How Metallic Properties Affect Taste

Next time you go to pick out cutlery for dinner, think about how it will affect the taste — seriously. At London's Institute of Making, Dr. Zoe Laughlin and Professor Mark Miodownik are exploring the "sensoaesthetic properties of materials." In other words, how do materials, like different types of metals, taste. And more importantly as far as we're concerned — how do they alter the taste of our food? The duo created one spoon in seven different metals (from copper to stainless steel) and tested various foods with it. Dr. Laughlin then hosted a dinner in London for gourmands and scientists using the set of spoons. It comes as no surprise that the solid gold spoon was preferred by all (with tin coming in a close second). Now if only we could get our hands on a set of gold cutlery...

Via UCL Engineering