Professor Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, talks about his food experiments, working with Heston Blumenthal, childhood experiences with food and their impact, low fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK, comfort foods like spicy pasta, and death row and desert island meals.
Understanding the multi-sensory nature of food can enhance the overall eating experience.
Leveraging sound and technology, like smartphones, can modify the perception of taste in food.
Deep dives
The Multi-Sensory Experience of Food
Professor Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist and gastro physicist, discusses the multi-sensory nature of food. He explains how food engages all of our senses, including sight, sound, smell, taste, and texture. Professor Spence shares his research on how different sensory stimuli, such as color, sound, and texture, can influence our perception and enjoyment of food. He also discusses collaborations with world-renowned chefs like Heston Blumenthal, where scientific insights have been applied to create unique dining experiences. Overall, the podcast highlights the importance of understanding how our senses interact with food to enhance the overall eating experience.
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Food Experiences
Professor Spence explores the intersection of technology and food experiences. He discusses the limitations of current technological advancements such as robot chefs and 3D food printing, suggesting that they may not have practical long-term benefits. Instead, he focuses on the potential of ubiquitous technology like smartphones to enhance taste experiences through sonic seasoning. By leveraging sound, Professor Spence and his team have demonstrated how certain sounds can modify the perception of taste in food. He also discusses the use of AI-generated images of food and how it affects consumers' perception and enjoyment of food on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Understanding Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Professor Spence examines the challenges and confusion surrounding fruit and vegetable consumption. He cites a study that reveals only one in four Brits consume the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. The podcast delves into factors such as portion confusion, cost, and availability that contribute to this low consumption rate. Professor Spence emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to encourage healthier eating habits. Additionally, he highlights the growing interest in alternative food formats, such as gummies, as a potential means to increase fruit and vegetable intake.
Personal Preferences and Experimental Food
Professor Spence discusses his personal preferences and experiences with food. He shares that his research has influenced his taste preferences, particularly towards herbs, spices, and ingredients that enhance flavor without negative health consequences. He also talks about experimental dining experiences, both at home and with renowned chefs like Heston Blumenthal. These experiments involve exploring the impact of naming, color, texture, and presentation on food perception and enjoyment. Professor Spence highlights the role of collaboration between scientists and chefs in pushing the boundaries of culinary experiences.
Professor Charles Spence is an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on how an in-depth understanding of the human mind will lead to the better design of multi-sensory foods and products. He is the author of several books including his most recent, Sensehacking: How to Use the Power of Your Senses for Happier, Healthier Living.
On this episode he talks about how he started experimenting with food and the human senses, working with Heston Blumenthal, and how he doesn't understand ice-cream.
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