Atoms & Eats
I don’t often use the expression ‘one-of-a-kind’ on this blog, but I think today’s gift idea truly stands alone. And not in a ‘cheese stands alone’ kind of way. Although, it is certainly a gift for the foodie on your list. Or a science nerd. Confused? Read on.
The big idea here is molecular gastronomy – essentially the magic combination of science and culinary arts that reinvent what was previously thought possible in the kitchen. If you’ve ever sat there wondering why chocolate comes in bars and not noodles, or why spherical jelly beads generally taste like fish instead of something yummier, then you’ll enjoy MOLECULE-R’s offerings of molecular gastronomy kits to help you whip up exotic offerings like chocolate spaghetti and mint caviar. Molecular gastronomy is a technique already used by master chefs and bartenders worldwide – the idea behind the kits is to even the playing field a little (although to that end, pro chefs will get a kick out of these as well).
Each kit comes with the tools and additive sachets to concoct culinary experiments that turn convention on its head. The Cuisine R-EVOLUTION kit pictured above uses four tactics to achieve results. Namely, you can use the kit’s tools for Gelification (imagine pesto spaghetti or a fruit salad encased in rum), Spherification (try topping your salad with balsamic vinegar pearls), Emulsification (whip up a light flavoured foam to swap out for heavy sauces), and Siphon Whipping (low-fat whipped topping for dessert anyone?) Learn the tricks of the trade with the included instruction booklet and 50-recipe DVD for an interactive experience.
Got a bar star on your hands? Opt for the Cocktail R-EVOLUTION set to add a splash to your next party. Like the Culinary set, you’ll learn techniques from a 30-recipe DVD to help you concoct beverages like layered martinis or a mojito in the form of a bubble that bursts in your mouth. Suddenly those $12 cocktails at your favourite lounge will feel laughably simple when you begin whipping up your own lime foam and gelatin shooters.
What I love about this gift idea, honestly, is that it’s a gifty gift. What I mean by that is it’s definitely one of those things you’d more frequently buy as a gift for someone, as opposed to a treat for yourself. It can be a challenge for me as a gift guide blogger to try and find things with universal taste appeal when it comes to say, decor, clothing, or even books – but with a gift like this, the target demo is so easy (basically anyone that loves to play around in the kitchen or at the bar), the gift is so amazingly cool, and the price point from this Canadian company is so bang on ($58.95 per kit) that it just screams ‘Canadian Gift Guide’! The fact that it comes beautifully packaged and likely isn’t on the radar of the bulk of your to-buy-for list makes it that much more special.
You can buy the MOLECULE-R starter kits on their website alongside the slightly pricier Siphon R-EVOLUTION Kit, which is centred around the brand’s culinary whipper tool (also available for purchase separately). In addition, supplementary additives and refills are available, if say, you absolutely flip for the Caesar Salad Espuma (made using the Siphon Whipping technique) and eventually run out of a key ingredient.
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty in the kitchen – or if you’ve got a foodie on your gift list and no idea what to surprise them with – you may be in luck. One lucky winner is going to win their choice of the Culinary or Cocktail R-EVOLUTION kits. Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by March 20th with your preference of kit: Culinary or Cocktail + name me ONE additive from your selection (you’ll see details on the product page).
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 21st to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: You can earn two bonus entries when you Like MOLECULE-R on Facebook & leave them a comment with which tactic you’re most excited to try, and / or when you Follow MOLECULE-R on Pinterest and repin any of their pins. Be sure to leave your FB username (or link to your post) + your Repin in the comments below so I can credit you.
Canadian Gift Guide 
This is hilarious; it’s almost 3am, I’m up late working on my biochem presentation when I see this post! I watched the video on their site and I LOVE this so much – I am a molecular biology and biochemistry major and I almost went into chemistry after taking organic chem so I am definitely a science-nerd. This is like the easy-bake oven but for grown-ups/science-geeks!
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION looks super fun and amazing! (addictive: Soy Lecithin)
Oh how fun are these kits!! I watch all those cooking shows and cooking competition shows and have been intriqued ever since Marcel Vigneron wowed me with it on Top Chef.
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION additive Sodium Alginate
The culinary R-Evolution would be my first choice. It was a tough choice because both look like they would be fun to have.
.
I follow them on facebook and commented as Debbie Bashford https://www.facebook.com/MOLECULE.R/posts/615556878470588
I follow them on Pinterest and here is my re-pin http://pinterest.com/pin/284712007665232485/
Great way to impress your guests – I like the Cuisine R-Evolution the additive is AGAR AGAR
Major coolness and great conversation starter. I’d choose culinary for sure. I have liked and commented on their fb page. 🙂
I was so impressed by these products. What fun. I would buy the culinary products, and loved the additive popping sugar. Liked and commented on facebook with Janice E Cournoyer.
Cool kits! I prefer the culinary one & would choose kappa-carrageenan as my additive.
This giveaway has me super excited. Maybe it’s because I never got the Chemistry set I wanted as a child. I would love to start experimenting with the culinary set and see what I can do with Xanthan Gum
I follow MOLECULE-R on facebook as Nicole Flax
I WOULD LIKE THE CULINARY KITS AND THE ADDITIVE AGAR AGAR-THANKS!
Definitely the Cuisine R-evolution with a whipper refill as my additive. This is such a cool thing and would be a great gift for my daughter who is a Cyto genetic & a molecular genetic lab geek.
