The Ancient Iceman’s Yeast Leads to Sourdough Bread and Future Beer
In a fascinating twist, scientists have managed to bake some surprisingly good sourdough bread using yeast extracted from the internal organs of Ötzi, the ancient Iceman. They’re even considering brewing beer next.
Ötzi’s mummified remains were discovered by hikers in northern Italy in 1991, after lying undisturbed for about 5,300 years. He met a tragic fate, shot by an arrow while walking through the Alps.
The excellent preservation of his remains is attributed to the icy conditions of his burial site, which have offered researchers intriguing insights into life during the Copper Age.
Newly released findings in a microbiome journal reveal that scientists have identified a mix of ancient and modern microbes inside Ötzi’s body.
These findings include the gut bacteria from his life, cold-adapted microbes from his icy grave, and modern strains from conservation efforts over the years, as reported in the study. “Our research shows that Ötzi isn’t just a relic; he’s a dynamic ecosystem,” said Mohamed Sarhan, a microbiologist from Eurac Research’s Mummy Research Laboratory in Bolzano, Italy.
Moreover, yeast managed to survive the decades in sub-zero temperatures, found in the “brownish water” from Ötzi’s internal organs and skin. This led to the intriguing opportunity to attempt baking bread with this ancient strain.
Interestingly, people often inquire if yeast can be used for baking once they hear about it. Initially, the team faced challenges with their sourdough attempts, but after three months of refinements, they succeeded in creating a “very, very good sourdough,” according to Sarhan.
Beer brewing is now on the horizon, adding to the list of culinary items potentially derived from mummies.
Researchers also discovered that Ötzi had a fiber-rich diet, evident from the preservation of his gut bacteria. “The decline of these bacteria in modern Western diets likely ties back to changes in eating habits, antibiotic use, and a diminished exposure to natural environments,” Sarhan noted.
Ultimately, Ötzi could serve as an example of what we’ve lost in terms of gut health and what we might aspire to regain in the future.
