main idea module five

Module Five

By: Christopher K. Shumaker

The main idea is what the entire paragraph or reading selection is about.

The main idea can be called a topic sentence, thesis statement, or a central point/idea.

The main idea will always include the topic plus the point the author is trying to make.

List Words• such as several, many, five things, etc• They will let you know that a # of things will

appear.

Addition Words• such as first, second, next, also, another, finally• These words can help you find the main idea.

Supporting Details• Try to see if you can find the first supporting detail and the last

supporting detail of the paragraph or entire reading selection.• The main idea will always be the sentence before the first detail,

or the sentence directly following the last supporting detail.

Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

What is the topic of this paragraph?

• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

topic=coffee • Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

What is the author’s point?• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

author’s point= health benefits outweigh negative effects

• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

Do you see any addition words?• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

addition words= in addition• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

Where is the last supporting detail?

• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

the last supporting detail is • Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

Where is the main idea?• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

The main idea is:• Everyone knows what it’s like to have the “jitters” after one cup of coffee

too many. Those shaking hands and sleepless nights have convinces many that coffee is as unhealthy as alcohol or cigarettes. However, the health benefits or coffee greatly outweigh its negative effects. In addition to reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, those morning cups of joe have been shown to ward off two of America’s most common killers: heart disease and cancer. Coffee flushes the bloodstream of the excess fat that clogs arteries and also supplies a large dose of antioxidants, which prevent the formation or tumors. Psychologically, the stimulant effects of a daily cup have proven to reduce suicide rates. And as for the fear of a troublesome addiction to caffeine, that risk is often overstated. Physical dependence on coffee becomes a possibility only after drinking five or more cups daily, significantly more than the two or three cups a day that Americans drink on average.

Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

What is the topic of the passage?• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many

physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

topic=on-site child care• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many

physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

What is the author’s point?• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many

physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

author’s point=it provides physical and financial benefits

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

Do you see a list word within a sentence?

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

LIST WORD

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

Find the supporting details that explain the author’s point.

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

supporting details

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

What is the main idea?

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

the main idea is:

• Offering on-site child care for employees’ children provides many physical and financial benefits to companies. Such child-care facilities ease the strain on parents. While they are at work, they can keep in touch with a baby or toddler and observe the care their child is receiving. They are able to spend time with their children during breaks and lunch hours, and mothers can even nurse their babies at the center. These benefits attract and keep capable workers with the company. Surprisingly, providing child care can even reduce labor costs. When the United Bank of Monterey, California, decided to measure the cost of its daycare center, officials found that the annual turnover of employees who used the center was just one-fourth that of employees who did not use it. Users of the centers were also absent from work less often, and they took shorter maternity leaves. After subtracting the center’s costs from these savings, the bank saved more than $200,000.

In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

What is the topic of this passage?• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

topic=King Midas• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

What is the author’s point?• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

author’s point=fables can have a basis in fact

• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and

golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King

Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

Where are the supporting details?• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and

golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King

Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

supporting details• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and

golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King

Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

What is the main idea?• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania

uncovered a fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and

golden Muscat grapes. Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King

Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.

the main idea is:• In 1957, a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania uncovered a

fabulous burial site just west of Ankara in Turkey. From the richness of its trappings and the remains of an ancient palace nearby, the researchers concluded that it was the tomb of the legendary King Mita, or Midas. Most remarkable of all was the fact that the dry climate had preserved the remains of a funeral meal that had been prepared some 2,700 years ago. The remains of this elaborate feast were packed up and preserved for another forty-some years, until techniques for analyzing food residues had advanced enough to permit the recreation of the funeral feast. Using these archaeological findings, a chef at the University Museum created the “Midas Touch Banquet.” The most golden things about the feast was the re-creation of the liquor that had been found in crystallized form in the goblets used at Midas’s funeral. It was an alcoholic beverage made from honey, barley, and golden Muscat grapes.

Sometimes ancient fables, like the legend of King Midas, the man who could turn everything to gold, have a basis in fact.