Comments on: Flavors and Smells: Why the Inconsistent Attitudes? http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html A Historian's Take on Food and Food Politics Fri, 5 Dec 2008 10:15:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rachel Laudan http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-538 Rachel Laudan Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:13:13 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-538 Good to have your comment, Ji Young. I'd bet the aroma side of the industry is just praying that no one makes the connection. Good to have your comment, Ji Young. I’d bet the aroma side of the industry is just praying that no one makes the connection.

]]> By: Ji Young Park http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-531 Ji Young Park Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:35:22 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-531 "So can anyone explain why the first are thought to be an abomination and the second are thought to enhance the home?" PR and marketing? There isn't a body of "literature" on the "evils" of artificial scents like there is on artificial ingredients in food. “So can anyone explain why the first are thought to be an abomination and the second are thought to enhance the home?”

PR and marketing?

There isn’t a body of “literature” on the “evils” of artificial scents like there is on artificial ingredients in food.

]]> By: Rachel Laudan http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-515 Rachel Laudan Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:50:59 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-515 Hi, Helena, What a lovely surprise to have your comment. I think putting your comment together with Silvestro's explains a lot. But sometimes I wonder if people even realize when they buy , let's say, aroma of pine woods for the home, or pot pourri for Christmas, that these are not extracted from pine, wine, nutmeg and cinnamon. What do you think? Hi, Helena, What a lovely surprise to have your comment. I think putting your comment together with Silvestro’s explains a lot.

But sometimes I wonder if people even realize when they buy , let’s say, aroma of pine woods for the home, or pot pourri for Christmas, that these are not extracted from pine, wine, nutmeg and cinnamon. What do you think?

]]> By: Helena Clemitson http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-514 Helena Clemitson Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:33:08 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-514 Re. taste and smells, real and artificial: food is eaten, absorbed and becomes the person whereas aromas only sniffed. That could be why people react differently towards each. Re. taste and smells, real and artificial: food is eaten, absorbed and becomes the person whereas aromas only sniffed. That could be why people react differently towards each.

]]> By: Rachel Laudan http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-494 Rachel Laudan Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:08:53 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-494 Hi Judith. I admit total ignorance. What is methocel? I love Aki and Alex's work. I also think that many of the unsung research chefs working for corporations are doing fascinating work. I absolutely agree this is a fascinating time. And this is where the action is in food right now. Hi Judith. I admit total ignorance. What is methocel? I love Aki and Alex’s work. I also think that many of the unsung research chefs working for corporations are doing fascinating work.

I absolutely agree this is a fascinating time. And this is where the action is in food right now.

]]> By: Judith Klinger http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-474 Judith Klinger Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:34:16 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-474 Ciao Rachel. I hope the protest has quieted down and brava! on the Saveur article. But, so many lab products do show up in our food. I've got a few sacs of methocel sitting in my cabinet, next to the vanilla bean. There is a strong, avant garde movement that is making use of both the natural and the chemical. Aki and Alex from Ideas in Food are probably the poster children for this movement. And anyone who has used truffle oil is most likely using a wonderful chemical concoction. It's an exciting time in the world of food, boundaries are being pushing in all sorts of directions. Scent is a logical component of enjoying food, but what about auditory stimulus? Fun to think about. Ciao Rachel. I hope the protest has quieted down and brava! on the Saveur article.

But, so many lab products do show up in our food. I’ve got a few sacs of methocel sitting in my cabinet, next to the vanilla bean. There is a strong, avant garde movement that is making use of both the natural and the chemical. Aki and Alex from Ideas in Food are probably the poster children for this movement. And anyone who has used truffle oil is most likely using a wonderful chemical concoction.
It’s an exciting time in the world of food, boundaries are being pushing in all sorts of directions. Scent is a logical component of enjoying food, but what about auditory stimulus? Fun to think about.

]]> By: Rachel Laudan http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-453 Rachel Laudan Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:25:29 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-453 Hi Ken, thanks for the comments on the Saveur article. It was a long time in the making. I hope to see it one day! Yes, I agree that your average air freshener or candle has an awful smell and that artificial vanilla is not as good as real vanilla which I use religiously. But where we differ, Ken, is that I think the chemical industry is on the right track and you think it will never lead anywhere. I find the chemists and chefs who are working with tastes and flavors are very smart, very aware of what needs to be done. And I think all kinds of interesting things will result. Hi Ken, thanks for the comments on the Saveur article. It was a long time in the making. I hope to see it one day!

