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Ooooohay, we are BAAAACK. New episodes. Fresh brain. Rested bod. And huge thank yous to everyone who supports here and makes the show possible -- and who gave me the courage and reassurance I needed to take care of myself. Reading your comments on that video really helped me as I took time off to heal my lungs and get my anxiety levels back down to a healthy baseline. Thank you thank you thank you. More to come about that break in the future, but for now:

An episode on TASTE. Your buds, your brains, your preferences, hot things, salty things, sweet teeth, flim-flam, cats, candles, and so much more.

Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves what you thought of it, or what surprised you. It's so great to be back and serving up fresh stuff for your ears.

Down the hatch,

Ol' New Ward

Ps: I have to add in an edit to remind people not to embark on the beef fat diet that was promoted by a notorious rapscallion and funded by the American Meat Association 100 years ago. I thought that was self-explanatory but I did get a letter saying I needed to clarify that it was not a good idea. So a micro aside will be added and uploaded tomorrow.

Files

Gustology (TASTE) with Dr. Gary Beauchamp - alie ward

Sweet! Salty! Umami? What's up with MSG? Why do you like your coffee black? Come down to flavortown and let's talk tongues. Gustologist Dr. Gary Beauchamp is a chemosensory scientist and an expert in taste. We chat about tastebud flim-flam, celebrity grade hot wings, MSG research, excitotoxins, wean

Comments

BAT5Y

YAY DAD WARD! WELCOME BACK! 👍 Glad you are better :)

Chris Moore

So happy to have you back and even happier that you took the time you needed ❤️ Mid-episode now: what a gem!

Michael MacLeod

Question from my girlfriend Sylvia (FTQA): Aside from taste and texture, are there any other factors that contribute to a food's overall flavour?

Chris Brewer

Welcome back! You were missed.

Jared Cousino

As an apprentice flavor chemist, I gotta say, this episode was fun

WiGeekMom

Welcome back! You sound great! From now on you will take more vacations. Right? RIGHT?!? 😄💜

Anna Thompson

Welcome back! I'm so glad you took the time you needed. I might be imagining it but I feel like your voice in the intro had more pep then some points in the interview. Either way I'm so excited to have my favorite nerdy ear friend back!

Ma's Nature Walks

Soooo many questions! Why does COVID influence taste and smell? And why does it seem to permanently influence those senses? (Asking for myself) Is it true that kids' sense of taste is different than adults' because their tastebuds are closer together? Does our gut biom influence our sense of taste?

Nathan-Andrew

Yay! Woo! Our Dadward has recovered and returned! And you see: we’re still here. Besides, listening to those repeats was good. Each episode has SO MUCH INFO that there’s no way to absorb it all in one go. And honestly, I needed to hear that diabetes one again. For reasons. Want to hear something weird, and relevant to this topic? I have been ordered to eat more salt, despite my high blood pressure. For some reason, which 2 specialists and 2 GPs have been unable to identify, my bod can’t hold on to enough salt. It’s medically necessary for me to eat the extra-salty pretzels. Now if only I could get my insurance to cover them.

Alycia king

Halfway through this episode, I took a break and ran to the store to get a bunch of condiments to help add flavour to my stepdad’s meals. He’s in a nursing home and complains about the food to the point he won’t eat. I always assumed it was the dementia and health issues but maybe he really just needs flavours and salts. So thanks for this!

Rik

Soooo glad to see you in my in box again! Just got the new one and plan to digest this one tomorrow.

Rob Worman

I always like your witty asides Alie, but an actual LoL is quite rare from me. "smelly cat, what are they feeding you? carbs." that one got me. chef's kiss! glad to have you back.

Gretchen Schroeder

Question: going through at least three generations of women in my family; we have an aversion to the bitter flavor of beer (and coffee). We do all love sour flavors, and some bitter leaning foods like grapefruit. Is this a thing, is it possibly genetic, and/or female dominant?

Katie Hultman

I hope seeing how many of us tuned in for this makes you feel a little better about taking breaks when you need them! What a fun episode! I can confirm, even just 9 years ago, amino based formula is the most horrific thing you can put in your mouth. My husband would gag making the bottles. And the baby poops were real gross. We would have been way more miserable without that formula though. Yay science!

Alie Ward

The episode is already up and we do address some of these!

Alie Ward

Whoa! Any adrenal issues? POTS?

Alie Ward

Aww, that's amazing! Also tell him to chew longer -- flavor takes a bit longer to build in our tongues as we age

Alie Ward

We talk about this in the episode! You're probably super tasters. Listen and you'll love that part.

Alie Ward

Thank you so so so much. Also that formula sounds like Satan's coffee creamer.

Alie Ward

Oh, this one is already recorded and went live today! But hi, Sylvia! We talk about umami flavors in this one, too.

