logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2015
27m 27s

Crunch, Crackle, and Pop

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley
About this episode
“Sound is the forgotten flavor sense,” says experimental psychologist Charles Spence. In this episode, we discover how manipulating sound can transform our experience of food and drink, making stale potato chips taste fresh, adding the sensation of cream to black coffee, or boosting the savory, peaty notes in whiskey. Composers have written music to go with ... Show More
Up next
Sep 8
Plant Milk Proliferation: Oat, Soy, Almond, and More, But Which Is Best?
Cow milk is out, and plant milk reigns supreme. At least, that's how it feels in the supermarket these days, where the refrigerated section is full of "milk" made from oats, almonds, peanuts, coconuts, soy, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and even peas, with new plants being milked s ... Show More
48m 52s
Aug 18
So Hot Right Now: Why We Love the Chile Pepper
Perhaps no other plant is as entwined with pain and pleasure as the chile pepper. But why does it burn—and why on earth do we crave that uncomfortable sensation? How did capsaicin's fungus-fighting, digestion-enhancing, and adrenaline-triggering powers convince early hunter gathe ... Show More
48m 24s
Aug 4
Salad Days: A Story of Science, Sexism, and Jell-O
If leafy greens and a little vinaigrette is salad, and chicken with mayo is salad, and vegetables in Jello-O are ALSO salad… What exactly is salad?! That's the big question we're tackling this episode—and it takes us down some unexpected rabbit holes. Listen in now to hear how ‘s ... Show More
44m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
Eating With Our Ears: The Sound of Food
How does sound influence the way we eat, drink and taste? We discover our hearing makes a bigger contribution to flavour than we think. Mike Johnson explores the concept of 'sonic seasoning' - the idea that different sounds can accentuate the sweetness, bitterness or spiciness of ... Show More
26m 28s
May 2024
Gastropod: Why are restaurants so loud? Plus the science behind the perfect playlist
When you go out for a meal, it’s not just what's on your plate that matters, it's what's in your eardrums, too. From dining rooms so loud you have to shout to be heard, to playlists that sound like a generic Millennial Spotify account, it's not surprising that sound is the single ... Show More
44m 3s
Jul 2018
Music and Food: Sounds Delicious!
Dan Saladino explores the relationship between tunes and taste with Andi Oliver on the link between Sam Cooke and roast chicken and chef Stephen Harris on food and The Buzzcocks. Produced and presented by Dan Saladino. 
28m 13s
Jun 2023
Sonic seasoning
Can sound make your food taste better? Neil and Beth discuss. 
6m 15s
Aug 2020
Five Senses
We experience more than what we see. CONSUME: “How to Meet and Dance with Your Death” by Larissa Shmailo (http://larissashmailo.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-meet-and-dance-with-your-death.html) CREATE: Write 200-400 words about a meal. It can be eating the meal, preparing the meal ... Show More
40m 57s
Sep 2022
Focus – How We Taste
How do we taste? What evolutionary benefit is there to tasting bitter and sour? And why should you think about wearing noise-cancelling headphones on planes if you want to enjoy your food?      In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she unc ... Show More
26m 58s
Aug 2021
OSPod Episode 23: Romans, Stars, and Food For Days (Feat. Tasting History)
<p>Max Miller of Tasting History joins Red, Blue, and Indigo for a hungry hungry episode! We talk Romans, we talk constellations, and we talk a wholeee lot of food. Ever wanted a prophecy for your coffee? How about a menu for your next historical gala? Find all that and more in t ... Show More
1h 3m
Apr 2022
Listen Again: The Food Connection
Original broadcast date: September 3, 2021. Food is one of life's greatest pleasures, yet many of our food systems are flawed. This hour, TED speakers look to the past to reconnect with what we eat, and the present to reimagine our food future. Guests include forager Alexis Nikol ... Show More
50m 32s