Gold Leaf In Suspesion

[tony1941]

Why do the bits of gold leaf in the new sparkly Smirnoff vodka not settle to the bottom - they claim it is real gold leaf, but the SG of gold is vastly more than that of vodka?

[Huderon]

According to the report here http://www.thedrinksreport.com/news/2013/15034-diageo-launches-cinnamon-and-gold-leaf-vodka.html a "unique technology" is used to keep the flakes of gold leaf suspended, but I doubt that the manufacturers are going t say what that technology is any time soon.

[bookbinder]

When I earned my living as a bookbinder, I sometimes used gold leaf to put lettering on books. The gold leaf was supplied in very, very thin sheets. I had to work well away from draughts, as the leaf was so light that the slightest breath of air would lift it and waft it on to the floor. It was thinner and lighter than any tissue paper, so I can well imagine that flakes of gold leaf would not be heavy enough to sink in a liquid, unless you waited for a very long time.

[Hypognosis]

I'm wondering if surface tension forces alone would be enough to dominate the gravitational force on the gold leaf.

Even quite large strips of gold leaf are susceptible to weak forces such as with electrostatics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrometer#Gold-leaf_electrometer

[Valmave]

Have to say I am not happy about metal flakes passing through my liver.

[Hypognosis]

//Have to say I am not happy about metal flakes passing through my liver. //

Fortunately, they won't even get across the lining of your gut.

I'd like to know how the sewage works will respond to this novel contaminant though.

[Huderon]

There is nothing new about gold flakes in an alcoholic beverage, or people eating gold. Goldschläger was made in Switzerland until the 1990s, and Goldwasser originated in Poland and has been produced there since at least 1598.

Greeks, Romans and Egyptians used it in food, and it's still in use in foods today.

[theprof]

It's likely the vodka contains a deacylated or low-acyl gellan gum amongst other ingredients. This would allow the flakes to remain suspended in the vodka virtually indefinitely. The gel cannot be detected by normal means such as taste or smell nor by the vodka viscosity. Such gums have been used in the food and cosmetics industry for many years. Incidentally, the gums have also been used in many a laboratory prank in research labs and universities.

As Hypognosis says, the gold flakes won't get further than you alimentary canal so they are no threat to the liver.

[THECORBYLOON]

This link seems to confirm what THEPROF says http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20120107468

[DaisyNonna]

Not a problem for me. I loathe vodka.