Scientists brew beer from 5,000-year-old yeast
Marie Donlon | May 22, 2019Scientists in Israel are brewing beer in the lab using an ancient ingredient: 5,000-year-old yeast.
A team of scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have sequenced the DNA of six different yeast types excavated from Egyptian, Judean and Philistine archaeological sites in Israel. Using the yeast collected from the pores of fragmented ancient clay wine and beer vessels, scientists, with help from a local brewmaster, were able to replicate flavors in the lab that existed thousands of years ago.
The team believes that the research will help to recreate other ancient beverages and maybe even foods, while also shedding light on the evolution of human diets and the microorganisms present in the human digestive system.
“This is the first time that living yeast were actually extracted, identified and recreated from ancient pottery vessels, and furthermore, they were used in producing alcoholic beverages that were consumed in ancient times,” said Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Yitzhak Paz. “This groundbreaking research opens ways to other endeavors that will identify ancient remains of foodstuffs in ancient vessels and will recreate them.”
Hoping to commercialize the ancient varieties of beer, Hebrew University’s R&D division is currently in the market for potential investors.
Shouldn't that be Homebrew University?
WWJD...What Would Jesus Drink? Could ancient stains of Probiotic enzymes be developed using the same technique making the world a healthier place, extending life span to a hundred and twenty years and beyond?