Menu 1: What Does "Deliciousness" Mean? - Mechanism of Tasting ｜ IT'S A TASTY WORLD - FOOD SCIENCE, NOW!

Exhibition Outline

Menu 1: What Does "Deliciousness" Mean? - Mechanism of Tasting

menu1.jpgWhat determines "deliciousness?" Is that simply "taste?" Or are "smell" and "appearance" also important?
To find out the mechanism behind thinking something is delicious, we will study it scientifically from the point of the physiology of gustation, brain science and food physics. We will also focus on the cutting-edge technology that measures the level of taste and food processing technologies that create delectable smells, color and texture. Is the deliciousness that you feel actually authentic?

The moment you put a piece of food in your mouth, your taste sensations are triggered!

The moment the food is in your mouth, everything begins! (5 basic flavors)）(c)Umami Information CenterThe moment you put a piece of food in your mouth, your taste sensations are triggered!
There are various words, which express flavors. However, tastes, which the human body can recognize, only have 5 basic variations.
And these 5 tastes play an important role for humans to "survive."
In this exhibit, the visitors will learn the mechanism of how you actually "feel" taste by wearing a tongue costume.

Deliciousness is happiness (Deliciousness you feel with the brain)

DeliciousnessDeliciousness is happiness
Now, as the substance in the brain that is released when people feel deliciousness is being revealed, we will find out scientifically that deliciousness equals happiness.

Taste of Japan, taste of mom (UMAMI)

Flavor of JapanTaste of Japan, taste of mom
From the 5 basic tastes, the final taste that was discovered is called "UMAMI."
We will focus on the scientific roles of "UMAMI" which was discovered by the Japanese people and is deeply related to Japanese tradition and culture.

Is the taste virtual? - Pudding + Soy Sauce = Sea Urchin (Taste sensor development research)

Is flavor virtual?Is the taste virtual?
The Taste sensor was developed by reference to the human taste mechanism. Without focusing on the elements of food, it can scientifically and objectively measure taste. What are the results? Could the taste be virtual? When a certain taste is put together with a different taste, it totally becomes a new taste! Based on the combination of taste, we have created an imaginary interesting product.

The smell of barbecued meat is enough to stimulate your appetite! (Flavor)

You can eat rice as much as you wish only with The smell of barbecued meat is enough to stimulate your appetite! (Flavor)
Scent is inherent in deliciousness. Processed food, which takes time to reach the mouths of people, may change its scent due to various reasons. Let's experience the type of flavor used to eat comfortably.

Nothing beats appearance! (Food and Color)

Nothing beats appearance! (Food and color)Nothing beats appearance! (Food and Color)
Appropriate colors for each food have an effect in increasing appetite. What if food comes in colors which are completely different from what you imagined? We will question the relationship between food and colors.

‘Delicious’ secrets of chocolate (Food physics)

The secrets of deliciousness in chocolate (Food physics)‘Delicious’ secrets of chocolate (Food physics)
Have you heard of "food physics?" It is a cutting-edge research field where you analyze food from the point of physics such as structure, size, temperature, pressure, etc.
Chocolate makes you happy. With this piece of chocolate, what kind of calculation and design is involved? We will focus on the secrets of chocolate’s deliciousness.