FailureFood

The intention

The Dane Jens Moller was a farmer with an interest in biology. He studied there and liked to do experiments. He wanted to show his children that enzymes were able to turn beet-red colored water blue.

The approach

He had picked seaweed and put it in a bowl of water colored with beetroot red. He isolated enzymes from a plant that he attached to the seaweed.

The result

The test failed. nothing happened. He left the bowl of water for what it was, the kids went out to play. Only a week later did he notice something. A strip of sunlight fell into the bowl of water with weed and enzymes and small colored balls glittered in that light. The enzymes had tackled the weed and turned it into balls that looked exactly like fish eggs. And edible.

The lessons

From that moment on, Moller dreamed of an artificial caviar factory. He has it now, but it has been quite some time-more than 10 year- took it to happen. First of all, he had to figure out exactly what he'd done wrong to make his experiment fail. After long trials he managed to make the mistake again. He later discovered that he can also turn seaweed into caviar without outside enzymes.A current example of serendipity: You are, as it were, looking for the needle in the haystack and you find the farmer's daughter. If you want to find her again next time there are a few options: reason back (what steps did I go through from the find?), or just start experimenting again in the hope that you will make the mistake again but this time more 'consciously'.

Further:
Jens Moller's caviar incorporates various natural dyes and all possible flavors under the name Cavi-Art; ginger, balsamic vinegar, horseradish and chili pepper. Cavi-Art is sold in several countries. Belgium: Delhaize. Not yet in the Netherlands. See also www.cavi-art.com

This case is based on the NRC section De Keuken, Wouter Klootwijk/Tranige counterfeit fake caviar.

Author: Editorial Brilliant Failures

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