Why whole foods, seasonal eating, home cooking and cultural food traditions are finding new relevance in modern Australian kitchens.

Sometimes the Best Nutrition Ideas Aren't New

Walk through almost any supermarket today and you'll notice something interesting.

People are looking backwards.

Bone broth.

Fermented foods.

Sourdough bread.

Slow-cooked meals.

Traditional grains.

Seasonal vegetables.

Native Australian ingredients.

Foods that were once considered old-fashioned are becoming popular again.

Why?

Because many people are beginning to realise that healthy eating doesn't always require the newest product or the latest food trend.

Sometimes the answers have been in traditional kitchens all along.

Traditional Foods Never Really Disappeared

It's easy to assume traditional foods were replaced by modern diets.

In reality, many families never stopped preparing them.

Soups.

Stews.

Roasted vegetables.

Legumes.

Fresh herbs.

Slow-cooked meals.

Homemade stocks.

These foods have continued to appear on dinner tables across Australia and around the world.

What's changing today is that nutrition science is increasingly recognising the value of many of these long-established eating patterns.

Traditional foods are no longer viewed simply as cultural traditions.

They're increasingly appreciated as practical, whole-food choices that fit modern lifestyles.

Modern Life Has Created New Appreciation for Simple Food

Today's world moves quickly.

Many people juggle work, family, study and busy schedules.

Convenience has become important.

Yet at the same time, there's growing interest in slowing down when it comes to food.

Cooking at home.

Sharing meals.

Preparing simple recipes.

Shopping locally.

Eating seasonally.

People are rediscovering that preparing food can be enjoyable rather than simply another task to complete.

Traditional foods fit naturally into this shift.

Traditional Foods Reflect Real Ingredients

One of the defining features of traditional cooking is its simplicity.

Most recipes begin with recognisable ingredients.

Vegetables.

Fruit.

Legumes.

Whole grains.

Fresh herbs.

Quality protein.

Rather than depending on long ingredient lists, traditional meals often allow the natural flavours of food to stand out.

This whole-food approach continues to influence modern dietary guidelines and public health recommendations around the world.

Every Culture Has Traditional Foods Worth Celebrating

Traditional foods are not limited to one country.

Italian families prepare minestrone.

Japanese households enjoy miso soup.

Greek kitchens celebrate legumes and vegetables.

Indian cooking combines lentils with aromatic spices.

Middle Eastern cuisines feature chickpeas and herbs.

Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have developed sophisticated food traditions over tens of thousands of years, based on seasonal knowledge, local ecosystems and sustainable harvesting practices unique to each Nation and Country.

Although the ingredients differ, many traditional cuisines share similar values.

Whole foods.

Seasonality.

Practical cooking.

Family meals.

Respect for food.

Traditional Foods Naturally Encourage Variety

Traditional eating patterns rarely relied on one "superfood."

Instead, meals changed throughout the year.

Different vegetables came into season.

Fresh herbs appeared.

Recipes evolved according to local harvests.

This naturally increased dietary diversity without requiring complicated nutrition advice.

Today, nutrition scientists increasingly encourage this same principle.

Healthy eating is strengthened by enjoying a wide variety of whole foods over time.

For more, explore Food Diversity Explained: Why Variety Matters and Why Dietary Diversity Matters More Than Superfoods.

Traditional Foods Continue to Evolve

Making a comeback doesn't mean returning to the past exactly as it was.

Today's kitchens include slow cookers.

Pressure cookers.

Freezers.

Online recipes.

Modern food safety knowledge.

Contemporary nutrition science.

Traditional cooking has adapted alongside these innovations.

The principles remain familiar.

Real ingredients.

Simple preparation.

Shared meals.

Flexible recipes.

Traditional foods have evolved rather than disappeared.

The Broth & Co Perspective

At Broth & Co, we believe traditional foods remain relevant because they're practical.

Bone broth has been prepared across cultures for generations, not because it was fashionable, but because it was versatile, economical and delicious.

Today it continues to fit naturally into modern Australian kitchens, helping families prepare nourishing soups, stews, sauces and everyday meals using real ingredients.

The Bigger Picture

The renewed interest in traditional foods reflects a broader shift towards whole-food eating patterns, home cooking and seasonal ingredients. Across cultures, traditional foods have long been shaped by local agriculture, practical cooking methods and shared family traditions. These eating patterns emphasise variety, flexibility and meals prepared from recognisable ingredients rather than dependence on highly processed products.