Susan G

I am so happy you were able to have that time to rest, we are always here to support you for whatever you need. And breaks are essential!

Susan G

I really enjoyed this episode. And I spent a lot of time thinking how very cool and complex it is that we all have our own individual taste preferences. Things that I hate, other people love, and the reverse.

Nathan-Andrew

Heh, it’s complicated. I have some expressions of those conditions, but nothing quite matches up. It frustrates my poor doctors no end!

Adam Drake

Welcome back! I hope you got lots of rest and relaxation.

Cortnie

So glad you’re feeling better, Alie!! We missed you! Question- I’ve been on a plant based diet for several years and haven’t had bacon until a few weeks ago. I remember it tasting sooo good before I changed my diet, but when I took a lil bite I had to spit it out! I did NOT like the way it tasted! WHY? I remember it being so good, but the smell and taste was “eew” when I tried it. How and why did that happen! Also how do I get my son to like vegetables?

Alie Ward

We already did the interview but the answers on salt will probably help you! And kiddos tend to taste bitter more strongly, so maybe veer away from the veggies that have more of those compounds, like Brussels sprouts!

Levin Dotimas

Welcome back! And wow I felt kinda called out by the discussion on diet sodas haha (it’s ok)

Hot Baker Chick

WELCOME BACK!! I missed you so very much AND I'm sooooooooo glad you prioritized YOU! This episode was brilliant (duh) and made me feel great about my kale/sprout/IPA loving self. You are a gift to all of us and especially to yourself. Be well!

ScienceInTheArt

I remember this theory that smelling was a part of tasting many years ago in grade school. In fact, it was in my science book and we were challenged by our science teacher to try tasting our food while holding our nose. So I tried this at the dinner table, and my stepmom asked me “is it that bad, Jim?”.

Allison P

Y'all. I was so shook learning cats can't taste sweet things. My cat, Cookie Dough, absolutely loves ice cream (and guacamole, and all human food really). My partner and I were listening in the car and I couldn't get over it. I was so happy to hear it's likely the fat they're interested in (guessing this also explains her love of guac, but who doesn't love gauc).

E.G. Gidner

Re the taste of Paxlovid- I describe it this way: imagine you found a penny buried in the mud under the swing set on an elementary school playground. Now imagine you pick it up and suck on it. That’s Paxlovid!

Chaz Webb

I was told that if you don't like coffee, red wine and beer it's often to do with being able to taste the tannins in them, which adds to the bitterness!

Alie Ward

IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME TOO LEVIN.

Alie Ward

Really happy to be back, and feeling so much better. I don't think I've felt this little stress in years and years. Just needed a little reset.

Alie Ward

Ah, yes! It's that tasty tasty fat!

Alie Ward

Yes! Don't let anyone call you a wimp for having a more refined palate.

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

I keep telling my cat that he doesn't have the taste receptors for sweets but he doesn't believe me. I can not eat tapioca pudding in peace.

Marc Albert

Happy return, Dad Ward! I have been an unpatronizing lurker-listener for so long and your break was the shock my system needed to push me into becoming a patron - you’re the best, this show is my fave, and allow me to join the chorus in wishing you many restful breaks ahead so you can sustain this brilliant mess!

Potato Puffer

Have cars become the primary predator of animals like deer?

Pidgey koto

I have a theory about why cats may like something sweet! I think it has to do with the texture. Many cats get bored and will start licking things like walls or plastic bags; in extreme cases this can turn into pica. My cat in particular prefers to drink water off of the textured bathtub floor. She LOVES watermelon, ice cream, and pudding (I share a very little bit so she doesn't get sick & research every ingredient). Food texture can be a deciding factor of enjoyment with people and I think it maters to other animals too.

OtterKhaos (KrisP)

I know I say this every time, but this might be my new favorite episode! And the timing was uncanny. I had just caught the 'rona and for 24 hours I lost my senses of smell and taste. That was horrible!! And after that I've now nearly all but lost my cravings for sweets which is huge considering how much of chocolate fanatic I was before this "reset." It's been a few weeks and when I have what I used to eat (misfits bar, belliwelli bar, etc) it just doesn't hit me like it used to. I'm ok with this though, haha Better for my gut! But, in related news, the whole reason I came here to post is did y'all see this??? https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/sixth-kind-of-taste-identified-in-popular-scandinavian-food-379603

Jonathan Ayer

So glad to have Alli back! I'm surprised that the conversation about cilantro didn't come up. There's been a debate about the reason that cilantro tastes like SOAP to so many of us and latest research I believe points to a genetic cause in something like 20% of people I believe. There's nothing worse than dipping into a cilantro stuffed salsa to find it tastes like dish detergent!🤢