Microbes producing our food

Many people think of microbes only as harmful germs that cause disease. But in reality, not all microbes make us sick. In fact, many are beneficial and play important roles in our health and daily lives.

Materials to download, in English and Welsh:

These "friendly germs" can be found in our bodies, where they help our digestion, produce vitamins and support the immune system.

They are also essential in the production of the foods we eat every day, by breaking down sugars and converting them into acids, alcohol and many different flavours and smells.

For example, special bacteria are used to make yoghurt and cheese by fermenting milk. They are even responsible for the holes in Swiss cheese! Yeast is used to make bread and to produce vinegar, beer and wine.

Microbes also help ferment vegetables like gherkins, sauerkraut and kimchi, produce soy sauce, miso and kefir, and preserve meats like salami. And without microbes fermenting cacao and coffee beans there would be no chocolate and no coffee!

So, while it’s true that some microbes can cause illness, many others are our allies. Understanding and using these friendly germs helps improve our health, our food and the environment.

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