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Pierogi - the ultimate space meal Science & Exploration

Pierogi in space

14/02/2025 14487 views 43 likes
ESA / Science & Exploration / Human and Robotic Exploration

In a first for space cuisine, ESA project astronaut
Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski will bring pierogi, the traditional
Polish dumplings, to the International Space Station during the
upcoming Axiom Mission 4.

Slawosz is bringing a taste of home to space with a special menu
created together with a celebrity chef and a family-owned company in
Poland. The food selection includes pierogi stuffed with cabbage and
mushrooms, tomato soup with noodles, Polish "leczo" stew with
buckwheat, and apple crumble for dessert. 

Taste of Poland in space

Any food delivered to the International Space Station must be
crumb-free, lightweight and keep for at least 24 months.

Types of food in space: infographic Types of food in space:
infographic

Most of the space menu consists of canned or freeze-dried meals in
plastic packages. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a luxury, only
available when a spacecraft arrives with new supplies.

Bonus food catered for specific crew members makes up around 10
percent of their menu. Astronauts say this bonus food adds variety to
their dishes, boosts their mental wellbeing and helps them bond with
the crew in orbit.

"I wanted a truly Polish menu that I could share with my fellow
astronauts. Food brings psychological comfort, and I instantly
thought it would be worth taking some Polish delicacies into orbit,"
says Slawosz.

The pierogi challenge

Pierogi have been part of Polish cuisine since the 13th century.
These dumplings remain a staple of Polish home cooking and an
essential part of Christmas Eve celebrations.

"When I heard about the possibility of choosing my bonus food menu,
pierogi were always at the top of my list! I like to make them
myself," explains Slawosz.

Making of pierogi for space Making of pierogi for space

The Polish astronaut, who will be conducting over a dozen
technological and scientific experiments during the Ignis mission,
met an unexpected challenge with his beloved pierogi.

"The first batches kept bursting! It was not only about cooking the
food, it was also the technological process behind. It took us a
while to master freeze-drying, to remove moisture from the stuffing
through the dough and to dispose of the water left after
rehydration," he admits. 

Freeze-drying is a long process that completely removes any water
from the food, maintaining its properties and structure for years.

Space chef Mateusz Gessler Space chef Mateusz Gessler

Slawosz partnered with Polish family business LYOFOOD, a small
company with over three decades of experience with freeze-drying
technology that helped to find a solution for pierogi to be enjoyed
after adding hot water from the dispensers on the Space Station.

Renowned Polish chef and restaurateur Mateusz Gessler created the
main three dishes, while the apple crumble dessert is part of
LYOFOOD's menu.

Ignis menu

  * Pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms
  * Tomato soup with noodles
  * Polish "leczo" stew with buckwheat
  * Apple crumble

  * Pierogi cooked for space Pierogi cooked for space
  * Pierogi space chef Pierogi space chef
  * Polish team of cooks for space pierogi Polish team of cooks for
    space pierogi
  * Pierogi space packaging Pierogi space packaging
  * The space menu: infographic The space menu: infographic
  * Dining on the Space Station: infographic Dining on the Space
    Station: infographic

Food in space

Microgravity has an impact on bone density, muscle tone and
nutrients, and it becomes vital that Slawosz's diet contains the fuel
he needs.

Food tasting for Axiom Mission 4 crew Food tasting for Axiom Mission
4 crew

An astronaut's space menu comprises a range of food designed to meet
nutritional and operational requirements on board. Teams on the
ground start selecting meals months in advance because food must be
sent to the lab for safety and nutritional testing after being
freeze-dried, thermostabilised or vacuum-packed.

Before his Ignis mission takes off, Slawosz participated in several
space food tasting sessions and rated food and drinks. This helped
determine what dishes will be included in their basic food supply
throughout the mission.

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