Yes, I agree that your average air freshener or candle has an awful smell and that artificial vanilla is not as good as real vanilla which I use religiously. But where we differ, Ken, is that I think the chemical industry is on the right track and you think it will never lead anywhere. I find the chemists and chefs who are working with tastes and flavors are very smart, very aware of what needs to be done. And I think all kinds of interesting things will result.

]]> By: Ken http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-452 Ken Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:03:13 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-452 I think you're missing the point that your average vanilla yankee candle or glade scent air freshener is truly overpoweringly awful. Much like the artifical flavors is instant Nestle coffee. I will venture to say, if you pop a piece of vanilla bean in a cup or a cinnamon stick, the subtlety and aroma is aetherial, while the chemical versions don't even begin to match the subtlety and complexity. They're one note. Rachel, the chemical industry has figured a few things out, admittedly, but the complexity of aroma is not among them. BUT ON ANOTHER TOPIC! THIS MORNING DID YOU ALL SEE RACHEL"S KITCHEN IN SAVEUR?? IT WAS GREAT. AND THE PICTURE OF YOU IS MARVELLOUS. Ken I think you’re missing the point that your average vanilla yankee candle or glade scent air freshener is truly overpoweringly awful. Much like the artifical flavors is instant Nestle coffee. I will venture to say, if you pop a piece of vanilla bean in a cup or a cinnamon stick, the subtlety and aroma is aetherial, while the chemical versions don’t even begin to match the subtlety and complexity. They’re one note. Rachel, the chemical industry has figured a few things out, admittedly, but the complexity of aroma is not among them.

BUT ON ANOTHER TOPIC! THIS MORNING DID YOU ALL SEE RACHEL”S KITCHEN IN SAVEUR?? IT WAS GREAT. AND THE PICTURE OF YOU IS MARVELLOUS.

Ken

]]> By: Rachel Laudan http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-451 Rachel Laudan Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:38:19 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-451 Silvestro, Therapy seems a great answer. thanks. Kay, I agree, I see no problem with artificial aromas. I'm a No. 5 Chanel fan and I believe I read somewhere that that is the first perfume made with lab chemicals. And I think the sharp distinction between natural and artificial is nuts. Judith, great to have you commenting. No problem at all with aromas. I'd love some of yours. But my question is why so many reject lab products in food and not in home aromas or personal perfumes. Just seems inconsistent. But then perhaps Silvestro has the answer. And next time I see Ken, I'll have to sniff him carefully. Silvestro, Therapy seems a great answer. thanks. Kay, I agree, I see no problem with artificial aromas. I’m a No. 5 Chanel fan and I believe I read somewhere that that is the first perfume made with lab chemicals. And I think the sharp distinction between natural and artificial is nuts. Judith, great to have you commenting. No problem at all with aromas. I’d love some of yours. But my question is why so many reject lab products in food and not in home aromas or personal perfumes. Just seems inconsistent. But then perhaps Silvestro has the answer.

And next time I see Ken, I’ll have to sniff him carefully.

]]> By: Judith Klinger http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-450 Judith Klinger Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:12:22 +0000 http://www.rachellaudan.com/2008/03/flavors-and-smells-why-the-inconsistent-attitudes.html#comment-450 Hi. OK, disclosure, I do have the word aroma in my blog/business. Those heart shaped things could be an absorbing block for essential oils. I've used wood chips in a bag to make a moth repellent (camphor, lemongrass and lavender essential oils). The scent of lavender is calming, sleep inducing. Citrus aroma is alleged to sharpen your focus and concentration. Rose scent may improve memory. Frankincense produces an acute desire to visit musty churches. Scent is very powerful and a 'natural' adjunct to an interest in holistic philosophy, so not that odd to have some scents hanging around the apartment. Little blocks of "Fresh Caribbean Sea Breeze", well, they just smell weird. Ciao! Judith Hi. OK, disclosure, I do have the word aroma in my blog/business.
Those heart shaped things could be an absorbing block for essential oils. I’ve used wood chips in a bag to make a moth repellent (camphor, lemongrass and lavender essential oils).
The scent of lavender is calming, sleep inducing. Citrus aroma is alleged to sharpen your focus and concentration. Rose scent may improve memory. Frankincense produces an acute desire to visit musty churches.

Scent is very powerful and a ‘natural’ adjunct to an interest in holistic philosophy, so not that odd to have some scents hanging around the apartment. Little blocks of “Fresh Caribbean Sea Breeze”, well, they just smell weird.
Ciao!
Judith

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