Modern nutrition science increasingly supports many of these same principles. Rather than promoting individual "superfoods," contemporary dietary guidance encourages balanced eating patterns built around a wide variety of whole foods. The growing popularity of traditional foods demonstrates how timeless food wisdom and modern nutritional understanding can complement one another.

Key Takeaways

·       Traditional foods are becoming increasingly popular again.

·       Whole-food ingredients remain central to traditional cooking.

·       Every culture has valuable traditional food knowledge.

·       Traditional foods naturally encourage dietary diversity.

·       Modern technology has made traditional cooking easier, not obsolete.

·       Home cooking and seasonal eating continue to shape healthy eating.

·       Traditional food wisdom and modern nutrition science often support similar principles.

Why Traditional Foods Still Make Sense Today

If traditional foods have existed for thousands of years, why are they attracting renewed interest now?

One reason is that modern nutrition science is increasingly studying dietary patterns rather than individual foods.

Instead of asking,

"Is this one ingredient healthy?"

Researchers now ask,

"What do healthy eating patterns have in common?"

The answer often points back to many of the same principles that traditional food cultures have followed for generations.

Whole foods.

Seasonal eating.

Dietary diversity.

Home cooking.

Shared meals.

Traditional foods aren't becoming popular simply because they're nostalgic.

They're returning because many of their underlying principles continue to make sense.

Traditional Foods Are Built Around Whole Ingredients

Traditional recipes usually begin with recognisable foods.

Fresh vegetables.

Fruit.

Legumes.

Whole grains.

Fresh herbs.

Nuts.

Seeds.

Quality protein.

Meals are generally prepared from ingredients rather than manufactured products.

Modern dietary guidelines continue to encourage this same approach because whole foods naturally contribute to balanced eating patterns.

For more, read The Food Matrix Explained: Why Whole Foods Are More Than the Sum of Their Nutrients.

Seasonal Eating Never Went Out of Fashion

Before refrigeration and global food transport, people naturally ate according to the seasons.

Fresh tomatoes in summer.

Pumpkins in autumn.

Citrus in winter.

Asparagus in spring.

Although supermarkets now offer many foods year-round, seasonal produce often remains fresher, more abundant and inspires greater variety in the kitchen.

Modern Australians are increasingly rediscovering the value of letting the seasons guide their meals.

Learn more in Why Seasonal Eating Still Makes Sense Today.

Traditional Foods Encourage Dietary Diversity

Traditional meals rarely relied on eating the same ingredients every day.

Different vegetables appeared throughout the year.

Wild herbs changed with the seasons.

Recipes evolved according to local harvests.

This naturally encouraged dietary diversity.

Today, nutrition science recognises dietary diversity as one of the defining characteristics of balanced eating patterns.

Healthy diets are built through many foods working together rather than one "superfood."

Read more in Why Dietary Diversity Matters More Than Superfoods.

Traditional Foods Help Build Food Literacy

Preparing traditional recipes teaches practical skills.

Shopping for seasonal produce.

Preparing vegetables.

Using herbs.

Cooking grains.

Making soups.

Adapting recipes.

Reducing waste.

These are all examples of food literacy.

The more people cook, the more confident they become.

Healthy eating gradually feels simpler because practical skills replace uncertainty.

Explore this further in Food Literacy Explained: Why Knowing How to Eat Matters.

Traditional Foods Make the Most of Every Ingredient

Across cultures, traditional kitchens have always been resourceful.

Vegetable scraps became stock.

Leftovers became tomorrow's lunch.

Bones became broth.

Extra herbs flavoured new dishes.

This practical approach reduced waste while stretching ingredients further.

Today, these same ideas support conversations around sustainability and responsible food systems.

Traditional wisdom often aligns remarkably well with modern thinking.

Traditional Foods Fit Busy Modern Lives

Some people assume traditional cooking requires hours in the kitchen.

Modern technology has changed that.

Pressure cookers.

Slow cookers.

Freezers.

Batch cooking.

Freeze-dried ingredients.

Convenient pantry staples.

These innovations allow traditional recipes to fit contemporary lifestyles without losing their whole-food foundations.

