Guest post by Nessa Riazi Photo credit: Coffeechemistry.com Discovered in Ethiopia around 850 AD [1], coffee has continued to excite the tastebuds of its many admirers. Sneaking its way into tiramisu, ice creams, and meat marinades, this brewed beverage contributes a complex array of flavors to modern-day gastronomy. What is the science behind coffee’s alluring … Continue reading
With origins in China dating back to over 4,000 years ago, green tea stands as the world’s oldest plant-based drink. It may very well also be the most chemically complex. With over 600 identified aroma compounds, the actual flavor of your cup of green tea depends on where the tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) were grown, … Continue reading
Guest post by Christina Jayson When my organic chemistry professor told me that the main molecular component of chocolate, theobromine, differs from caffeine only by the absence of one methyl group I was delighted: I could skip an entire step in caffeine metabolism, avoid the bitter taste of coffee, and increase my chocolate consumption. It … Continue reading
Supermarket strawberries have become bland through decades of agriculture, so now scientists are figuring out how to bring its flavor back. In the meantime, that banana isn’t going to help with your caffeine jitters. Continue reading
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