Kitchen — ingredient identification

Identify your groceries with no button to press, read labels (nutrition facts, expiration date, allergens) and follow a recipe by voice with Lumyeye.

Sample transcript and context

A 78-year-old user cooks with Lumyeye in her kitchen. It is one of the simplest and most useful workflows in the app: identifying items in the pantry and fridge without having to take them out for a sighted helper to read.

Sequence one: she photographs a can pulled blindly from the cupboard. Lumyeye replies in under a second: "Tuna in spring water, 140 g drained." The label is read aloud: nutrition values, expiration date (March 15, 2027), any allergens.

Sequence two: a piece of fruit on the counter. She takes a photo. Lumyeye says: "A mandarin." The app also detects bruised or overripe fruit and flags it spontaneously — a detail appreciated by users who want to avoid using a spoiled item.

Last sequence: she photographs the full set of ingredients on the counter. Lumyeye lists what it sees and suggests three possible recipes built from those ingredients. Perfect for cooking with what's on hand without asking anyone to call out items.

Frequently asked questions

Cooking, recipes, safety — your questions.

Does Lumyeye offer recipes adapted to low-vision users?

Yes. The app reads recipes aloud step by step on request, with practical visual substitutes (a tablespoon of oil equals a three-second pour from a bottle, a pinch equals a one-second shake). For cooking timers, say "set an 11-minute timer": a countdown starts and the end is announced aloud, hands-free.

How do I read precision measurements (grams, milliliters)?

Point your iPhone at the screen of your kitchen scale and Lumyeye reads the value aloud. For ungraduated utensils, the app provides practical equivalents (a teaspoon of salt equals about 5 g).

Does Lumyeye detect cooking hazards (flame, smoke)?

No. Lumyeye is not a safety device and never replaces a certified smoke detector. For kitchen safety, fit a certified smoke alarm and a gas detector if needed. Lumyeye focuses on reading, identifying and describing on demand.

Can I read an expiration date with Lumyeye?

Yes. Photograph the product label and Lumyeye reads the expiration date aloud, along with the ingredient list and allergens. Keeping your own pantry inventory (for example dictated into Notes via Siri) is up to you — Lumyeye does not remember your cupboard and does not send scheduled alerts.

Testimonial

Genevieve, 79, home cook.

"I ran an amateur food blog for fifteen years. When my atrophic AMD got worse, I thought I'd have to give up everyday cooking — and it was a painful loss of identity. With Lumyeye, I still cook for my grandchildren on Sundays. The app even taught me a new citrus tartare recipe by suggesting three dishes from the ingredients I'd pulled out. My daughters say I cook better than before."
— Genevieve, 79, severe atrophic AMD

Practical tips

Cook independently with Lumyeye.

Add tactile labels to your jars. For clear jars (rice, pasta, beans, flour), add a raised label: Lumyeye combines physical labels with visual recognition of the contents for double-checked identification.
Establish a pre-recipe routine. Before you start, photograph every ingredient laid out on the counter: Lumyeye checks that nothing is missing, suggests a recipe and reads steps one by one on request.
Double-check critical doses. For salt, sugar, chili or cooking alcohol, always ask "Lumyeye, read the quantity again." The app repeats slowly, digit by digit, with confirmation.
Start a timer without touching the screen. For cooking times, just say "Lumyeye, set a 12-minute timer": the countdown starts and the end is announced aloud. Handy when your hands are busy or covered in flour. You can run several timers in parallel (cooking + resting dough, for example).
Photograph the pantry for inventory. Whenever you like, photograph the inside of the cupboard or fridge: Lumyeye reads what it sees, identifies products and reads visible expiration dates aloud. It's up to you to note what's missing on a shopping list (Notes via Siri works well).
Keep a recipe by email. When Lumyeye Pro suggests a recipe from your ingredients, say "email me this recipe". Handy to retrieve later, print in large type, or share with someone close to you.