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Secrets of bacon sandwiches’ winning taste, smell revealed
entertainmentandshowbiz ^
| Apr 14 2009
| ranjankul
Posted on 04/14/2009 5:09:31 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Bacon sandwiches derive that winning combination of taste and smell from a complex chemical interaction in the meat, according to a study.
Elin Roberts, science communications manager at the Centre for Life education centre in Newcastle, attributes the appeal of the bacon sandwich to the reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat.
According to her, the chemical changes occurring while the bacon is heated are more important than other variables, such as brown sauce distribution or toaster settings.
She describes this reaction as the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between an amino acid and a reducing sugar which often requires heat.
The researcher has learnt that the acid and sugar react to release a huge amount of smells and flavours.
“The smell of sizzling bacon in a pan is enough to tempt even the staunchest of vegetarians. There’s something deeper going on inside. It’s not just the idea of a tasty snack. There is some complex chemistry going on,” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.
“Meat is made of mostly protein and water. Inside the protein, it’s made up of building blocks we call amino acids. But also, you need some fat. Anyone who’s been on a diet knows if you take all the fat from the meat, it just doesn’t taste the same. We need some of the fat to give it the flavour.
“Fats mean that there are some reducing sugars in there as well. When it’s really hot - that’s when the Maillard reaction starts,” she added.
While the chemical reaction releases hundreds of smells and flavours, Elin says that it is the smell that reels in the eater.
“Smell and taste are really closely linked. If we couldn’t smell then taste wouldn’t be the same,” she said. (ANI)
TOPICS: Food
KEYWORDS: bacon
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To: JoeProBono
21
posted on
04/14/2009 5:44:42 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: JoeProBono
22
posted on
04/14/2009 5:45:16 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: trisham
23
posted on
04/14/2009 5:45:44 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: All
24
posted on
04/14/2009 5:48:01 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
That’s a Paula Dean dish!!!
25
posted on
04/14/2009 5:48:10 AM PDT
by
geege
To: JoeProBono
26
posted on
04/14/2009 5:49:40 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: JoeProBono
27
posted on
04/14/2009 5:51:26 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: JoeProBono
Green leafy stuff should never be allowed on a pizza.
But that crust looks perfect.
28
posted on
04/14/2009 5:52:30 AM PDT
by
savedbygrace
(You are only leading if someone follows. Otherwise, you just wandered off... [Smokin' Joe])
To: geege
29
posted on
04/14/2009 5:52:47 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: savedbygrace
Better?
30
posted on
04/14/2009 5:54:24 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
31
posted on
04/14/2009 5:54:30 AM PDT
by
Joe 6-pack
(Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
To: JoeProBono
You missed the Bacon Explosion, a barbequed bacon sausage thing. And barbequed means slow-cooked over low heat with wood smoke, for you Northerners who think "barbequed" means "grilled"
32
posted on
04/14/2009 5:54:47 AM PDT
by
FreedomPoster
(Obama: Carter's only chance to avoid going down in history as the worst U.S. president ever.)
To: JoeProBono
33
posted on
04/14/2009 5:56:29 AM PDT
by
savedbygrace
(You are only leading if someone follows. Otherwise, you just wandered off... [Smokin' Joe])
To: JoeProBono
Just because of you I had to run down to the diner up the street and get a bacon & egg sandwich.
I hope you are happy mister!
34
posted on
04/14/2009 5:57:10 AM PDT
by
Constitution Day
(Where is our Lieutenant Robert Maynard?)
To: FreedomPoster
35
posted on
04/14/2009 5:57:29 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
Butter....10 Times right?
36
posted on
04/14/2009 5:57:31 AM PDT
by
geege
To: Joe 6-pack
37
posted on
04/14/2009 6:00:29 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
There is but one word to describe this ode to Bacon: YUMMY!!!!!! Except on the Bacon and Peanutbutter Sandwich - My version - I add a bit of Fluffernutter on top of the sandwich. My husband thinks I should be committed for committing this culinary crime. Well, what can I say: he is an American of Chinese descent and he says: Fluffernutter and Pork are not meant for each other!!!!!/Just Asking - seoul62......
38
posted on
04/14/2009 6:01:31 AM PDT
by
seoul62
To: JoeProBono
reducing sugars in the fatCool! The reducing sugars cancel the fat so now bacon is diet food. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
39
posted on
04/14/2009 6:02:42 AM PDT
by
bgill
(The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
To: savedbygrace
Yo
40
posted on
04/14/2009 6:04:30 AM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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