Traditional cooking hasn't become less relevant.

It's become more accessible.

The Broth & Co Perspective

At Broth & Co, we believe traditional foods remain popular because they continue to solve modern problems.

Families still want simple meals.

Versatile ingredients.

Seasonal recipes.

Practical cooking.

Bone broth provides a flexible foundation that supports all of these goals while fitting comfortably into busy Australian households.

Cook What You've Just Learned

Bring traditional cooking into your modern kitchen.

Classic Bone Broth Vegetable Soup

Seasonal vegetables simmered in Australian grass-fed bone broth.

Slow-Cooked Mediterranean Bean Stew

Cannellini beans, tomatoes and herbs inspired by generations of home cooking.

Pumpkin & Native Herb Soup

Australian pumpkin paired with lemon myrtle and bone broth.

One-Pot Chicken & Vegetable Casserole

A practical family meal built around simple whole-food ingredients.

The Bigger Picture

Traditional foods continue to resonate because many of their core principles align closely with modern nutrition science. Whole foods, seasonal eating, dietary diversity, home cooking and practical food preparation remain central to balanced dietary patterns. These habits evolved naturally across cultures and continue to provide flexible approaches to healthy eating in contemporary life.

As Australians increasingly seek practical ways to prepare nourishing meals, traditional foods offer a valuable bridge between historical food wisdom and modern convenience. Rather than representing the past, they demonstrate how timeless cooking principles can continue supporting healthy eating into the future.

Key Takeaways

·       Traditional foods are supported by many modern nutrition principles.

·       Whole-food ingredients remain the foundation of balanced eating.

·       Seasonal eating naturally increases dietary diversity.

·       Traditional cooking strengthens food literacy.

·       Resourceful cooking helps reduce food waste.

·       Modern technology has made traditional cooking easier.

·       Traditional foods continue to fit contemporary Australian lifestyles.

Why a New Generation Is Rediscovering Traditional Foods

Interestingly, many of the people driving the return of traditional foods didn't grow up cooking them.

Instead, they're discovering them for the first time.

Young families are learning to bake sourdough.

Home cooks are experimenting with bone broth.

People are growing herbs.

Visiting farmers' markets.

Cooking seasonal meals.

Learning family recipes.

This renewed interest isn't about recreating history.

It's about finding practical ways to eat well in a modern world.

People Want to Know Where Food Comes From

Consumers today are increasingly interested in food origins.

Who grew it?

How was it produced?

Is it seasonal?

Is it Australian?

Can I cook it myself?

Traditional foods naturally encourage these questions because they're closely connected to ingredients rather than packaged products.

Food becomes something we understand—not simply something we buy.

Social Media Is Helping Preserve Food Traditions

Although social media is often associated with food trends, it has also helped preserve traditional cooking.

Family recipes are shared online.

Grandparents demonstrate cooking techniques.

Regional dishes reach global audiences.

Native Australian ingredients gain wider recognition.

People discover recipes from cultures they may never have encountered otherwise.

Technology is helping traditional food knowledge reach new generations.

Australia's Food Future Is Built on Many Traditions

Australia's modern food culture continues to draw inspiration from diverse sources.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food knowledge.

Mediterranean cooking.

Asian cuisines.

Middle Eastern flavours.

European baking.

Pacific traditions.

Rather than replacing one another, these influences continue shaping a uniquely Australian way of eating.

This diversity is one of Australia's greatest strengths.

For more, read Traditional Foods in Modern Australia.

Traditional Foods Support Community

One of the strongest characteristics of traditional food cultures is connection.

People cook together.

Share recipes.

Celebrate harvests.

Eat with family.

Pass knowledge between generations.

Food becomes much more than nutrition.

It becomes part of community life.

This remains just as valuable today.

Traditional Foods Inspire Better Cooking

Preparing traditional recipes often teaches practical kitchen skills.

Making soup.

Roasting vegetables.

Preparing grains.

Using herbs.

Cooking legumes.

These techniques become the building blocks for hundreds of future meals.

Traditional foods therefore improve not only what people eat today, but also what they are able to cook tomorrow.

The Broth & Co Perspective

At Broth & Co, we see traditional foods as living traditions rather than historical artefacts.

Every time someone prepares a homemade soup.

Uses seasonal vegetables.

