Bourbon Production and Pastel Crafting: A Global Perspective

Maker's Mark bourbon thrives on meticulous barrel craftsmanship and sustainable white oak management for future production.

### Inside the Fascinating Industries: Bourbon, Pastels, and Cheese
* 🥃 Kentucky Coage has been producing bourbon barrels from white oak since 1960, supplying distilleries worldwide, including **Scotland and Maker's Mark**.
* 🌳 The process begins with cutting white oak trees into staves, which **age for a year** before being assembled into barrels through a method called "**raising**."
* 🔥 Essential steps in barrel production include steaming, toasting, and charring, with the latter being **critical for imparting flavor to the bourbon**, a practice dating back to **early American distillers**.
* 👩 Maker's Mark uses a unique recipe, with **70% corn and soft red winter wheat**, to create a mash that undergoes fermentation, producing alcohol that is then distilled into a **clear liquid**.
* The bourbon is then aged in charred barrels, where it **gains color and flavor** over a period that can **extend up to 10 years**, with the distillery **closely monitoring the aging process**.
* 🍷 In contrast, HRI Roch, a pastel maker, creates a wide range of colors using a **secret formula**, emphasizing **craftsmanship and collaboration with artists** to produce **high-quality pastels**.
* 🧀 Meanwhile, Frank, a Dutch cheesemaker, maintains traditional methods of cheese production, using **raw milk from his cows** while facing environmental challenges and regulatory pressures related to **nitrogen emissions**.
* 🌍 The narrative highlights the balance between **preserving artisanal traditions** and **adapting to modern environmental demands** across these diverse industries.

### Kiwi Fruit Industry: Challenges and Innovations Amidst Changing Markets
* 🥝 Kiwi fruit exports are primarily focused on the **Gold variety**, which is **more profitable** than the Green variety, leading to a **decline in Green's overseas sales**.
* 💰 In 2023, New Zealand growers made **three times more** from Sun Golds compared to Greens, with Zespri's premium pricing reflecting the **demand for Gold kiwis**.
* 🇨🇳 China is the largest market for Zespri, followed by Japan, Spain, and Portugal, while the US presents a **growth opportunity for Sun Golds**, which are in **limited supply due to Zespri's control over licensing**.
* 🌪 The kiwi industry has faced significant challenges, including labor shortages during the pandemic and severe weather events, resulting in an estimated **loss of $400,000 from Cyclone Gabrielle alone**.
* 🔬 To ensure quality, growers employ rigorous testing methods for **ripeness, sugar content, and seed color**, which are crucial for determining the **right harvest time**.
* 🌱 Scientists are working on breeding new kiwi varieties, like the **Ruby Red**, that are **resistant to diseases and adaptable to climate change**, although this process can take **20 to 25 years**.
* 🍌 Similar to the banana industry, the kiwi sector is exploring genetic diversity to combat climate challenges, emphasizing the **importance of continuous breeding and adaptation**.
* 🌍 As the industry navigates these hurdles, the resilience of kiwi growers remains evident, with **hopes for a better harvest year ahead** despite ongoing environmental concerns.

### The Rise and Challenges of 3D Printing in Home Construction and the Art of Bronze Casting
* 🏇 Over 155,000 spectators attended the Run for the Roses, with over **$320 million wagered**, breaking last year's betting record by **$30 million**.
* 🐴 Mystic Dan won the race by a nose, earning his team a **record-breaking $3.1 million in prize money**, showcasing the **unpredictable nature of horse racing**.
* 🌳 The cork industry, heavily reliant on the cork oak tree, faces challenges from climate change, but a family-owned business in Portugal is committed to **sustainable harvesting and innovation**.
* 🌍 The Portuguese cork industry, which produces **over half of the world's cork**, has adapted to past crises, including a fungal outbreak that threatened **wine quality**.
* 🛠 The intricate process of cork harvesting requires skilled labor and strict regulations, with trees harvested **only every nine years** to ensure their health.
* 🏺 In Nigeria, the traditional craft of bronze casting faces **extinction due to lack of government support**, despite recent efforts to **return looted artifacts to their homeland**.
* 🏗 3D printing technology in construction promises to **reduce costs and building time significantly**, yet faces hurdles such as **regulatory challenges and material consistency**.
* 🏠 Companies like SQ4D and Icon are leading the charge in 3D home construction, aiming to **revolutionize the housing market** while addressing the **ongoing housing crisis**.

