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In food packaging, color matters

Research suggests that darker tones in food packaging are associated with healthier choices, while light tones may be perceived as less tasty. The study tested consumer reactions to packaged products of varying colors, finding that health-conscious individuals were more likely to associate light colors with inferior taste.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 4, 2016

Science shows cheese can make wine taste better

A scientific study published in the Journal of Food Science found that consuming cheese while drinking wine increased how much someone liked the wine. The study used a new sensory evaluation method and found that four cheeses improved the description and preference of different wines, with no negative impact on preference.

SourceInstitute of Food Technologists·JournalJournal of Food Science·DateOct 19, 2016

Sayonara, kudzu bug?

US soybean crop is under threat from the kudzu bug, but research has found that some wild relatives of soybeans have developed resistance to the pest. These adapted plants have built defense mechanisms against pests, including limiting the ability of nymphs to survive.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 17, 2016

Improved knowledge of shelf life of food

A recent study from Aarhus University found that Danes' knowledge of shelf life labels has improved, with 70% correctly identifying the difference between labels. However, many consumers throw away food after the 'best before' date without checking its edibility, highlighting a need for greater awareness and education.

For the love of trash films

A comprehensive empirical investigation into trash films and their audience found that fans enjoy them for ironic viewing stances and appreciation of 'cheap' entertainment. The study also discovered that trash film enthusiasts are predominantly male, enthusiastic film buffs with above-average education.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPoetics·DateAug 3, 2016

Music makes beer taste better

Researchers found that music and packaging design can increase enjoyment of beer. A study involved participants tasting beer with different conditions: no label, label only, or label with matching song. Results showed those with the matching song rated the beer more enjoyable. The study suggests multisensory information influences tast...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 28, 2016

The feel of food

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered a single cell responsible for detecting food texture in fruit flies. This neuron sends signals based on the hardness of food, enabling the fly to determine whether to eat or not. The study also identified a critical protein TMC that plays a key role in mechanosensation.

Gaining a better understanding of the way we taste

A team of Japanese researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the way we taste by studying the structure changes of taste receptor proteins when they bind to taste substances. This change is thought to transmit information from outside the cell, enabling precise analysis of taste substance binding and related processes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 2016

Digesting sweet taste

A study from the Monell Center found that gut enzymes sucrase and maltase are also expressed in sweet taste cells on the tongue, breaking down complex sugars into glucose and fructose. This discovery may lead to the development of non-caloric sweeteners with a better sweet taste.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2016

The geology of wine

The taste of wine is influenced by soil properties, particularly pH, which modify the wine's chemistry. Researchers found a correlation between specific soil characteristics and Pinot Noir vintages in the Willamette Valley.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateApr 26, 2016

Sweet, tasty and healthy -- the new essence of juice?

Researchers at Aarhus University found that adding lime to fruit juice with stevia and β-glucans increases its nutritional value while promoting a sensory experience. The study's results show that the combination of ingredients can balance out the bitter aftertaste of stevia and improve the overall taste.

SourceAarhus University·JournalFood Research International·DateMar 29, 2016

How sweet can you get?

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully made thaumatin, a widely used plant-derived sweetener, even sweeter by substituting acidic amino acids with basic ones. This breakthrough confirms the complex interaction between thaumatin and the sweetness receptor of the tongue.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 23, 2016

Sensory loss affects 94 percent of older adults

A recent study found that sensory loss is a common issue among older adults, affecting 94 percent of those in the US. The most prevalent deficit was decreased sense of taste, with 48% of participants rated as poor. Understanding the underlying causes and developing prevention strategies are crucial for improving quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 18, 2016

Yale team deciphers sugar's siren song

Researchers found that the brain prioritizes calorie intake over taste quality when it comes to sugary foods. The study suggests that the brain has two separate pathways for processing sweetness and energy signals, with calorie-rich foods dominating our desire for sweets.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 25, 2016

Healthy reflections

The study found that mirrors in consumption settings can reduce the perceived tastiness of unhealthy food, leading to lower consumption. The presence of a mirror did not affect the taste of healthy food, suggesting it's only an issue for unhealthy options.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateDec 17, 2015

Peak-end pizza

A Cornell study found that price affects how customers evaluate pizza by focusing on the first slice's taste. When paying $8, diners prioritize the initial impression over the last bite.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Product & Brand Management·DateNov 25, 2015

Low sugar diet makes foods taste sweeter but does not change preferred level of sweetness

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that a low sugar diet can make foods taste sweeter, but does not change an individual's preferred level of sweetness. Despite the difference in sweetness ratings, participants on a reduced sugar diet did not alter their preference for sucrose content.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 25, 2015

Taste bud biomarker forecasts better post-surgery results for some sinusitis patients

A study by Penn Medicine and Monell Chemical Senses Center found a genetic taste receptor linked to improved breathing, reduced infections, and enhanced sleep outcomes for patients undergoing chronic sinus surgery. The discovery may improve treatment selection process and set realistic expectations for patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalInternational Forum of Allergy & Rhinology·DateNov 12, 2015

Fortified against blindness

Researchers developed vitamin A fortified sweet potato varieties to combat blindness in Africa and South-Eastern Asia. Impilo and Purple Sunset are the most promising varieties, offering high beta-carotene content and adaptability to different growing conditions.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 13, 2015

Rutgers tomato reinvented with even more flavor

Researchers at Rutgers University have recreated a classic tomato variety thought to be lost to history, combining nostalgic flavor with modern durability. The new Rutgers tomato boasts improved flavor, earlier ripening, higher yield, and resistance to cracking, making it perfect for home gardeners and farmers alike.