Experiments with native herbs.

Or shares a family recipe.

Traditional food culture continues.

Modern Australian kitchens have the opportunity to preserve timeless cooking principles while embracing new ingredients and ideas.

Cook What You've Just Learned

Rediscover traditional favourites with these Broth & Co recipes.

Traditional Australian Beef & Vegetable Soup

Mediterranean Lentil & Herb Stew

Native Australian Pumpkin Soup

Japanese-Inspired Mushroom & Greens Bone Broth Bowl

Each recipe demonstrates how traditional cooking continues evolving while remaining grounded in simple whole-food ingredients.

The Bigger Picture

The renewed popularity of traditional foods reflects changing consumer priorities that increasingly value whole foods, cooking skills, cultural heritage and seasonal ingredients. Younger generations are combining modern technology with traditional cooking practices, helping preserve recipes while adapting them for contemporary lifestyles. This blend of innovation and tradition allows food cultures to evolve without losing their core principles.

Australia is uniquely positioned to benefit from this movement because of its rich First Nations food knowledge, multicultural population and diverse agricultural landscape. Together, these influences continue shaping a food culture that values both history and innovation while supporting practical, whole-food approaches to healthy eating.

Why Traditional Foods Offer More Than Just Good Nutrition

One of the reasons traditional foods continue to resonate is that they provide something modern diets sometimes overlook.

They connect us.

To family.

To culture.

To place.

To seasons.

To community.

And to the simple pleasure of preparing and sharing a meal.

Nutrition is certainly important.

But food has always been about much more than nutrients alone.

Traditional food cultures remind us that eating well is also about experience.

Traditional Foods Tell Stories

Every traditional recipe has a history.

A soup passed from one generation to the next.

A family casserole served every winter.

A seasonal fruit picked each summer.

A native ingredient gathered according to Country and local knowledge.

Food becomes a way of preserving culture.

Recipes carry memories.

Cooking techniques preserve knowledge.

Meals become part of family identity.

This is one reason traditional foods remain meaningful long after fashions change.

Traditional Foods Bring People Together

Across almost every culture, important moments happen around food.

Family dinners.

Community celebrations.

Harvest festivals.

Religious gatherings.

Neighbourhood barbecues.

Holiday meals.

Food creates opportunities for conversation, learning and connection.

Modern research increasingly recognises that eating together may support healthier eating habits because shared meals often encourage home cooking, greater dietary variety and more mindful eating.

Traditional food cultures have understood this for generations.

Traditional Foods Encourage Seasonal Living

Traditional recipes naturally followed the rhythm of the seasons.

Summer celebrated fresh salads and fruit.

Autumn welcomed pumpkins and mushrooms.

Winter inspired soups and slow-cooked meals.

Spring brought fresh herbs and leafy greens.

This seasonal rhythm kept meals varied while encouraging appreciation for what nature provided throughout the year.

Today, seasonal eating remains one of the simplest ways to enjoy greater food diversity.

Explore this further in Why Seasonal Eating Still Makes Sense Today.

Traditional Foods Help Preserve Cooking Skills

Many traditional recipes teach valuable kitchen techniques.

Making soup.

Roasting vegetables.

Preparing legumes.

Using herbs.

Slow cooking.

Reducing food waste.

These aren't simply recipes.

They're practical life skills.

Every time someone prepares a traditional meal, those skills continue to be passed forward.

This is one reason traditional foods remain central to food literacy.

Traditional Foods Can Adapt

One of the biggest myths about traditional cooking is that it never changes.

In reality, traditional recipes have always evolved.

Ingredients become available.

Families substitute local produce.

Cooking equipment improves.

New techniques emerge.

Today's kitchens include pressure cookers, slow cookers and convenient pantry staples.

Traditional principles remain the same.

The methods continue to evolve.

Healthy eating doesn't require preserving recipes exactly as they were.

It means preserving the values behind them.

The Broth & Co Perspective

At Broth & Co, we believe traditional foods continue to matter because they encourage people to cook.

To experiment.

To use seasonal ingredients.

To prepare meals from scratch.

Bone broth reflects these same values.

It provides a practical foundation for soups, stews, sauces and family meals while fitting comfortably into busy Australian lifestyles.

Tradition doesn't stand still.

It grows with every generation.

