Toe in the Water

Temperature Concerns

Temperature Concerns

I find it interesting that food and drink taste differently according to their temperature. For instance, and this was the cause of my reflections on the matter, a Coke straight from the fridge tastes very different from one at room temperature. As far as I know, this is not the result of some chemical change in the constituents of the drink. So is it, perhaps, that the cold liquid has partially anaesthetised the taste buds and their report to the brain is altered as a result, our perception of its taste changing with the difference in neuron excitement experienced?

Or could it be that the nerves are already busy in transmitting the sensation of a sudden drop in temperature and so have less room for the accompanying taste sensation? It is certainly true that Coke tastes differently according to its temperature; I don’t think there can be any doubt of that, especially because most people would far rather have a cold Coke than a warmish one.

Admittedly in my chosen example, the previously-mentioned Coke, things are a little complicated by the additional sensation of those sparkling bubbles fizzing away merrily on the tongue. But that’s okay - I think the same reflections could be evinced by the difference between a warm pizza and yesterday’s from the fridge. And even though I, unlike most people, prefer a cold pizza, the fact remains that they do taste subtly different.

So I think my premise that temperature affects the taste of foodstuffs is proven. But the real point of this piece is really to illustrate the weird things my mind gets up to when it has nothing better to do. Maybe we’re all like that.

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