Bloody Marys could possibly hold the title as the only appetizing item on an airplane, if researchers in London are correct about certain flavors being enhanced and diminished during specific conditions — such as being thousands of feet in the air, in close proximity to loud engines.
Barry Smith, founder of the Center for the Study of the Senses at the University of London, and his colleagues believe that the tomato-based drink is heavy on the umami (a flavor, the Los Angeles Times reports, that often goes hand in hand with meats, cheese, and vegetables), and thus tastes better in the air than most other items. Researchers have thought for a very long time now that loud noises interfere with the ability to taste the flavor of food, which is why airline meals often don't taste that great, Smith and his team report in the journal Flavour. It's possible that umami is not affected by noise or low air pressure, making Bloody Marys a popular onboard choice.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appealSpeed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
