 May, 12.00-17.00 at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ.

View the full programme online

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