The largest family of gens in our genom is devoted to smell. It's better to smell the bear before you're close enough to taste it. We have about 400 differet receptors, but we can smell thousands upon thousands Of different odor molecules. The flavor industry will synthesize a new molecule that has never existed in nature before.
How good is food in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Jordan Klepper feast on food science and the challenges we face sending food to space with chef Alton Brown, food chemist Dr. Arielle Johnson and NASA food scientist Dr. Grace Douglas.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/food-in-space-with-alton-brown-and-guests/
Thanks to our Patrons Jeni Morrow, Hyrule Ok, blufor, Timothy Dalby, John Turnham, SkellyIRL, and Chuck H for supporting us this week.
Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography from USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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