14 Fascinating Businesses Behind The Scenes | Business Insider Marathon

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Kentucky Coage has been making bourbon barrels from white oak since 1960, supplying distilleries worldwide.

The barrel-making process involves cutting, aging, steaming, toasting, and charring the wood to create distinct flavors.

Maker's Mark distillery uses a unique blend of corn and wheat, along with a strict recipe and timing, to produce their bourbon, which is then aged in the charred barrels for flavor.

The Bourbon Aging Process and Its Challenges

Bourbon barrels are charred to extract color and flavor, with temperature fluctuations playing a key role in the aging process.

Maker's Mark closely monitors barrel aging and uses a unique wax sealing method for bottling.

The decline of white oak trees, essential for barrel making, poses a future challenge, leading Maker's Mark to implement a breeding program for new seedlings and studying variations of white oaks for better resilience.

Caribbean Blue, a new color joining the Maison's selection, is based on the classic Cerulean blue pigment.

Margaret and Isabelle use a unique process, including terracotta tiles and an antique press, to create and shape the pastels.

Isabelle's determination to collaborate with artists and her focus on regenerating the color supply have been key to the business's success.

The Revival of Pastels and Dutch Cheese Making

Pastels have fluctuated in popularity, with a current resurgence as artists use the medium for serious work.

Isabelle and Margaret are revitalizing a century-old pigment archive to create new pastel colors.

Frank, taking over his family's cheese-making business, uses raw milk and traditional methods, while also addressing the environmental impact of the dairy industry in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands' Struggle with Nitrogen Emissions

The Netherlands implemented policies to reduce nitrogen emissions from farms near protected nature reserves, resulting in a two-thirds cut by 2019.

Protests from farmers led to a government plan to buy out and close high-emitting farms, but many farmers, like Fran, are reluctant to sell.

The Dutch dairy industry, a major exporter, faces pressure to balance environmental goals with preserving traditional farming practices.

The Impact of Nitrogen Regulations on Farming

A new right-wing party in the Netherlands, led by Kared Fiers, won the parliamentary elections and aims to halt government spending on nitrogen reduction initiatives, causing uncertainty for farmers.

The delay in forming a coalition government is criticized for worsening the agricultural sector's limbo, which is detrimental to both farmers and nature.

The challenges faced by Dutch farmers are mirrored in other countries, such as Ireland and New Zealand, highlighting the global struggle to balance agriculture, tradition, and environmental sustainability.

The Impact of PSA on New Zealand's Kiwi Fruit Industry

PSA spread rapidly, causing over half a billion dollars in losses for the kiwi fruit industry since 2010.

Russell Low's breeding program at the Plant and Food Research Institute led to the development of the resistant Sun Gold variety, which has now become a billion-dollar industry for New Zealand.

Zespri's control over Sun Gold's licenses has created a high demand, while the industry faces challenges from labor shortages and extreme weather events.

The Threat to Banana and Kiwi Fruit Varieties

The popular Cavendish banana is at risk of extinction in Colombia, but scientists are working to breed a resistant variety and promote diverse banana types.

Kiwi fruit breeding is also ongoing, with a focus on creating varieties that can withstand climate challenges.

The sugar cane industry in the US still relies on burning for harvest, but Brazil has successfully shifted to green harvesting, reducing burns and producing biofuel ethanol.

The Impact of Sugar Cane Burning on Health and Environment

Burning sugar cane in Florida is linked to high asthma rates and toxic particle pollution, with PM 2.

The sugar industry disputes pollution claims, but local residents feel the immediate effects of the burns.

Green harvesting is less common in Florida due to the unique environment and lack of regulations, while US subsidies primarily benefit larger crop producers.

The Cultural Significance of Qu and Its Evolution

Qu, a delicacy with roots in southern Fujian, China, was introduced to Southeast Asia by Chinese traders in the 15th century.

The dish has since evolved, with its preparation and sale becoming a means of survival for the Straits Chinese community during difficult times.

