Stay Curious, Dream, & Do.
Did you know, most animals can detect macronutrients in food just by using taste? In fact, the content of food can typically be predicted on the basis of the *taste of amino acids.* Consistent with this, most amino acids have a taste, which makes some of them important as taste-active components in food.
Recently, I dreamed up the idea of having an Amino Acid Tasting Dinner Party and did just that! Consuming amino acids is actually completely safe. In fact, one amino acid – Glutamate – has entered widespread use in the culinary world.
During the party, guests had the opportunity to taste 20 essential amino acids in food safe test tubes. Everyone recorded the way each amino acid tasted – ranging from sweet, bitter, savory, or even just plain weird – and then shared their tasting experiences with the group. Guests also enjoyed various creative & tasting experience courses that I prepared for the party.
Stay tuned! The party was a huge hit, inspiring a lot of conversation in various social circles. With numerous requests for another, there will most definitely be another Amino Acid Tasting Party!
Why does this even matter? A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in processing different amino acids in humans may open new avenues for uses of these amino acids as flavor, nutritive, and therapeutic agents (i.e., taste & appetite).
