Liquid food expert Sturman is back with a surprising addition

At the end of 2019 I interviewed Oliver Sturman. At the time, ETH’s stress researcher ate only liquid foods — a powder mixed with water that promises a perfect mix of ingredients.

Sturman got little understanding from our readers, but his self-mockery earned him a lot of sympathy. So much sympathy (aka clicks) that we interviewed him again two years later.

And while the interview (like Sturman’s Shakes) had absolutely no meat on the bone, this also achieved dream ratings.

We just don’t make it every month. But in early December, Mr. Sturman, now Dr. Sturman, our audience too colorful – and the Brit took time for us again.

The interview was conducted in English and later translated.

Dr. Sturman, you know the drill.
Dr. Oliver Sturman: What a follow-up year! «Top Gun II», «Avatar II» and now «Sturman III»! What the world has been waiting for.

Haha, before we get to the fun part, let’s quickly do the obligatory: How’s your fluid intake?
I still consume one or two shakes a day

Still?
I took a short break and then started again. But I’m definitely eating more regular meals today than I did during the intensive testing phase, which lasted about a year. It’s still one or two shakes. But guess what – something else has fundamentally changed.

I’m as excited as a streak.
They now sell liquid food here in the UZH canteen!

No!
Progress is unstoppable.

Maybe it’s the chef’s fault. By that I mean, of course, that the chief might also read Watson and be inspired by you.
But they sell a different product than what I drink.

And? Have you tasted someone else?
i don’t want to lie yes. And admittedly, it was pretty good. The product is not for mixing, but is “ready to drink”. I think that’s why it’s both better and significantly more expensive.

back to you They still consume liquid foods. And you still haven’t lost any teeth? The jaw is still on I see…
Yes, it’s disappointing. But conversely, I didn’t get any super powers either. For example, my hair growth did not improve.

But – I have my sources – a lot has changed in your life.
Oh yeah. The past year has been wild.

You committed to a puppy.
I agree. She’s with me today in the office in the other room. At the moment she is sleeping. But young dogs are really a lot of work. At least breakfast is easy: I take a spoonful of liquid food and then she gets her spoonful.

But hopefully not from the same broth you drink?
No no. My dog ​​is on special beagle food. But you know, basically we eat the same thing. Except my dog ​​says, “Oh! Same mess as yesterday! Today is my lucky day!’ But of course she also gets a lot of different delicacies.

What’s so strenuous about a young dog?
So many walks. Every day, every morning. I thought it would get easier with time to get up and go out that early. And then having to take pictures for Instagram every time.

For Instagram?
Naturally. Daisy Ploppins already has 84 followers.

After this interview, she will be a star. We are definitely going to get 90 followers.
90! I was thinking more like 85. But believe me, I know what people want. That’s why there are no pictures of me. Incidentally, the best dogs in the business earn up to $50,000 per post with sponsors. Then I thought why not. But I soon realized: It’s hard work posting four times a day. Especially if you are still employed. That’s why I take it easy.

Is there anything else to tell about your dog?
The best thing about having a dog is that you finally get to know all your neighbors. I’ve been living with them under the same roof for over two years, but I haven’t really gotten to know anyone yet. Until now, my only contact with my neighbors has been the classic Swiss thing: walking into each other’s arms in the dark at night in the washroom and being so scared you don’t exchange a word. I’m sure this happens to everyone in Switzerland at least once a week. And after the first shock, no conversation can follow.

But we need to talk about something else. In my careful research for this interview, I learned that you bought a slushy machine.
This is true. I look like I’m about to collapse… a grown man buying a puppy and a slushy machine. But as a scientist, I have to take care of the important things in society. And one of them is: can you freeze mulled wine?

You seem to have a knack for dirty things from mugs.
listen to me You know it: mulled wine is the best thing at Christmas time…

no
Don’t like mulled wine?

no
But can we agree that many people like him?

Yes.
Good. And I thought to myself, it’s fruity, it’s sweet. What if you could also sell it in the summer! But no one wants hot mulled wine in the summer. And at room temperature it is also inedible. But maybe, just maybe, if you make mulled wine into a slushy, it can be enjoyed in the summer too.

And? Is he?
no he is terrible.

what about beer Have you already turned beer into a slushy?
no not yet. Making a perfect slushy is a delicate art form. The sugar-alcohol ratio must be perfect. With too little sugar, the stuff freezes too quickly and produces a single, huge block of ice that blocks the machine.

What were the best slushies you’ve produced so far?
Those were very different things – with vodka. So, for example, mixed different fruit juices and then pure vodka. This resulted in a very nice structure. And the more you consume, the better it gets…obviously.

You sacrifice yourself for these experiments in the name of science.
I must admit that I didn’t find out beforehand if anyone had already performed the mulled wine experiment for me. But maybe I should do a series of “Will it slush?” doing. starting different things and processing them into slushys.

I see a YouTube channel
I don’t think I have the capacity for a YouTube channel besides my dog ​​Instagram channel.

But somehow you have to recoup your expenses.
That’s right. The slushy machine cost about 500 francs.

sorry how much
Yes I know. Not my wisest purchase. But she’s good for parties. Not that I would throw parties. But if the worst turns out to be the worst, I would be well prepared.

Did you buy the machine at least in the summer?
No! Of course not. Only in late autumn! I crave a slushy all summer long when it was really hot. Slushies are not available on every corner in Switzerland.

Because they are terrible!
Why are slushies terrible?

They cause a brain freeze, a feeling as if the brain is freezing. You give me a headache.
But the Brainfreeze is the best part.

So says the stress researcher of the Institute for Brain Research.
The trick is to press your tongue against your palate. Then the feeling is gone.

I feel really useful information for our readers in this interview. Can you explain that in more detail?
There are small blood vessels in the palate that close when it is cold and make you feel like your brain hurts. If you warm up the area now, the feeling will go away. The tongue is well suited for this because it is usually already in your mouth and has a good blood supply.

An interesting insight – and therefore a novelty for this interview series! Have there been other significant changes in your life that we would like our readers to know about?
The dog was a huge intervention. The slushy machine too, of course – almost the same size. Other than that, not much has happened.

What does your research actually do?
Ha! Now try to grab a scoop quickly. But I won’t tell you about my laser-eyed flying mice. no In all seriousness. I don’t think I’m allowed to comment on my research in this context. You would have to submit an official request for this.

Maybe I’ll even do that someday. It was certainly a pleasure to interview you again. But I’m afraid our third installment will be too thin for another installment next year.
But at least we probably did the first interview in Switzerland about slushy machines. That must be something too.