Expedition 44 midterm report - our astronauts about to eat space grown lettuce for the first time

[RainDreamer]

Probably boring to some people, but the astronauts have grown some more lettuce on ISS and has an ok to eat them in space. Recommended recipes from NASA: lettuce wraps with chicken or chiken teriyaki.

Anyone has a better recipe to use lettuce to use in space?

Edit:
Also, they are doing some final checks on Robonaut, and is going to have it doing its first IVA in a few weeks. Edited August 7, 2015 by RainDreamer

[Shpaget]

Shouldn't they eat it solo?

It makes no sense to eat it combined with other rehydrated halffoods. I'd assume they would be interested in the lettuce itself, not the fajitas.

[Glaran K'erman]

Shouldn't they eat it solo?

If you're a rabbit. Test that lettuce, but they better do it with some flavor. On the other hand fresh food is mighty hard to come by up there...

[RainDreamer]

Well, they already know it is edible, but I think they want to know how it taste with other food.

Oh and in other news, they have been testing their Robonauts, and it sounds like the astronauts will soon have a robotic companion up there.

Edited August 7, 2015 by RainDreamer

[jfull]

Remember, the fluids sloshing around their heads mean that they can barely taste anything up there.

I would assume that they wouldn't be able to taste something like lettuce at all.

[Shpaget]

Going by that logic they should just grow algae and make some green mushy burgers.

[Glaran K'erman]

I'd eat space algae.....but ONLY space algae. None of that gross Earth algae.

[Camacha]

I'd eat space algae.....but ONLY space algae. None of that gross Earth algae.

Earth algae can be both pretty neat and useful.

[Scotius]

Earth algae can be both pretty neat and useful.

Like in sushi. Sushi + wasabi + soy sauce would be tasty even in space

[Glaran K'erman]

Algae can be both useful AND gross Science!

[Streetwind]

Remember, the fluids sloshing around their heads mean that they can barely taste anything up there.

I would assume that they wouldn't be able to taste something like lettuce at all.

Taste is one thing, texture is another. People put lettuce on hamburgers not because lettuce tastes great, but because the crunchy texture offers a pleasing counterpoint to the soft meat and bun of the burger. It makes the whole meal more interesting.

The space agencies really pull out all the stops when it comes to sending their astronauts and cosmonauts good food (partly because of the problem with taste), but there's serious limitations to bringing up stuff like fresh lettuce. Food must be packaged a month in advance and must be of minimum weight and volume. Any such food is a long way removed from "fresh", even if it's preserved and prepared with exceptional care.

For that reason alone, you can bet the crew is excited. It's not about the taste - it's about having something immediately fresh in a way that some of them may not have had the opportunity to have in over 4 months straight.