I commented on Facebook as Nicole Flax
I follow MOLECULE-R on Pinterest as NicoleRoanne and repined
My preference is the culinary & my additive is POPPING SUGAR
I would choose CUISINE R-EVOLUTION additive Sodium Alginate
liked and commented on FB as Alysha Millette
I like the popping suger with carbonated sugar
Cocktail + Popping sugar
Following on pinterest and pinned.
ellyskid
If I won…I would like the Cocktail R-EVOLUTION set…I love to have my girlfriends over to impress them with my newest found martini recipe. This product would certainly put an authentic spin on my creations!
One of the additives from my choice of Cocktail Revolution set is Cold Soluble Gelatin. Liked and left a comment.
I’d like the CUISINE R-EVOLUTION kit, and one of the additives is Agar agar.
I liked them and commented as Victoria Ess:
I like the culinary R-Evolution
Amazing; I’d go for the Cocktail R-Evolution with the additive of Cold Soluble Gelatin.
I like MOLECULE-R on Facebook and commented as Donna Lee
Follow on Pinterest as Dawnalees and pinned
Cocktail R-Evolution with cold soluble gelatin
I would love to win the Molecular Gastronomy set. One additive in this set is Xanthan Gum.
MOLECULAR-R
The Cuisine R-EVOLUTION kit One additive is Soy Lecithin
culinary and agar agar
Id want the Cuisine R-EVOLUTION kit (additive calcium lactate)
what a neat idea! I love these! and I know a few other people who would want one too
great ideas I like the Cuisine kit,,would be a hoot to have this or any of the kits
I opt for the Culinary kit and my additive is soy lecithin
Culinary kit – Sodium Alginate
id choose the culinary kit, and one additive is soy lecithin
Maybe my husband would cook me dinner if he had a cool kit like this! I would choose the culinary kit, and one additive is agar agar.
Oh definitely the culinary kit, with the agar agar.
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION additive Sodium Alginate.
Why haven’t I heard of these before? So cool!
would love the kit with the agar
I like the culinary kit — it has Xanthan Gum in it
I would be interested in the Cuisine R-Evolution and Iota Carrageenan.
I hope I would not start consuming too much!!
culinary with agar agar
I like the cocktail kit with Cold Soluble Gelatin additive.
My preference is Cuisine R-Evolution and the agar agar additive.
Culinary kit for me please – it has Sodium Alginate in there. Yum.
Culinary is my preference, desserts look so good!
My preference is Culinary.
OMG I want to learn how to make the blue drink that looks like it’s glowing in the video that would be so cool!!!
I choose Cocktail Revolution set and the Cold Soluble Gelatin.
I choose Cocktail Revolution with Gellan Gum.
I would love the cocktail revolution kit and it has Xanthan Gum but both kits come with that.
This is actually super cool, I’m adding it to my potential husband gift list…
If I won, I’d want the CUISINE R-EVOLUTION kit with Xanthan Gum!
I’d love the Cocktail kit, if only for the Sodium Alginate!
I posted on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MOLECULE.R/posts/616508418375434
I love the cocktail kit. I have been dabbling with fancy jello shots and this would step it up a notch. The additives like Soy Lecithin don’t sound tasty but it sure looks good
http://pinterest.com/pin/145874475401273178/repin/. (Momrant)
chocolate spagetti
I would choose culinary and one additive is agar-agar.
I would like the culinary kit and loved the additive popping sugar.
I would choose the culinary kit with Xanthan Gum
I would choose the cuisine kit with Sodium Alginate!
I would select the culinary version – although I do like both kits!!!! Agar-Agar
I’d chose the cocktail kit
Ingredient: Xanthan Gum
I’d like the Culinary kit. One food additive from this selection is Xanthan Gum.
I prefer the Culinary Kit. One additive is Calcium Lactate.
I would chose the culinary & the pooping sugar additive
Like them on facebook, would love to be able to do the bubble on the drink
Suzie Magee
follow on Pinterest
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION kit with the additive Xanthan Gum sounds it would be lots of fun to try
I like the culinary with popping sugar additive!
Culinary with Agar Agar! 🙂
Cocktail with Cold Soluble Gelatin sounds pretty interesting!
I like the Cuisine R-Evolution and one additive is agar agar
Cocktail and Cold Soluble Gelatin
i love them both – but i think i would get more use out of the cocktail (additive is Soy Lecithin).
I would go with Culinary and agar agar 🙂
Culinary – agar agar!
Calcium lactate for the molecular mixology kit
Oh boy, though choice. I’ll go with Cuisine R- Evolution and additive agar agar.
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION additive Sodium Alginate
I have always wanted to try this! My preference would be Culinary R-EVOLUTION Kit. (Additive: Sodium Alginate)
My preference kit would be the “CUISINE R-EVOLUTION” & one additive from my selection would be, “Soy Lecithin”. Let’s make foam!
Bonus Entry: Followed MOLECULE-R on Pinterest and repin their pin http://pinterest.com/pin/190347521723053186/
Thanks.
I would pick the Cuisine R-Evolution and would love to use the additive ‘popping sugar’.
My favourite would be the culinary kit with Calcium lactate
I’ve liked and commented on their website – Elizabeth Matthiesen.
I would choose Culinary, and one of their food additives is xanthan gum.
followed on pinterest and pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/88383211409509821/ sarah perry
liked and commented on their facebook page, sarah perry
Both of these kits would be AMAZING for a creative foodie freak/creative bartender like me! My additive is Xanthan gum!!! I really want to WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!