Edmund, inspired by his grandmother's legacy, is working to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Qu, while also partnering with the Singaporean government to promote Panican culture through a boutique shop and museum.

The Value and Impact of Cinnamon and the Kentucky Derby

Cinnamon has a rich history, once valued more than gold, with Sri Lanka and Casia now dominating the market.

Casia, while cheaper to produce, has health risks due to high levels of cumarin.

Sri Lanka's Salon cinnamon recently gained a geographical indication tag from the EU, aiming to reduce competition and boost sales.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Derby involves a massive behind-the-scenes effort, with horses like Mystic Dan having just one chance to win, adding to the excitement of the race.

The Journey to the Kentucky Derby: Mystic Dan

Cherylyn has been involved with Mystic Dan since he was a baby, and their connection is strong.

Mystic Dan's chance to win the Kentucky Derby offers a $3.

1 million prize, but for Cherylyn, it's more about caring for the horses than the money.

The training and care for a racehorse are intensive and costly, with expenses adding up to $3,000-$4,000 a month.

The Behind-the-Scenes of the Kentucky Derby

Mystic Dan, a 1200 lb horse, receives daily leg bandaging from his groom, Chico, to prevent injuries.

Churchill Downs has updated safety protocols after 12 horses were euthanized in 2023, and the Kentucky Derby has been a continuous event for 150 years.

The event's success relies on a dedicated team, from flower growers to chefs, serving 400,000 guests and generating over $2.

Cork harvesting in Portugal is a meticulous process, with workers using precision tools and following strict rules to ensure the trees' longevity.

The industry, primarily driven by a family-owned business, faced a crisis due to a fungus but has since implemented sustainable practices.

With a rich history dating back 5,000 years, Portugal remains the world's largest cork producer, and the industry has evolved with the integration of technology to meet modern demands.

The Impact and Evolution of the Cork Industry

Amorim produces around 22 million cork stoppers a day, using a unique process to categorize and brand them before shipping worldwide.

The cork's low porosity and air-filled cell structure make it an excellent wine stopper, but the industry faced a crisis in the early 2000s due to cork taint.

Amorim's investment in research and development has successfully reduced TCA levels, and the company now recycles 200 million stoppers a year while also planting 1.

5 million trees to ensure a sustainable future.

The Craft of Benin Bronzes: A Legacy in Jeopardy

The government is investing in the return of stolen Benin bronzes but not enough in today's bronze casters.

Fred, a craftsman in Benin City, is striving to preserve the traditional art of bronze casting, using techniques passed down from his ancestors.

The looting of Benin bronzes by the British in 1897 has left the kingdom with very little to show for its history, but there is a growing call for the return of these valuable artifacts.

The Return of Benin Bronzes and the Struggle of Local Craftsmen

Nigeria has been requesting the return of stolen Benin bronzes since the 1970s, with some progress made in recent years.

The return of these artworks is seen as a way to promote culture and tourism in Nigeria, but local craftsmen are struggling for support and recognition.

The high cost of materials and lack of government involvement are major challenges for today's bronze casters, who are seeking direct support from buyers to sustain their craft.

The Process and Challenges of 3D-Printed Homes

3D printing for homes involves laying down foundation walls, adding metal support, and topping with concrete, all managed by just three people.

This method significantly reduces labor costs and construction time, with the potential to complete a house in 16 days.

However, the process faces challenges such as strict building regulations, the need for specialized material mixes, and difficulty in scaling up production.

The Impact of 3D Printing on Home Construction

Building a house now takes about a month longer than in 1971, due to increased regulations and material shortages.

Icon, a company in Austin, is leading the way in 3D printing homes, with 100 houses being built in Texas.

The co-founder estimates that 3D homes could be 30% cheaper and faster to produce, but the technology's adoption depends on proving its scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Papa John's, founded by John Schnatter, grew from a standalone shop to nearly 500 locations, with a significant rebranding in 2021.

The company's success is supported by a well-organized supply chain and the use of automation and innovative machinery to streamline pizza-making.

The dough spinner, introduced in 2020, has significantly reduced pizza preparation time and has been rolled out to 75% of North American stores, helping to alleviate pressure during peak business days.