In New Orleans, Louisiana State University Associate Professor Naohiro Kato has created an updated version of his biobased Mardis Gras beads that contain okra seeds.
Many of the 1,500, 3-D printed necklaces Kato’s team produced will be thrown during the 2026 Freret and Tucks parades in New Orleans and the Artemis parade in Baton Rouge.
The beads come in purple, green and gold. They are made from an algal residue that breaks down in soil. Okra was chosen because it is an ingredient in gumbo, a regional favorite.
Ultimately, Kato wants to perfect the design and give it to the public. “We want to let people make their own beads,” Kato said.