Technology has made some of the things we thought were impossible seem possible now. From creating man made islands to reaching the other planets, nothing seems impossible with technology. Technology has also invaded our kitchens. You may have the trendiest knife or food processor but definitely not the Imperial Spherificator. This device turns all your food into tiny pearls of Dippin' Dots-like awesomeness.
As reported in Incredible Things, this device using molecular gastronomy to turn almost any food into tiny spheres, likened to Dippin Dots. As long as the food can be liquefied, you may use this device to turn food into tiny balls of edible goodness. The finished product looks so close to caviar.
Currently the device is raising funds on Kickstarter. Although the device may sound strange initially, the fundraising video that the Canada-based inventor may make you realize that using the Spherificator can actually be fun and can bring creativity into your cooking especially cocktail making. Naor Cohen, the Canadian who designed the machine, actually used the device to make onion and vinegar pearls to go with oysters, tomato pearls to go with mozzarella discs, mint pearls to go with mojito and coffee liqueur pearls to garnish on any creamy delectable dessert.
According to Giz Magazine, the Spherificator uses a known process as spherification where a liquid is mixed with a sodium alginate dripped into a bowl of cold water and calcium chloride. These droplets will then turn into little balls of gelatinous goodness.
Although this technology is not new and chefs have already created "pearls" however this is done manually where they drip the liquid one at a time often using a syringe or pipette.
It was reported that Cohen had initially designed the machine to mass produce a seaweed based caviar alternative known as Kelp Caviar. The Spherificator is said to be a machine that can be used in a household.
The Spherificator is also user-friendly. To start, you have to prepare your liquid blend. You may either use a ready-made liquid or create a blend of your own. Pour the liquid down the device together with the alginate. Adjust the mixing/dispensing speed according to your liquid's consistency. You may also adjust the size of the pearls by swapping in the different nozzles. Prepare the cold water and calcium chloride so you may dispense the liquid mixture. In particular instances where substances may be acidic, you may add more alginate. The tiny pearls can now be removed with a strainer, rinsed and used as topping or garnish.
You may watch video below on how the Spherificator really works. What do you think of the machine? Will you enjoy using one? Share us your thoughts.
