Kansas first plunged into the issue in 1999, when the state board stripped the curriculum standards of virtually any mention of evolution.

Moderates elected in 2000 restored Darwinian theory to the curriculum. The conservatives who took control in 2005 made Kansas the most aggressive challenger to evolution in the nation, by adopting standards that redefined science itself so it is not explicitly limited to natural explanations. — Jodi Wilgoren

FOODS — ORDERING UP A SIDE OF HEALTHY

Dark chocolate and white tea should be big in 2006. So will the flavors of India. Chimichurri, the vinegary sauce from Argentina, could be Best New Condiment.

But one food trend rises above all others. With an aging population, an obesity crisis and a growing appreciation of bolder flavors and artisanal ingredients, American consumers increasingly want products that are perceived as natural, authentic and healthy, food consultants say.

"The move to 'real' food has legs and will be around for quite a while," said Marc Halperin, director of the Center for Culinary Development in San Francisco, where major food companies turn for trends and recipe development.

Interest in healthier, fresher food is in part a function of demographics. Aging baby boomers with palates seasoned by travel and fine dining are looking for food that not only tastes good but might ease their aching joints and weakening organs.

"Companies will definitely continue to invest in 'nutraceuticals' — food as treatment," said Stephanie Childs, a Grocery Manufacturers Association spokeswoman.

Food companies are racing to introduce new products like the antioxidant acia berry from the Amazon, which could make the same kind of splash that pomegranate juice did in 2005. Mars has jumped into the antioxidant game, too, adding plant sterols to dark chocolate to create the CocaVia bar, which the company claims can improve heart health by lowering cholesterol.

Consumers regard healthy as synonymous with natural and authentic, so the category of fresh, minimally processed and organic foods will continue to grow. But just because a food may have organic ingredients doesn't necessarily mean it has health benefits. Cheetos, for instance, now come in a "natural" version, made with organic cornmeal.

The trend is about more than health, anyway. It's also about authenticity. At a recent New York University food seminar featuring the chef Mario Batali and food historian Betty Fussell, panelists declared artisanal bread, hand-crafted salami and homestead cheese the new luxury foods.