Cook What You've Just Learned

Celebrate timeless cooking traditions with these Broth & Co recipes.

Traditional Australian Beef & Vegetable Soup

Australian grass-fed beef, seasonal vegetables and slow-simmered bone broth.

Mediterranean White Bean & Herb Soup

Cannellini beans, rosemary and tomatoes inspired by traditional Mediterranean kitchens.

Native Australian Pumpkin & Lemon Myrtle Soup

A modern Australian recipe celebrating seasonal produce and native flavours.

Japanese-Inspired Mushroom & Greens Broth

Fresh mushrooms, leafy greens and savoury bone broth.

Family Slow-Cooked Lamb Casserole

A comforting meal inspired by generations of home cooking.

The Bigger Picture

Traditional foods remain relevant because they provide benefits that extend beyond nutrition alone. They preserve cultural knowledge, strengthen food literacy, encourage seasonal eating and bring people together through shared cooking and meals. These qualities have supported healthy food cultures for generations and continue to offer valuable lessons for modern households.

As contemporary lifestyles become increasingly busy, traditional foods demonstrate that healthy eating can remain simple, flexible and deeply connected to everyday life. Rather than representing the past, they continue evolving alongside modern families while maintaining the timeless principles that have always underpinned good cooking.

Key Takeaways

·       Traditional foods preserve cultural knowledge and family traditions.

·       Shared meals strengthen social and cultural connections.

·       Seasonal cooking naturally increases dietary diversity.

·       Traditional recipes help pass practical cooking skills between generations.

·       Traditional foods continue to evolve alongside modern lifestyles.

·       Home cooking remains one of the strongest foundations of healthy eating.

·       Traditional food values remain highly relevant today.

The Future of Healthy Eating May Look Surprisingly Familiar

Nutrition continues to evolve.

New discoveries are made every year.

Scientists continue learning about the microbiome.

The food matrix.

Dietary patterns.

Healthy ageing.

Personalised nutrition.

Yet despite these advances, one message continues to appear again and again.

Healthy eating is rarely about chasing the newest food.

It's about building consistent habits around real food.

This is exactly what traditional food cultures have demonstrated for generations.

The Best Food Ideas Stand the Test of Time

Many food trends appear briefly before disappearing.

Traditional foods are different.

They've remained part of human diets because they continue to work.

Soups.

Stews.

Seasonal vegetables.

Legumes.

Fresh herbs.

Whole grains.

Fermented foods.

Bone broth.

These foods have crossed generations, cultures and continents because they are practical, adaptable and enjoyable.

Tradition and Innovation Can Work Together

Healthy eating doesn't require choosing between the past and the future.

Modern science helps explain why balanced dietary patterns matter.

Traditional food cultures show us how to build them.

Technology makes cooking easier.

Nutrition research improves our understanding.

Traditional recipes provide the practical foundation.

Together they create a modern approach that is both evidence-informed and deeply connected to real food.

Australia's Food Future Is Bright

Australia is uniquely positioned to benefit from this renewed appreciation of traditional foods.

We have:

·       one of the world's oldest continuous food cultures through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

·       extraordinary agricultural diversity

·       access to fresh seasonal produce

·       a vibrant multicultural population

·       growing interest in native Australian ingredients

·       world-class nutrition research

Together, these strengths create exciting opportunities for future Australian food culture.

Real Food Never Goes Out of Style

Perhaps that's the greatest lesson traditional foods teach us.

Healthy eating doesn't need constant reinvention.

Simple ingredients.

Thoughtful cooking.

Seasonal produce.

Shared meals.

Dietary diversity.

Food literacy.

These principles remain just as valuable today as they were generations ago.

The ingredients may change.

The kitchens may change.

The principles remain remarkably consistent.

Where Bone Broth Fits

Bone broth has quietly remained part of traditional kitchens across many cultures because it is practical, versatile and economical.

Today it continues serving the same purpose.

It brings vegetables together.

Adds depth to soups.

Creates nourishing sauces.

Supports slow-cooked meals.

Provides a flexible base for seasonal cooking.

Its role hasn't fundamentally changed.

It simply fits modern kitchens more conveniently than ever.

The Broth & Co Perspective

At Broth & Co, we don't see traditional foods as a passing trend.

We see them as timeless.

