INQ-177 | The Science of Flavor

Topic Description:

Why does heating render cilantro flavorless? Is there a difference between natural and artificial flavorings? Why do people spend millions of dollars a year on perfumes and colognes? Taste and smell, two senses which have a profound effect on our daily lives, are nothing more than our bodies’ way of detecting the chemical world around us. During this course, we will examine the science behind these two senses and how our quest for perfect flavor has shaped modern history. Through a series of hands-on exercises, we isolate and identify the source of flavor from a variety of natural sources and then use our knowledge to make our own synthetic scents.

Course Types Offered: On-Campus

Topic Approved: March 2013