Chemical reaction that explains the appeal of the bacon sandwich (Scientific Breakthrough!)

Daily Telegraph ^ | April 06 2009 | Daily Telegraph

[GOPGuide]

It is a simple pleasure for millions of hungry Britons but researchers have uncovered the science behind the enduring appeal of the bacon sandwich.

A complex chemical interaction in the meat is what produces the winning combination of taste and smell in a bacon buttie, according to an expert.

The reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat is what provides the simple snack with its appeal, according to Elin Roberts, science communications manager at the Centre for Life education centre in Newcastle.

She explained that the chemical changes that take place when the bacon is heated are more important than other variables such as brown sauce distribution or toaster settings.

At the centre of it all is the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between an amino acid and a reducing sugar which often requires heat. The acid and sugar react to release a huge amount of smells and flavours.

Ms Roberts said:: "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.

"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."

She added: "Fats mean that there are some reducing sugars in there as well. When it's really hot – that's when the Maillard reaction starts."

[NowApproachingMidnight]

munchies

[frankiep]

Bacon is nature’s perfect food. Period.

[G8 Diplomat]

Hey. I like all other meat and PETA can stuff it ;-)

[Sender]

If I am ever shot in the head, please, please, feed me a bacon sandwich. My living will.

[SouthTexas]

Grandson knows of my fondness for bacon, but I don’t think he’d eat breakfast at my house if I bought one of his pigs.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Am I wrong to think these "researchers" were just looking for reasons to spend taxpayer money to eat TLBs all day?

I wonder if they need a research assistant?

[tubebender]

The bacon in the photo looks closer to ham. What do they put on their bacon buttie? Is that pickled beets next to the sandwich...

[SouthTexas]

The store where I get breakfast smokes there own. It will drive you crazy if you walk in there while they are packaging!

[skinkinthegrass]

Ahhhh, bacon!

agree...Bacon, an honorary Vegetable.

"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators." - P. J. O'Rourke
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually, run out of other people’s money.” - Margaret Thatcher
"There are two sets of rules. One set for the rulers and another for the rest of us." —Richard Yancey, former IRS tax collector

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I’m now hungry for a BLT with home grown tomatoes!

Toast.
Mustard.
Tomatoes!
Lettice (optional)
BACON! piled high.
Toast.

Ambrosia!

[skinkinthegrass]

LOL! :D

[cybervyk]

Am I wrong to think these "researchers" were just looking for reasons to spend taxpayer money to eat TLBs all day?

I guess Gordon Brown's not the only one wasting English tax money.

[SouthTexas]

Now that’s a classic!

[OneWingedShark]

>Meat is murder...tasty tasty murder.

Indeed so!

And, on the subject of pork:
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/Pork/

[BufordP]

BACON!

[Star Traveler]

I’m a full-fledged member of PETA... (People for Eating Tasty Animals)...

[Ditter]

I had a BLT for lunch today. I think it is the salty taste of the bacon with the cool fresh tomato and the tart mayo. No telling what these goofy Brits put on their sammich.

[dalereed]

“I don’t like bacon.”

Rag head!!!

[djf]

http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/cat_steve_dont_eat_it.php

Scroll down to read his experience with Beggin Strips

I still laugh my azz of when I read the stuff this guy did!

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

What if we combine this study with the one from about two weeks ago, where the attractiveness of a man driving a £170,000 Bentley vs. the same guy in a £2500 Ford Festiva was studied in great depth? For this exercise, assume that a woman sees a man driving a £170,000 Bentley and cooking a bacon “buttie” when her amino acids are stimulated. Alternatively, suppose the Ford Festiva driver is cooking bacon and emitting bacon dioxide whilst the Bentley driver is not.

Question: Would the sensory stimulation provided by the odor of the cooking bacon be sufficient in a statistically significant number of cases to overcome the woman’s prediliction for men driving £170,000 Bentleys?

Discuss amongst yourselves.