Space exploration has always captured the imagination of many people. We continue to search not only for life beyond Earth, but also for new worlds that can sustain human life. Because of this fascination, we developed space-based astronomical observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope, launched the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons, and sent exploration rovers to Mars.
More recently, daring private companies like SpaceX and Virgin Orbit have been developing rocket ships that will send people to and from Mars with the intention of colonizing it. Slowly, we are inching our way to inhabiting another planet that we once thought impossible.
But how will life survive in such an inhabitable environment and what are we going to eat on Mars?
In another amazing human feat, Heinz and its Tomato Masters teamed up with a group of leading scientists at the Florida Institute of Technology’s Aldrin Space Institute to grow tomatoes in out-of-this-world conditions – Martian soil!
Last November 8, 2021, the makers of the world’s favorite ketchup unveiled the Heinz Tomato Ketchup: Marz Limited Edition by launching its prototype bottle into space and reaching the Earth’s atmosphere. The team successfully produced tomatoes grown in the harshest soil conditions like that of the red planet yet still having the unmistakable thick and rich Heinz taste that we all know and love.
The Heinz Tomato Ketchup: Marz Limited Edition was revealed on a maiden voyage into the Earth’s atmosphere, reaching 37,000 meters above ground. Photo: Sent Into Space
In 2019, Heinz took on a very different, top-secret challenge with a first-of-its-kind scientific experiment code-named “Project Red”. Backed by their 100 years of expertise in growing tomatoes, they analyzed difficult soil conditions, picked the perfect Heinz seeds, and implemented world-leading techniques to grow tomatoes of high enough quality to become bottles of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
“Before now, most efforts around discovering ways to grow in Martian simulated conditions are short term plant growth studies. What this project has done is look at long-term harvesting of food. Achieving a crop that is of a quality to become Heinz Tomato Ketchup was the dream result and we achieved it. And working with the Tomato Masters at Heinz has allowed us to see what the possibilities are for long term food production beyond Earth. There is much we can learn by working with the biggest food companies worldwide,” states Dr. Andrew Palmer, project lead and associate professor at the Aldrin Space Institute.
Heinz’s limited edition tomato ketchup is made with tomatoes grown in Martian soil conditions. The two-year experiment was created and delivered by the Tomato Masters at Heinz and scientists from the Aldrin Space Institute at the Florida Institute of Technology to ensure that the unmistakable taste of Heinz Tomato Ketchup can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Photo: Heinz
“We’re so excited that our team of experts has been able to grow tomatoes in unknown conditions from another planet and share our creation with the world. From analyzing the soil from Martian conditions two years ago to harvesting now, it’s been a journey that’s proved wherever we end up, Heinz Tomato Ketchup will still be enjoyed for generations to come,” says Cristina Kenz, Chief Growth Officer for Kraft Heinz International Zone.
Indeed, our species has come a long way. Our curious minds have brought us beyond Earth through technological advancements and have led us to new and exciting discoveries – including Martian food. We still have a lot of questions to answer and a vast universe left to explore, but one thing is for sure: we can always make life delicious, may it be here on Earth or on Mars.
The Heinz Tomato Ketchup Marz Edition is in limited number and is not available for sale, but you can still buy and taste Heinz’s exact iconic tomato ketchup from their Lazada online store. To know more about #HeinzMarzEdition and #HeinzOnMarz, visit Heinz on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Have a taste of life on Mars
Source: Balitanghali
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