
The Science Behind Taste
What do we actually know about our tongue’s ability to taste flavor? As we continue to learn more about our ability to taste, researches are able to develop new terms and classifications to describe flavor.

Flavor Safety: Myth vs. Fact
November 1, 2017
By FEMA Staff
We know flavors and flavor ingredients can seem a bit confusing, and consumers are curious how these materials’ safety is evaluated. We’ve compiled a short list of common misconceptions and facts about FEMA and flavor safety. Check them out below.
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Myth: Americans must rely solely on the food industry for the safety of flavors in food and beverages

How the Common Cold Affects Flavor
Have you ever noticed that when you have a cold, food just doesn’t taste right? You’re not alone.

Consumers Play A Major Role in Flavor Development
Have you ever opened a bag of potato chips and thought to yourself “I wish I could have a chip that tasted like Chicken & Waffles or Sriracha?” Your wish is now a reality.

Flavor Pairing
You don’t have to be a flavor chemist to know that some foods go well together and others don’t. A 2015 study, Analysis of Food Pairing in Regional Cuisines of India, looked at why this happens, particularly in India, which is home to many regional cuisines. Food pairing, as described by the study, is the “compatibility of two ingredients in a recipe in terms of their shared flavor compounds.” “We quantify food pairing with the help of flavor profiles of ingredients. Flavor profile represents a set of volatile compounds that render the characteristic taste and smell to the ingredient.”

Texture Tools: A Key to Flavoring
Words like salty, sweet, sour, and bitter describe common flavor taste perceptions, but taste alone does not make up your entire flavor experience. Other aspects like appearance, aroma, sound, and texture also contribute to a flavor’s taste.

What Flavors Meat and Why We Crave It
For many of us, the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan or burgers smoking on the grill makes our mouths water. What is it that flavors meat and leaves us craving more?

Putting Flavor First
Here’s a challenge: Create a heart-healthy, low sodium, low calorie dish that everyone will crave. Ready, Set, Go! This is the task for chefs today who are looking to meet customers’ health expectations without sacrificing flavor.

Neurogastronomy: Flavors Engage the Brain
Think about the last time you had a cold with a stuffed up nose, limiting your sense of smell, and you tried to eat your favorite food. Didn't quite taste the same did it?