Periodycal #19: Ci is 10, Veganuary and dry January chemistry
Returning after an extended winter break with a ChemAdvent recap and more
It’s getting a bit late in the year for “Happy New Year”, but Happy New Year anyway, and welcome to a belated new edition of the Periodycal newsletter! I took a bit of an unintended winter break there, partly due to my decision to reboot the Chemistry Advent series over the Christmas period (more on that below).
I’m getting going again with a briefer newsletter this month, absent the usual news round-up and upcoming topical graphics list, because I’m planning another newsletter for early February. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty to see here – there are graphics relating to Veganuary and Dry January, the top ten graphics of the past ten years of Ci. So read on!
What are plant-based meat alternatives made from?
It’s Veganuary, and plant-based meat alternatives are increasingly visible on supermarket shelves. The latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN looks at what’s used to make them, how their structure and colour are made to resemble real meat, and the substances used to give them their flavour and texture.
Chemistry Advent: A festive food journey around the world
Part of the reason I haven’t had time for an edition of the newsletter since November was my decision to resurrect the Chemistry Advent series in December. Previous editions have looked at traditional festive food and drink from a Western perspective, so this time around I decided to take a broader look and take in a wider range of countries and cultures. It might be well past the festive period and into the gloomy mire of January, but interesting chemistry isn’t just for Christmas, so head on in and catch up if you missed it first time around.
Dry January and alcohol-free beer
As a person with a January birthday, I’m a bit perturbed that January is increasingly championed as a month for giving up things. Plenty of people will be practising ‘Dry January’ this month, though I note that various breweries are trying to make ‘Damp January’ (that is, continuing to drink, but just slightly less) a thing.
Whether you’re off the sauce entirely this month or not, this graphic looks at some of the ways in which manufacturers make alcohol-free beers.
Compound Interest is 10
Probably should have led with this earlier, but Compound Interest hit the decade mark towards the tail end of December! It’s hard to believe it’s been ten whole years since I started making some informative posters to brighten up my classroom at the time, but here we are.
On social media I’ve been counting down the ten most popular posts (in terms of views on the website) since I started making the graphics:
Got a favourite that’s not on the list? Share it below!
That’s all for this edition – as noted above, I’ll be aiming to return to your inboxes with a much shorter hiatus early next month! As always, let me know if you’ve spotted any interesting chemistry stories, have any graphic ideas, or anything else in the comments below.
Thanks for reading,
Andy
Thank you for all your work over the years (>>10) I’ve been reading your work, Andy. All the best, John.