Our goal is to make traditional whole-food cooking practical for modern Australian families by combining the wisdom of slow cooking with the convenience of today's lifestyles.

Healthy eating isn't about going backwards.

It's about taking the best ideas from the past and carrying them confidently into the future.

Cook What You've Just Learned

Bring timeless food traditions into your everyday cooking.

Classic Bone Broth Vegetable Soup

Mediterranean Lentil & Herb Stew

Native Australian Pumpkin Soup with Lemon Myrtle

Japanese Mushroom & Greens Bone Broth Bowl

Slow-Cooked Family Beef Casserole

These recipes combine traditional cooking principles with fresh Australian ingredients, creating meals that are both timeless and practical.

The Bigger Picture

The renewed popularity of traditional foods reflects a growing appreciation for whole foods, practical cooking skills and balanced dietary patterns. While nutrition science continues to advance, many of the principles shared across traditional food cultures—including seasonal eating, dietary diversity, home cooking and food literacy—remain strongly aligned with contemporary recommendations for healthy eating.

Australia's combination of First Nations knowledge, multicultural food traditions and abundant local produce provides a unique opportunity to build a modern food culture that values both innovation and heritage. By embracing traditional foods in contemporary ways, Australians can enjoy meals that are nourishing, culturally meaningful and well suited to modern lifestyles.

Key Takeaways

·       Traditional foods continue to provide practical lessons for modern healthy eating.

·       Real food remains more enduring than short-lived nutrition trends.

·       Traditional wisdom and modern science complement one another.

·       Australia's unique food culture draws strength from many traditions.

·       Seasonal eating, dietary diversity and food literacy remain timeless principles.

·       Bone broth continues to be a versatile foundation for whole-food cooking.

·       The future of healthy eating is likely to be built on many of the same principles that have guided traditional kitchens for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are traditional foods becoming popular again?

Many people are rediscovering traditional foods because they are built around whole ingredients, practical cooking methods, seasonal produce and balanced eating patterns. Modern nutrition science increasingly supports many of these same principles.

Are traditional foods healthier than modern foods?

Traditional foods are not automatically healthier, but many traditional eating patterns emphasise whole foods, home cooking and dietary diversity, all of which align with current healthy eating recommendations.

Can traditional foods fit into a busy lifestyle?

Yes. Modern appliances such as slow cookers, pressure cookers and convenient pantry staples make it easier than ever to prepare traditional-style meals while maintaining busy schedules.

Why do traditional foods matter beyond nutrition?

Traditional foods preserve cultural knowledge, strengthen family traditions, build cooking skills and encourage shared meals. They contribute to food literacy as well as healthy eating.

How does bone broth fit into traditional cooking?

Bone broth has been used across many cultures as a practical base for soups, stews, sauces and slow-cooked meals. Today it remains a versatile ingredient that supports whole-food cooking using seasonal vegetables, herbs and quality proteins.

Continue Exploring

Continue exploring traditional food wisdom with these Broth & Co Academy articles:

·       Traditional Foods in Modern Australia

·       Traditional Diets Explained: What Modern Nutrition Can Learn From the Past

·       Australia's First Food Traditions: What They Can Teach Us About Healthy Eating

·       Native Australian Foods Explained

·       Cooking With Native Australian Ingredients

·       Eating Closer to Nature: Lessons From Traditional Food Systems

·       Why Seasonal Eating Still Makes Sense Today

·       Food Diversity Explained: Why Variety Matters

·       Food Literacy Explained: Why Knowing How to Eat Matters

·       Food Systems Explained: Why Healthy Eating Is About More Than Individual Foods

·       Bone Broth Benefits: The Complete Evidence-Based Guide

Traditional foods are making a comeback because they continue to offer something people have always valued: simple ingredients, practical cooking, seasonal variety and meals that bring people together. As nutrition science advances, it increasingly reinforces many of these timeless principles, suggesting that the future of healthy eating may not require reinventing food—it may simply require rediscovering the wisdom already found in traditional kitchens.

Explore Broth & Co

·       Shop Broth & Co bone broth collection

·       Shop BC Beauty Collagen Peptides

·       Shop Broth & Co Wellness Nutrition

Read Australia's first publicly available clinical study of an Australian bone broth investigating digestive health to learn more about Broth & Co's research.