Why do fatty foods go with sour ones?

Why do fatty foods go with sour ones? - Closeup of slice of fresh juicy bright lemon placed on smooth pink surface

Why do fatty foods tend to go with acids?

Mayonnaise and hollandaise contain lemon juice, and fatty fish tends to be served with lemon. Barbecue pork and pork belly are sometimes served with a vinegar-based sauce. I've also heard that fatty foods should be paired with acidic wines.

Is there something about the way we taste fat or the way we digest it that makes us crave sourness?



Best Answer

In regards to the general question, our brains are wired to like fats; they are compact sources of energy. However, too much fat in a given dish can feel unpleasant in the mouth, and acid washes that away (in terms of perception, the same way that adding sugars changes the perception of how acidic something is). I believe (by which I mean this is what I think, with no evidentiary basis whatsoever) this is a learned response, but I could very well be wrong.

The pairing of acids with fish, however, does have a scientific basis. According to the bible:

"Acid conditions cause heavy-smelling aldehydes, which accentuate the fishiness of TMA, to react with water molecules and become nonvolatile, so that lighter alcohols dominate the aroma."

(2004 edition, p. 238, hardcover)




Pictures about "Why do fatty foods go with sour ones?"

Why do fatty foods go with sour ones? - Top view of halves of fresh juicy lemon composed on pink background in sunbeams
Why do fatty foods go with sour ones? - From above half of fresh sliced lemon placed in pink background in bright sunlight
Why do fatty foods go with sour ones? - Fresh sliced lemon on pink background



Why do the fatty foods we eat taste good?

Fats help you enjoy the taste of food because they're able to dissolve and concentrate flavor and odor chemicals. These chemicals are released into the air by the heat of cooking. That's why you can taste sizzling bacon even before you eat it \u2013 because some of the flavor molecules are already in your nose and mouth.

What does fat do to taste buds?

Scientists have believed that people identify those high-fat foods mainly by texture, but this study suggests that the presence of fat can change the way our tongues perceive the food, just as it does for the tastes sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory (umami).

What is the sourest food in the world?

The umeboshi plum is widely regarded as the sourest food, though it's acidity level fluctuates from plum to plum.

What is the flavor fat called?

It's called oleogustus, and it's the unique taste of fat, says Richard D. Mattes, distinguished professor of nutrition science at Purdue University and one of the authors of the study.



Why Eating Fat Won't Make You Gain Weight




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska