ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski enjoys pierogi, the traditional Polish dumplings, on the International Space Station during the Ignis mission.

In a first for space cuisine, Sławosz brought a taste of home to space with a special menu created in collaboration with a celebrity chef and a family-owned company in Poland. Pierogi have been part of Polish cuisine since the 13th century, and remain a staple of Polish home cooking and an essential part of Christmas Eve celebrations.

Any food delivered to the International Space Station must be crumb-free, lightweight, and keep for at least 24 months. Most of the space menu consists of canned or freeze-dried meals in plastic packages. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a luxury, only available when a spacecraft arrives with new supplies.

The pierogi were freeze-dried. Freeze-drying is a lengthy process that completely removes any water from the food, maintaining its properties and structure for years. Sławosz could enjoy the pierogi by adding hot water from the dispensers on the Space Station.

Pierogi were considered bonus food, which is catered to specific crew members and makes up around 10 percent of their menu. Astronauts say this bonus food adds variety to their dishes, boosts their mental wellbeing and helps them bond with their crewmates in orbit.

Check the whole Ignis menu and learn more about the dos and don’ts for space food in the article Pierogi in space.

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