Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: neilep on 19/04/2004 16:39:03

Title: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: neilep on 19/04/2004 16:39:03
Most people think that taste is what mostly determines flavour, however, as I have just discovered, the sense of smell with it's own separate receptors, is what primarily determines what we experience as taste. Yes indeedy !! The temperature and texture of yummy food also contributes to the overall flavour. What is weird though, is ones sensitivity to saltiness and bitterness seems to increase as food cools ,where as sensitivity to sweetness increases with heat. For instance, a nice sexy piece of choccy has little flavour when it's cold, it tastes fine at room temperature and is pretty yuckilly sweet and unpleasant when hot or half-melted. Did you know that ?....I didn't !!..but I do now[:D]

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: Exodus on 19/04/2004 23:45:45
quote:
Originally posted by neilep@dsl.pipex.com

Most people think that taste is what mostly determines flavour, however, as I have just discovered, the sense of smell with it's own separate receptors, is what primarily determines what we experience as taste. Yes indeedy !! The temperature and texture of yummy food also contributes to the overall flavour. What is weird though, is ones sensitivity to saltiness and bitterness seems to increase as food cools ,where as sensitivity to sweetness increases with heat. For instance, a nice sexy piece of choccy has little flavour when it's cold, it tastes fine at room temperature and is pretty yuckilly sweet and unpleasant when hot or half-melted. Did you know that ?....I didn't !!..but I do now[:D]

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'


I don't really like chocolate and had never even considered about taste with temperature but now you mention it... i guess it does... weird! (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finstagiber.net%2Fsmiliesdotcom%2Fcwm%2Fcwm%2Fthinkerg.gif&hash=436ca6d45da2848d4b1d3678b1e00d11)

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: neilep on 20/04/2004 00:27:24
Y'know Rich, for a second there I thought you said you don't like chocolate !!!..but I obviously misread it !!!..errr...hang on !!!!.....why...you Heathen !!!(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finstagiber.net%2Fsmiliesdotcom%2Fcontrib%2Fscorchio%2Fsaburn.gif&hash=290b6adc1f4277fed223db2f580f38dd)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.jeeptalk.org%2Fotn%2Fhappy%2F11zwinky.gif&hash=36fc80bcaaa4227eeac94ac7d4058674)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: tweener on 20/04/2004 03:02:48
I don't like milk chocolate.  I like the 70% cocoa stuff where a couple of grams can make your whole day.  A couple of ounces can make your whole night a really wired experience.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: neilep on 20/04/2004 03:14:26
oh boy !!!..you like the hard stuff eh ?....I am a milky choccy lover.....though, based on your experience I'm gonna try and find a dealer who can....errrhmm !!!..supply me with the hard stuff !!(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.jeeptalk.org%2Fups%2Fdvx_rune%2Feye.gif&hash=61ffac32991b7f18ace102785fd85a05)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: tweener on 21/04/2004 04:09:40
There is a limit.  I find that much more than 70% cocoa gets bitter.  Also, different makers use different ratios of cocoa butter and sugar, thus affecting the flavor.  My favorite brand is Chocolove (made in Belgium).  Scharfen-Barger (spelling?) is also very good.  I can't recommend Lindt - too sweet.  The health food stores usually have a good selection.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: sara_scotland on 04/01/2005 16:41:52
Supposedly, your sense of touch is also important in the texture of your food.
I read this on the kitchen science part of the Discovery Channel website (so i think it might be reliable, maybe?)
Anyway, if you rub (or caress, whichever floats your boat) a piece of velvet whilst eating some ice cream it will taste even creamier, but if you rub a piece of sandpaper whilst eating the same ice cream it will feel more sharp in your mouth.
Not sure if I want to try this, but would be interested in hearing from anyone who gave it a go!!

Sara

Is all we see or seem, just a dream within a dream?
Title: Re: Taste buds account for less than 20% of flavour !!
Post by: Predator_X on 11/01/2005 13:09:40
Me too...i dont like chocolates my bros r eating it all day long.