The twentieth century for mankind has become a period of rapid development and sensational discoveries in various fields of science and technology. One such innovation is powdered alcohol.
New invention
The usual method of producing alcoholic beverages has been known since ancient times. It requires the presence of natural raw materials, special equipment and certain conditions for the process. The result is a ready-to-eat product. But he has two drawbacks - weight and packaging. In standard glass containers, liquid goods pose additional transportation problems. These factors were the subject of research by scientists who set themselves the goal of creating powdered alcohol. The advantages of such a product are obvious. Going on the road or on vacation, it’s easier to take a bag of powder with you than a bag with bottles. At the right time, it remains only to perform the simplest manipulation, and the desired drink will be ready in a few minutes.
The idea interested many, and scientists enthusiastically took up the work. As a result, powdered alcohol was still created. Manufacturers of a new type of alcohol are trying in every possible way to interest future buyers. They pay attention to the fact that such a product will cost much less than its liquid counterpart. And such a benefit cannot but interest potential consumers.
Pending Sales
The developers of the revolutionary novelty present powder alcohol as a substance necessary in everyday life. For example, alcohol can be used by tourists as a means to treat wounds. And in winter, motorists from powder of a special composition can make with their own hands an antifreeze, or, as they say, "frost-free". Everything is simple, fast, no need to mess around with bulky packaging. The first new product plant is located in the US, Arizona. The government has already considered all questions regarding pricing and taxation. The product may appear on sale in the near future. To begin with, manufacturers intend to release five items of products:
- vodka,
- rum
- Cosmopolitan cocktail
- Lemon Drop cocktail
- a cocktail called “Powderita”, which tastes very much like the famous Margarita.
It is interesting that the law on age restrictions does not apply to such alcoholic mixtures. Therefore, young people will be able to easily purchase such goods in the distribution network. Perhaps this is not entirely true, but the legitimacy of such actions has not yet been disputed by anyone.
Familiar principle
In our country, people are already accustomed to products such as instant tea, coffee or soft drinks. But few people know about powdered alcohol. What is it and how to handle it? The technology in this case is extremely simple. It's like in an advertisement: “Just add water!” Really, nothing complicated. There are two options:
1. Pour the powder into a clean container and then pour it with plain water.
2. Pour water into the prepared container, and then pour a portion of the powder into it.
In principle, there is no difference. And in that, and in another case, you get the same drink. Very comfortably. No need to buy a half-liter bottle of vodka to drink only one glass. Why pay more? What to do with the rest of the vodka?
And how will the situation change if powder alcohol is used? What will it be: a financial gain or an opportunity to limit the amount of alcohol consumed? Perhaps both. Or, for example, the housewife decided to bake a cake. For impregnation of cakes, she needs 100 grams of rum or brandy. Under normal circumstances, she is forced to buy a whole bottle, and this, of course, is expensive. Using a dry concentrate, the hostess can prepare a delicious dessert and at the same time save. What is not the benefit?
How to make the coveted powder
Many, recalling school chemistry lessons, are sure that it is impossible to make alcohol in the form of a powder, because ethyl alcohol freezes at a fairly low temperature (-114.3 degrees Celsius). How can such a powder be preserved in ordinary household conditions? Here supramolecular chemistry comes to the rescue. It is she who will help to understand what powder alcohol is actually. The composition of the new product can conditionally be presented in the form of two elements: ethyl alcohol and cyclodextrins. Back in 1974, American scientists filed a patent for an invention with which an alcohol molecule can be placed in a cell consisting of a certain group of carbohydrates that can be easily isolated from ordinary starch.
Subsequently, when it comes into contact with water, the ethylene molecule is "released from the shackles" and turns the resulting solution into an alcohol mixture of a certain concentration. This is the whole secret. There are fears that some people may decide to simply inhale this powder, thereby increasing its intoxicating effect. But here it all depends not on the manufacturer, but only on the consumer. Everyone manages his fate and health.
Different opinions
Revolutionary alcohol received the unusual name Palcohol. From the moment of its invention to the present time, irreconcilable disputes are going on in society. Some argue that powdered alcohol is not only an excellent substitute for conventional drinks, but also an extremely necessary thing in those areas and fields of activity where weight and volume are of no small importance (tourism, organization of expeditions). However, their opponents argue that all this is nothing compared to the evil that brings a new product to society. After all, a child can buy a sweet powder, replacing one of the cocktails, and use it, for example, without diluting it with water. In this case, the result may be the most deplorable. In addition, a small bag can easily be carried to any room, which means that the use of alcoholic beverages cannot be limited. People will start drinking everywhere. And what good can drinking society lead to? Many countries support this view. For example, Canada has not yet agreed to sell this product in its own country. The rest also take a wait and see attitude. Perhaps the new product is not destined to appear on store shelves? Time will put everything in its place.