Sometimes innovations don’t need to be technologically advanced to make an impact.
Meet the Wonderbag, a new way to slow cook your food based on old techniques. The concept is simple; put a bunch of random items into a pot, bring it to a boil, then place it inside the funky looking bag for a good number of hours until the food is slow cooked to perfection.
The material the Wonderbag is made of works like a thermos in that it keeps the heat trapped inside the bag, maintaining a simmering temperature to continue cooking the food inside the pot.
What’s so helpful about it?
Well according to the Wonderbag site, there are quite a few benefits:
Saves 30% of annual household income – saving money and easing poverty
It reduces CO2 emissions
Less deforestation because families need less firewood to cook
It reduces toxic fumes which means less respiratory problems and other diseases, particularly in children
It reduces time spent cooking, giving more time for child-care and other activities
It saves precious water. When the pot is insulated in a Wonderbag at a fairly constant temperature, less evaporation occurs, so less water is needed
It saves food. 20% of all staple food in Africa is burned, due to pots being placed on open fires and unregulated stove tops. With Wonderbag, no burning occurs
And most importantly, for every Wonderbag purchased, the company donates one to a family in need in Africa.
Here are a few stories of how the Wonderbag is helping African communities.
Legit or just a marketing shtick?
Although it is a for-profit company which could just be using the ‘create change’ slogan as part of a brilliant branding and marketing campaign, they do donate to the poor and promote a positive message. So if they stay true to the values they claim to promote, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy the profits of their work.
The solution itself does save people money and hassle in the long run, which means that it is a useful product worth trying particularly if you like slow cooking.
In the West, the Wonderbag may not be so popular since the culture is all about quick meals and instant satisfaction, but if you ever get the chance to try a slow cooked meal, don’t pass it up! Delicious.
