Taste & Smell – the chemical senses

David Jackson & www.meetforeal.com

Galway City Museum 26th September 2009

Welcome & Introduction

• David Jackson• www.meetforeal.com

Today’s session• Taste & Smell – the chemical senses• How do we taste & smell?• The Psychology of Taste• Molecular Gastronomy

Ice Breaker…

Find Somebody who….

Taste & Smell

The Chemical Senses

Taste & Smell - The chemical senses

Exercise 1

To demonstrate the chemical nature of the sense of smell…

A = Dimethyl Sulphide

DescriptorsSweetcorn, Tomato Sauce, Cooked Vegetables

Present in above and a wide range of foods

Chemical Structure

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

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B = Isovaleric Acid

DescriptorsPutrid, Cheese, Sweaty Socks

Found in a number of foods including parmesan cheese

Chemical Structure

D = Isoamyl Acetate

DescriptorsPeardrop, banana, fruity, candy cigarettes

Present in ripe pears, other fruits and a range of fermented products such as beer and wine

Chemical Structure

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C = Water (Control)

Why include a control?

Taste & Smell - compare with other senses

Sense Stimulant Receptor Function Language Art Form Sight Light Eyes Motion

Communication Written language Sign language

Painting Photography

Hearing Sound waves Ears Communication

Spoken language

Music

Touch Physical pressure

Skin Prevent injury Reproduction

Braille ?

Smell Volatile (Aroma) Chemicals

Olfactory organs (Nose)

Find food Prevent poisoning

? Perfumery?

Taste Non-Volatile (Taste) Chemicals

Tongue & Palette

Find Food Prevent poisoning

? Cooking?

How do we taste & smell?

The Physiology of Taste

Exercise 2

blind taste exercise with nose clips!!

Flavour Perception Sense Organs

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Texture/mouthfeel

Olfactory Organs (Smell)

Uvula

Taste Organ (Tongue)

Texture & Mouthfeel Perception

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• Trigeminal Nerve carries touch/feel sensations from mouth to brain

• Size & Structure• Viscosity/Thickness• Crisp/Crunchy• Creaminess• Hot & Cold Sensations• Pain Sensations• Chilli is detected via Hot

sensors• Menthol is detected via

cold sensors

Psychology of Taste & Smell

Psychology of Taste & Smell

Exercise 3

• Discussion of the smell or aroma that you like or dislike

• What are the common themes in

your group?

Psychology of Taste & Smell

• Learning to like flavour…

• Learning to dislike/reject flavour…

• How to get your kids to like vegetables?

• Nature vs Nurture debate

Molecular Gastronomy

Molecular Gastronomy

• Food Science & Gastronomy

• El Bulli – Food Laboratory, Not a Kitchen

• Using technology available in food industry, but in small scale. Examples

• Novel food additives such as emulsifiers,thickeners, foaming agents

• Novel technologies such as low pressuredistillation, freeze drying

• El Bulli video clip – give some ideas