Noble rot

Across the country, small producers are rediscovering the ancient art of fermentation, with delicious results. Tom Howells samples British-made kefir, kombucha, kraut and more

When she died in 2024, Spain’s Maria Branyas was the world’s oldest woman. She was 117. Experts believe the secret to her longevity may have been the bacteria living in her gut – her microbiome – and

Hidden preservatives, disguised sugars, ultra-processing and even insects: uncover the truth behind your food’s shopping list of secret ingredients

From chip-shop staple to artisanal ferment… how tangy vinegars have been livening up British mealtimes for generations

On a summer’s day, your garden is full of activity, with hoverflies, butterflies and bees flying from flower to flower. But that is only one slice of the action on your plot. In the ground beneath you

Amazing answers to your curious questions